Death's Priestess

Chapter 11

I wiped the sweat from my brow as I stood back up preparing for another set. I was so focused on the sword strokes that I didn't even notice Letifer's approach. 

    "Cassie, it's time for dinner and rest," he said. I stopped mid-swing and looked at him, I only heard the last half of that sentence. "And a bath."

    "Huh?" 

    "Food, bath, and rest, Cassie," Letifer repeated. I nodded, heading over to the weapons rack I leaned my wooden sword against it and stretched. My muscles cried out from being used so much.

"A bath sounds nice," I smiled.

"I'm sure it does, you've been training with the sword non-stop for almost two months now," Letifer said.

"I need to get better if I want to kill Albert," I grunted as I cracked my neck. 

"Cassie..." he trailed off.

"Sir Gildred is moving me onto a real sword tomorrow," I said with a laugh. I turned around and headed to my room. The past two months mostly consisted of sword and bow training. Gildred had said I had a natural talent for the sword and soon I'll surpass his skills. Alessia hasn't come back either, but I heard her excited voice in my head about a week ago. I could tell she was safe and growing stronger.

"Miss," a maid gasped as I swung the door open. 

"A bath please," I smiled softly. Even though I came in looking ragged and worn every day the maids were still shocked to see me. 

"Already drawn Miss," another said coming out of the bathroom. She was drying her hands on the creamy white apron all the maids wore.

"Thank you, Sarah," I said. I walked into the bathroom and stripped the filthy, sweaty clothes off. I had numerous blue and purple bruises from being sent flying by Gildred's sword. My skin changed from a pale white to a light tan from all the time in the sun. There was almost always dirt caked under my once delicate fingers. My palms were calloused from the sword training, fingers rubbed bare from the bowstring. I no longer looked like a weak noble lady, and I no longer felt like one either. My confidence grew and I now believe that I could take Alfred's head the next time I saw him.

"Would you like assistance Miss," Sarah said, pulling me out of my thoughts. I nodded as I sat down in the porcelain tub. The water was steaming hot, relaxing my muscles immediately. The water turned a dusty brown from the dirt being scrubbed off my body and out of my hair.

"Here are the towels Sarah," a younger maid squeaked coming into the room.

"Thank you June, place them on the stool," she replied. June was a newer maid still learning the ropes. She wasn't around when I was still weak and afraid so she's a little scared of me.

"Little June?" I asked sweetly. Her brown doe-like eyes stared at me as if they were trying to figure out what I wanted before I even asked. As the youngest maid, I had decided to give her that little nickname hoping it would help her warm up to me.

"Yes Ma'am," she muttered weakly, her voice shaking.

"Good job," I smiled.

"Thank you, Miss," she grinned before giving a small bow and leaving the room.

"Would you like dinner before you rest," Sarah asked?

 "No," I yawned, "I think I'll just go straight to bed." With a only short nod, Sarah helped me out of the tub and dressed me before ushering me to bed.

Green trees whispered in the wind as the birds sang. A warm summer breeze brushed through my hair. A deep, calming, honey-like voice spoke from behind me. Without fear, I slowly turned around to greet the voice. I was expecting a man but instead, a buck stood before me. It was no ordinary buck; its flesh was stripped from its body leaving behind bones stained with the black earth. Its eyes glowed a misty blue and long sharp canines gleamed in the sunlight. A small bluebird, feathers tinged green, sat on its antlers staring at me with its mossy green eyes.

"Casandra," it repeated, "Soon you will face hardships unknown to many and have to make hard choices."

"We implore you that when the time comes you make the right choice," the bluebird cried.

"What right choice, how do I know," I shouted. The two animals began to fade as the thick mist rolled in. Within minutes the buck was gone and so was everything else. I stood alone in the darkness left with the scent of blood.

I jolted awake with sweat pouring off my face. I sat up, bending one knee and placing my left cheek against it. "Why were prophecies always so hard to understand," I muttered. From outside in the courtyard the soldiers screamed in fear. The only word I could make out was dragon, Alessia hadn't said anything about returning today so it couldn't be her. I raced over to my window, pushed it open, and leaned out to get a better view. I only saw the tail as it circled around the castle. As quickly as I could I scaled down the wall thanking the gods I was only on the second floor. I stepped onto the grass wet with the morning dew as I watched the dragon circle around again. It was huge, at least the size of a mansion from the middle class. As it flew right above me I recognized the familiar red and white scales.

"Sweet Aurelia, stop tormenting the locals," I shouted into the sky. The familiar dragon landed, dropping the poor soldier she had picked up. 

"Sorry Momma, I wanted to surprise you," she whined.

"Well color me surprised, you have gotten so very big. I missed you, my dear Alessia," I grinned. Alessia lowered her head making it easier for me to hug her. What once was a small malnourished dragon has become a strong, beautiful beast. Her horns were now long, curved, and a dusty white.

"I missed you too," Alessia growled softly. 

"Well well look who it is," Letifer said, coming up from behind. Alessia brought her head close to him so he could rub her nose. "It's been a while, little one."

"I'm not little anymore," she huffed.

"I can finally hear the mighty beast," he laughed. According to legend baby dragons could only talk to those they felt a close connection to. It seems like growing up makes it possible for others to understand her.

"I have so many things to tell you," She said excitedly. The soldier she had dropped previously had regained consciousness and was looking terrified.

"Let us get him some medical help first," I laughed pointing to the poor man.

"Sorry," Alessia muttered.