Cassia The Lost

Chapter 8: Return

Their journey home was much more enjoyable then the journey to the temple. The time together was a gift and the two acted like a newly joined couple celebrating their relationship. They tried to avoid the topic of what they would do when they got back to civilization. At times, she said that she wanted to find a small town, build a home, and start a life together. She proclaimed that he could be a successful blacksmith and that she would be content with a simple life. Teran craved for that life and found himself dreaming of marrying her and raising children together.

After the daydream was ended, he would remind her that the kingdom was at war. Her father and mother were in hiding or worse. With her mind returned to her she was now a princess once again. The people would need her to rally around. The return of the beautiful Lost Princess Cassia would be a great boon to the morale of their army. A boost such as that could easily turn the tide in a war that was currently locked in stalemate.

Cassia would heave a sigh of resignation, "I know, I have a duty that is too heavy for me to carry alone. I will need you by my side." The thought of being by her side was exhilarating but also overwhelming. Who was he? An apprentice blacksmith? The people would never accept him as her suitor. They would demand that she forge an alliance to someone of political significance. They would put an end to their fantasy life together. It was best not to think of that, he told himself. I love her. If that is the sacrifice required to make her happy, then I will make it.

After two weeks of travel they finally reached a city where she was recognized for who she was. They had bypassed several minor cities on purpose, opting instead to reveal her at the City of Ferron, which was the second most powerful city after the capital and was now the new seat of power.

This was the true end of their freedom and anonymity. The city guard rushed to her, not believing the story they had heard and expecting to find Cassia the Lost. What they found was Princess Cassia. Her transformation of character was astounding to Teran. Gone was the timid girl who held his hand for support and ate rabbit and cactus over a cook fire.

In the blink of an eye she was the most important person in the city. She held herself strong and proud and barked commands to men who were veterans of battle. She was stunning in her beauty and her demeanor overshadowed everything and everyone around her. The last time anyone except Taren had seen her with a clear mind she had been barely old enough to be considered a woman. Now, three years later, she held herself like a queen.

By the time they reached the center of the city she had gathered a troop of soldiers around her. Several of the men knew her from the capital and the rest would not dare to question her sheer force of presence and bearing. She was their Princess and by the time they mounted the steps to the City Hall they were ready to die for her. Teran felt out of place but she insisted that he stay glued to her side. She told him that they needed to "witness his relationship with her"; what that meant he could not be sure.

They spent the day at the City Hall where Cassia quickly dominated the proceedings. She stood before the most powerful men in the kingdom wearing the rags of a beggar and lit up the grand meeting hall like the sun. She learned that her father and mother had not been heard from and were now officially assumed dead. A council had been formed from the major cities to decide the affairs of the kingdom and to manage the efforts of the war.

Eventually, the Markee family, who was the second in power to the King, would be permitted to name an heir to the throne. Of course, that would now change. The people had their princess and they anxiously discussed the process needed to crown her as their Queen.

She told her story from start to finish; leaving no detail out as five separate scribes wrote her every word. She insisted that Teran remain present by her side; scathing anyone who suggested that he be led away "to get some rest" or to "Freshen up from his travels." She told Teran that if he left her side the politicians would sweep them in different directions. They would keep him safe, no doubt, but it might be weeks before she had the political clout to demand that he be returned to her. He wasn't entirely sure if she was being literal or dramatic.

She gave the city of Ferron a week of her time. One week was enough for them to send runners to every city in the kingdom notifying them of the return of their princess. One week was enough time to call the council of cities together and to put a stop to the plans to replace her family on the throne. Some were upset by this news as they had poured a great deal of time and treasure into securing favor with the Markee heir. However, war-time was a fortunate time to return if you were a long-lost princess, and the hunger for hope in the kingdom eventually swept aside any complaints or doubts that were voiced against her claim.

As the week came to an end, the officials in the city had finally accepted that Princess Cassia was not going to allow them to dismiss Teran as unimportant. They had made several attempts to convince her to marry the chosen heir of the Markee family in order to sooth the rift between houses. He was an elderly man and she was told she would not need to remarry after he passed away. Cassia nearly had the man who made the suggestion stripped of his title. Since it was Teran's intercession on his behalf that saved him, the politician had a sudden change of heart on the matter.

Having solidified her claim to the throne, Cassia demanded that she be allowed to travel to Killian's pass to view the defenses in person. The Council argued with her out of habit, but eventually they capitulated. On the eight day of her return to civilization, Princess Cassia rode at the head of a small army towards Killian's pass; her "Lord Guardian" Teran by her side. Teran had never heard of a "Lord Guardian" before, but she had assured him that it was all very official.