Caidoz

Part 1 Chapter 1

~Cancer

Small trickles of sunlight poured through my stained glass windows upon my face. Blinking in the bright light, I reached my hand out from under the covers, pressing it against the glass. It was warm to the touch. Sitting up in my window bed, I stretched. There is always something satisfying about waking up without morning responsibilities at your own pace, I thought.
   My mattress rested on a wooden shelf, beside a window overlooking the wet grass-covered courtyard. A rush of excitement suddenly swept over me, a broad smile spreading across my face. I push off my blue covers, heart pounding as I bolt over to my wardrobe. I can't believe it! It's finally morning!  Upon sensing a presence, the Cherry wood doors with the silver engravings flung open.
   Thousands of long robes, shirts, pants, jackets, and dresses, all eagerly waiting for me to choose them. A swipe of my hand to the right or left activates the wardrobe to reveal more choices. My hands shook as a smile stretches widely on my lips, I picked out comfortable but durable clothes, not putting much thought into the style, my mind lost in my racing thoughts.
   The hangers zipped off the rack as if they had grown wings, hovering in the air. By the time I looked in the mirror, I had nodded, my smile growing into a countenance of pleasure. I threw back my brushed brown hair away from my swamp-green eyes, straightening my brown leather jacket over my light blue spaghetti-strapped shirt. Whipping around, I saw my bed instantly redo itself, arranging the pillows neatly. I ran forwards to jump on to the soft mattress and looked down at sight below.
   Leaning forward, I noticed the preparations being made for tonight's festival. The bright red colors of Draco, the head of the guards, caught my eye. He pointed assignments, commanding his men to guard specific areas of the castle. The most promising warrior I had ever met, and the youngest to ever become General of Warfare, Draco had carved himself a promising future. Most men shivered when they thought of the silky, black-haired, gray-eyed man, terrified of his attitude, strength, and position.
   He was a proud man, with a delicate taste in foods, and he tolerated me enough to let me ask my questions. I knew him well enough, however, to know when to tread with caution and leave him to his duties. Yet, that knowledge of when to allow Draco his space wasn't due to experience alone. It was also because of my particular gift.
   I could feel the emotions of other people.
   This had been alarming to most of the people who knew my family history, for even my grandfather for whom I was named never possessed the ability himself. Queen Virgo, took me in her arms the first day I noticed the whispered conversations around me. The people always would immediately hush when I approached and pick up their conversation the moment I hastily hurried past. They had originated in the shadows of the palace before I heard them everywhere: the gardens, the kitchens, and even in the corridors and hallways.
   "They do not understand, Cancer," Queen Virgo had said. "Although King Cancer was a nigh-invincible Caidozian king, he was still a man. A male could never possess the power of a woman's intuition."
   I had turned to her, looking up into her dangling strands of black hair. "You can see and feel the emotions as well then? Because you too are a woman?" 
   "No. I cannot. However, I do not need your powers to know how you feel. I make very well due with my intuition." 
   "I believed you said you contain no power such as mine." I lowered my head in confusion.
   Mom lifted my chin. "This I never said. Intuition, my child, is an instinct that we females have never abandoned. And a one which I believe your Caidozian powers have simply strengthened." 
   Tonight, I turn thirteen. It is the night on which I will finally talk to my Wander, and gain my full strength from our connection. A nervous excitement begins to flow through my body, and my eyes widen, trying to contain it, for what would happen if I fail to do so would be tragic, but too late. The feeling makes my heart began to pound, racing against my rib cage. My skin starts to harden up my arms into an invincible barrier, and I only just manage to keep the Crab at bay. My Caidozian animal.
   I immediately take long soothing breaths, focusing on lowing my heart rate. With a final massive sigh, my shell retreats back into the soft flesh, and I felt the Crab sulk back away internal. The door to my room slammed against the wall with a crackling force, making me jump, heart thudding once more when I noticed the giant hand holding it there. A tall shadow rushes to me and looms. Colossal, about eight foot five, with beautiful dark skin, and sharp black eyes, he gave the image of a strict man, like Draco, but his appearance hardly showed the full berth of his personality.
   "Princess, I felt Cadiozian energy bursting from your room. Are you alright?" Tutor Homam asked, his voice smooth and slightly keen. He slid onto one knee in front of me, making the entire tower shake with his action. His foot nearly knocks over my tea cabinet, and in throwing back his yellow hood, his hand nearly disseminates the ceiling.
   "Sorry, sorry! Oh, how all these tiny objects are so bothersome! Could you not, perhaps, play with bigger toys!?" In his new position on his knee, he became the height of an extremely tall man. I felt concern drifting off him like waves, heard his heartbeat quicken, saw his brow knitted together.
   I take a calming breath before nodding. "I think I will be alright."
   Homam slowly stands to his full height, looking down at me. "That's good news. Now I can give your punishment." He pops one of his wrists.
   One foot takes a slow step back, followed by the other, but I hit the side of the bed, and with a shriek of alarm, I fall on the mattress. I felt all concern from my tutor burn away to anger as I stare up at his frown. "Punishment?"
   "Of course princess, your punishment for skipping lessons," Homam said, crossing his arms. He tilted his head, waiting.
   My fear died away to guilt, and I again fought with the Crab for control. "Oh. Right." Looking away from him. Honestly, never I would I ever dream of skipping lessons with Homam. I studied ahead the majority of nights, tripled checked my homework, and enjoyed conversations on all topics of our discussions. Speechless, I gaze up at him, the disapproval evident on his face.
   Every day, early in the morning, Homam taught me the history of our kingdom, advanced physics, and other topics, such as controlling the Caidozian energy that flows in my blood. The night before, I had become wonderstruck by the planets above us, dreaming about the excitement of my upcoming birthday. I suppose I overslept, and, worse, I forgot the lesson entirely.
   Breaking his stare, Homam's gaze shoots up to the ceiling as he shrugs. "But, you know what? I suppose one lesson of royal tutoring to become the galaxy's supreme ruler, and queen of all known would be considered useless on the day of which your attention would most likely be better spent elsewhere."
   I couldn't stop the grin as I smiled up at the tall man and was amazed to see a small grin of his own split over his face, feel slight happiness flowing, and hear a heartbeat with a spring to its jerk. Inclining his head, he motioned me to follow him down the spiral stairs as he slouched to fit through the dark decline. Keeping my eyes on Homam's bright yellow cloak that defined him as the royal tutor, I followed, remembering the lesson I had been taught when I was only a child. "Most colors are to show rank. However, unless you are ranked high enough to do as you please, such as a noble or lord, you must always present the colors of your nobility."
   Once at the bottom of the stairwell, I followed Homam as silent as my silver slippers would allow down the darkly painted passage, looking around at the castle décor. It never ceased to capture my imagination. The frightsome gargoyles upon the walls growled down at me, but I waved cheerily, and they became stone once again. Once, they had frightened me when I was just a child, but now they only seemed grumpy, like my father was without breakfast. I realized I was falling behind due to Homam's long strides. I raced to catch up.
   He stops, and I slam into his knees, causing myself to fall down upon the cold marble floors. Looking around, I saw large doors made of hickory with hinges and handles made of brass. Looking up, I see my father's mark embroidered upon the door and realize we were in front of the royal courtroom. Pressing myself off the ground, I look up at him, frowning. Homam turns around to bend on a knee, assuming a proper height. "Before I let you go enjoy your birthday celebrations, I want to ask you to assist the king in court today." 
   My brows raise, my eyes widening. Libra, an equalizer of his people, and, more importantly, the King of Caidoz. While most Caidozians contained the power of their animal, my father and my mother were two examples of human Caidozians. This meant their abilities were not specifically for battle or strength, but for other parts of life. King Libra was said to be Caidoz's fairest judge because of his power to hear all equally.
   I always considered it a shame he seemed to lose his ear of fairness whenever his case involved me.Yet, this did not mean that he knew who was guilty or innocent at first sight, nor did he always put the right man in prison. Merely that, all who come before him can expect a judicial trial.
   "What can I do to be of any assistance to my father?"
   Homam looked at me sharply. "The real question is what do your abilities limit you to do. To answer your question, there an unfair trail occurring. I want you to help your father see this."
   "How do you know of this?"
   Homam's eyes gave no emotion, but there was no need. I felt the guilt pouring out of him like rain.
   "You heard something." This was not a question but a statement, and I sense it's accuracy.
   "I was preparing for our lesson in the library, and I heard the voices of two men near one of the windows in the gardens. I was... curious, so I came closer, but not too near as to not be seen. Though the glass muted much of the conversation, I discovered enough evidence to believe this will be unfair." The tutor's voice sounded with regret.
   "What drew your attention to the men's conversation?" I felt a burning sensation in the air like a fire was partaking in flight.
   "I was... mildly uninterested in the action I was performing at the time."
   I lifted one brown eyebrow.
   "I had nothing else to do, and you were nowhere to be found, happily skipping your studies, to dilly-dally away possibly the most important day of your life!"
   I rolled my eyes then became glad that my thick, long hair covered my face at the moment. "Why is this particularly important to you Homam?" I inquired.
   Homam stood up quickly, looking at me with a scowl which sends chills down my spine. "A princess should always want justice for her people, even if the situation has nothing relating in particular to herself."
   I nod my head, my cheeks burning red. The Crab banging against its cage, but I exhale gently, locking the door tight."I will do my best, for the sake of the innocent," I say.
   The royal tutor spoke, "Yes, Cancer. This is the spirit which you should be feeling for your kingdom."
   I start to open the large doors, but Homam grabbed my hand. "Wait, princess. You cannot be seen without your crown. It shows your rank and compassion to the people."
   "I hardly consider this a crown," I say, reaching into my brown leather jacket pocket to reveal a headband crown, decorated with red satin and rare stones.
   I sighed as his eyes continue to bore into me before using the headband to push my hair out of my face. This had been my tiara for all of my life and would continue to be. Until tonight. The night when my master would gift me my real crown as given to all royalty on their thirteenth birthday. A thrill running through me, I place my hand on the door, and with well-oiled brass hinges, the smooth, wooden door swings open.