Cassandra's Challenge (88 page)

“Thank you. Are you prepared to continue your
Challenge?” Cassandra looks at Yakira for a moment than walks to
the center of the platform.

“Assemblyman Terwilliger, I don’t believe I have
anything else to say concerning the Challenge.”

“Then Princess Cassandra the only thing left is
for you to reveal your birthmark.” Everyone in the Assembly sits
forward as Cassandra’s hand moves to her boot.

“She must dissolve her Union first!” Cassandra’s
hand freezes. Her eyes cold as she finds the voice, Assemblyman
Oschofield of the House of Knowledge.

“Excuse me?” Her voice is frigid stabbing
Oschofield.

“The heir to the throne
must
marry within
her House. Admiral Zafar is of the House of Protection.” Cassandra
says nothing just looks at Terwilliger.

“I’m sorry Princess it
is
the law.”

“Just so we are all clear.” Cassandra looks from
Terwilliger to the Royals, seeing the regret in Jotham’s eyes, to
the Assemblymen, to the balconies. “You are saying I must choose
between my husband and the throne.”

“Yes, your Union must be dissolved.” Turning
from the Assembly she walks to William, who stands at her
approach.

“I’m ready to go.” Ignoring those watching
William frames her face with his hands, looking deep into her eyes,
seeing the truth.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

“Guards!” The Admiral’s voice commands. Security
immediately surrounds them. “Marat, you have point.” As the group
starts to move out Yakira stands.

“What are you doing!?!” She demands. Cassandra
puts a hand on William’s arm.

“Marat.” He halts Marat as Cassandra walks to
Queen Yakira.

“The throne is yours. This Challenge is ended. I
will not sacrifice my husband for it.” She looks to the Assembly
and knows she has something that must be said. Walking forward she
starts.

“Twenty-five hundred years ago, a man and a
woman fell in love, a Prince and a Princess, but because they were
from different Houses a Union was denied. They were ordered to
marry others. Instead of submitting to a life of misery, they left,
together. Your own text called them Carina’s brightest light and
its bravest warrior. Sabah and Kaydon,
my
ancestors.”

“They took what they believed to be best of
Carina, leaving behind what they saw as injustice. And they built
their own House on a planet they named Earth. They brought the
first written language and skills never before seen on the planet.
They built, created, lived and protected, each other and the family
they had.”

“Nine sons and one daughter, all went on to
become Kings and Queens on their own, creating dynasties. Creating
a civilization based on the freedom of choice and that there must
be more than just laws but justice, because without justice, your
laws, your rules and procedures mean nothing.”

“Today, you as an Assembly as a people, stood
for the people of Earth, against one of your own and found them
justice. For myself, Victoria, and the family we lost on Earth I
thank you for that.” A tear runs down Cassandra’s cheek before her
voice becomes pointed.

“But if you think, for one minute, that I would
choose a throne, a crown, a House, over my
husband
, then
you’ve learned nothing from Sabah and Kayden’s leaving. And just to
make sure we are
perfectly
clear. I choose Admiral William
Zafar. It’s my
privilege
to be his wife.” Turning she walks
to her future.

William watches his wife turn her back on the
Assembly. On what is rightfully hers, by birth, for him. Her eyes
while clear still contained the fire of what she considers a slight
against
him
. Walking out to meet her he sees Valerian charge
the platform drawing his weapon.

“Cassandra!”

Cassandra spins around just in time to see
Valerian fire his weapon, at William. In horror she watches as both
Paa and William go down, hard.

“No!” She screams.

“You will
not
take my command!” Valerian
rants as he advances on her.

On the floor William is struggling to move the
injured Paa off him. The stupid kid dove in front of him, taking
the full blast from Valerian’s weapon. He has to get to
Cassandra.

“And you!” Valerian points his weapon at
Cassandra. “You will never be a High Admiral’s wife.”

Seeing William moving, she knows he’s alive,
Valerian doesn’t. If he did he’d fire at him again. She needs to
keep his focus on her.

“What the fuck are you talking about!” Cassandra
challenges moving to the side making Valerian move his head.

“Do you think I’m stupid! That I don’t know they
voted
yesterday
to make Zafar High Admiral, to
retire
me! After all I’ve done for them, all the cycles I’ve given.”

“Like letting a traitor have free reign for over
seven cycles!”

“You with your fake challenge to the throne! All
you care about is catching Audric, so
Zafar
could become
High Admiral! That’s what this is all about!”

“So it has nothing to do with the murder of
billions
of people, people that might have been saved if
you’d
done your job!”

“Who cares about them! You used them to get what
Zafar
wanted and now you won’t show your birthmark, proof
that this was all a hoax, a hoax to discredit
me
.” As
William is finally getting free of Paa, Valerian eye catches the
movement.

“You want to see my birthmark?” Cassandra’s
sharp question distracts him from the motion. “You want proof? So
everyone here knows once and for all just what kind of man the
Admiral is?”

“Yes!”

“
Fine!” Pulling her pant leg aside
Cassandra unfastens her boot, grabbing the heel she flings it
aside. “There! Is that what you needed to see!”

No one in the Assembly moves as for the first
time nearly twenty-five hundred years the birthmark of the true
Queen is seen.

“No….that can’t be….” Valerian staggers back a
step back, shocked, he’s weapon lowering slightly.

“It can be, you sorry excuse for a leader. It
filled with color while on the Retribution, still two days from
Carina.”

Valerian’s eyes go wild as he realizes what he’s
done. He’s threatened and insulted the true Queen. Threatened and
spied on her family, in an attempt to kidnap a Royal. He’s
finished. But he won’t go down alone.

“You will never take the throne!” Bringing his
weapon up he fires.

William is the only one moving as Cassandra
reveals her birthmark. Valerian is insane and his wife is in the
line of fire. He tackles her moments before Valerian fires. Tar
fires at the same time followed by every weapon from Cassandra’s
House. Valerian is dead before he hit the floor.

“Cassandra….” William looks down at her pale
face. “Cassandra!”

Opening her eyes at William’s demand she finds
her husband’s franticly searching her face. She’s scared him.

“I’m fine,” She wheezes, “Just got the wind
knocked out of me.” As William sits them both up she wraps her arms
around him, burying her face in his chest. Her guards surround
them, weapons drawn.

“Come on,” Kissing the top of her head he
stands, lifting her with him. “Let’s get you out of here.”

“Victoria!” Her eyes search for her but can’t
see passed the guards. “William!”

“She’s in Lucas’ arms, she’s safe.” Cassandra
gives herself a second to sag against him, to draw from his
strength.

“You’re not hurt?” Her hands start to fly over
him.

“No. Paa took the full hit.” With his arm around
her he helps her hobble on one heel towards Victoria.

“How is he?” She looks at Paa being tended by
Bliant.

“Kid’s lucky,” Bliant answers the Queen’s
question. “He wore his blast jacket, otherwise he’d be dead. Still,
he’ll be hurting for a while.”

She looks at the unconscious young man, she owes
him more than she could ever repay. He’d saved her husband. His
grandfather would be proud.

“He’s to receive the best care Bliant.”

“He’ll get it Majesty.” Bliant gives her a
slight bow then turns back to his patient.

“Aunt Cassie!” Lucas continues to hold Victoria
until guards enclose them all, then releases her into her Aunt’s
arms.

“You’re okay? All of you?” Cassandra scans
Leander, Javiera, and Amina.

“Fine, we’re all fine.” They reassure her.

“Cassandra…your birthmark, it colored while you
were still on the Retribution?” Kyle grips her arm.

“What?” She frowns at him. “Yes, before we
arrived.”

“Cassandra it’s important. You’re sure?” Kyle
tightens his grip.

“Kyle, she’s sure.” William frowns at his son.
“Now we’re leaving. Guards.”

“No! Dad! Cassandra! Wait, just wait. Please!”
It’s his son’s insistence that has William pausing. Looking at
Cassandra she nods.

Kyle pushes his way through the guards to the
front of the Assembly, walking around Valerian’s now covered
body.

“Assemblyman Terwilliger! Assemblyman
Terwilliger! I need to be heard!” When he is ignored he turns.
“King Jotham!” Kyle sends Jotham a pleading look.

“Terwilliger! Recognize Kyle Zafar!” King
Jotham’s eyes will brook no argument.

Not sure any of them could take much more
Terwilliger pounds his gavel on the podium until some order of
semblance is reestablished.

“Quiet! I will have order or I will have this
hall cleared! The Assembly recognizes Scholar Kyle Zafar.”

“Assemblyman Terwilliger, there can no longer be
any doubt that the true Queen has returned. Cassandra bears the
full birthmark she
is
the Queen.”

“Scholar Zafar,” Terwilliger rubs his neck.
“While no one here argues with you that she carries the Queen’s
birthmark, the fact remains she has married outside her House. If
she refuses to dissolve her Union our hands are tied.”

“Why?”

“Why?” Terwilliger is becoming angry. “As stated
earlier the heir to the throne must marry within her own
House!”

“Of course he or she must.” Kyle agrees.

“Then what are you arguing about?!?”

“King Jotham, when did you become King?” Jotham
raises an eyebrow at the question, not sure where Kyle is
going.

“I was crowned King of the House of Protection
10 Iuil 5252.”

“No, when did you
become
King?”

“I
became
King twenty days earlier, when
my birthmark colored…” Jotham begins to see where Kyle’s going.

“Assemblyman Terwilliger, do you accept that an
heir to a throne
becomes
King or Queen when their birthmark
fills
in
,
not
when they are crowned.”

“Of course but…”

“And do you believe the statement made by
Cassandra. That her birthmark filled in when she was still on the
Retribution?”

“I see no reason to doubt her word.”

“Does anyone in this Assembly, doubt her word?”
Kyle challenges, silence greets him.

“Then I charge that this Assembly has no say
over
Queen
Cassandra’s Union. The law applies only to the
heir
to the throne, not the current Ruler. She was
Queen
before her Union, therefore the Union Law does not
apply.”

Terwilliger looks from Kyle to Cassandra and the
Admiral who have stepped out of their security to listen to Kyle.
There is nothing he’d like to do more than agree but…

“Agreed.” All heads turn to Yakira. “Once a
birthmark fills the heir
is
the Queen and the Queen may
choose anyone she wishes for her Union.”

“William…” Cassandra looks at him not sure what
she’s hearing.

“You are Queen. Cassandra it’s your birthright,
your destiny.”

“Only with you at my side, you are my destiny.”
William lifts her hand to kiss the ring on her finger.

“I will always be at your side, I told you, I’m
not letting go.”

“Okay. Then here we go.” Turning Cassandra walks
alone to the center of the platform and becomes Queen Cassandra
Qwes Zafar of the House of Knowledge.

Returning to the Royal Wing they find Hutu’s
arranged a celebration in the formal living room. Taking the glass
William hands her she waits until everyone has one, including the
guards.

“I would like to personally thank each and every
one of you. Each of you played a vital role in making my reign
possible. To Chief Marat and his men,” Cassandra names each one.
“You’ve kept us all safe and secure during some trying times.”

“Colonel Tar, your knowledge, skills and loyalty
were invaluable. Hutu, for keeping us all feed, for finding those
special things like fudge torta, and chocolate chip cookies.
Leander, your support here and on the Retribution. Amina, my new
niece, you have been a joy to know. Javiera, your support,
understanding and friendship has made difficult times easier.”

“Lucas, while there are many times I’d like to
beat you, you’ve been a good friend and someone I trust
implicitly.

“Kyle, you once said you wouldn’t be much help.
You were wrong. If it weren’t for your knowledge, I wouldn’t be
Queen.”

“Victoria, you are the bravest little girl, your
parents and grandfather would be very proud of you.”

“And to the Admiral.” She turns to her husband,
eyes full of love. “For protecting us. For knowing what needed to
be done and being willing to do it. For being my life mate and
husband, I love you.”

William listens with pride to his wife, to her
making sure everyone knows they had a hand in what happened today.
That each was vital. It is her way, and would make her a beloved
Queen, always recognizing the contributions of others. But he
hadn’t expected her to include him. Her words, full of love humble
him.