Defying Fate

Chapter 2-p3-The Deal

"Nobody?" The girl repeated. "I do not understand..."

"Tell me your name," Odysseus said, for the second time now.

"It is... Cassandra," the girl said slowly as if it was a foreign word even to her. "My name is Cassandra."

"Good girl," Odysseus stepped around her and checked to see if the coast was still clear. It was still calm and silent in the palace, but that would soon change as the fighting came closer, and there were plenty of riches in these halls. "Follow me then if you want to live."

"Wait, what?" Cassandra took a step away from him.

Odysseus felt the infant, warm against his back in his sling. He thought he could make out the banners of his ships, furthest to the south, far off in the distance. The sky was lightening a little, the grey before the dawn. He looked down at Cassandra. This close he could see that she wasn't as young as he'd picked her out to be. She was not a child, but a young woman. He now estimated her about 16 or 17, but she was frail and malnourished. Her wrists were chafed as if from chains or ropes, and she sported several bruises on her legs and her face. She wore no shoes, and her tunic was stained with dirt and who-knows-what-else.

"You would be treated well," Odysseus urged. "And with your prophecies, perhaps we can steer clear of danger. We can reach home safely."

"But, I am the sister to your enemy? Hector and Paris are my brothers, and they are the ones who brought you to our shores. Why not kill me and take your revenge?"

"You aren't the one who called me into battle, Cassandra. I brought that upon myself, ultimately," Odysseus faced facts. It had been a stupid oath that he'd spoken at that wedding, so long ago. "Enough blood has been shed over this. I will not kill you as well. I will keep you safe, and protect you from what I can. I will bring you to my home, where you can live a comfortable life, and be safe." He held out his hand to her and wondered if she would take it.

The girl glanced over her shoulder at the room behind them, her thoughts a mystery behind those pale eyes. Then she took his hand.

"Alright, I will go with you, Nobody." She said, her voice firm. "But I cannot see how far we will be able to go. The gods did not foresee this. They demand the blood on your hands."

Odysseus nodded and grasped her hand firmly. "Let's put this war behind us."