Princess of Beasts

01

*idea of Cassandra going to war*

9 Years Old

Heavy breathing fills the gym where mats are laid down and Cassandra, just blossoming into a young lady, stands at a defensive posture with a wooden sword. Sweat drips down her face, neck and back, soaking her shirt until a small puddle forms underneath her. The salty drops sting her eyes as they fall in. Shacking her head to scatter the drops, she immediately grips her slippery sword and moves her feet into a 60/40 position with her left foot leading. Knees softly bent she takes a moment to calm her breathing before eyeing the man across from her who is the opposite of her in every way. He was tall, muscled and tan. His clothing betray the hours of training done in the gym with not a single drop of sweat staining their pristine look. His breathing was even and he looked bored. His wooden sword was by his hip waiting for the young girl to make her move.

Silence filled the gym and tension rose as she gathered her waning strength and ignored her tired and strained muscles. When a drop of sweat gathered on her chin and fell, it felt deafening waiting for it to fall. The drop fell and crashed onto the mats in a cacophony of noise. Cassandra made her move and quickly sprinted, shortening the distance between her and the man lazily holding his sword. Raising her wooden sword above her head she brought it down with the last of her strength, only to miss and hit air when the man dodged her attack and tripped her by knocking up against her ankle. Tumbling on the floor she comes to a stop with her limbs tangled and her pride injured.

"Are you done yet miss?"

Tears gather as Cassandra slowly stands and brushes off wrinkles. Ignoring the man she walks over where a bin holds other wooden swords and drops hers in. Grabbing a towel off the bench she walks out the double doors.

If she heard the man sigh before she left, the tears on the verge of falling would have come down without border. Sniffling she quickly enters the women's changing room and showers before brushing her long blond hair and braiding it in a simple style. With clean clothes on, she walks out and spots the old maid holding a bottle of water.

Silently accepting the kind gesture she opens the top and takes a deep gulp before feeling better and not as peeved at the man in the gym.

A chuckle escapes the old maid. "You know that Alastor is being a prick for your own good don't you?"

Snorting Cassandra turns her head away in a peevish nature.

"Now, now, Alastor does this because you need the training. If you want to over take your brothers you need to be smarter, faster, and more ruthless than they." She rolls her eyes in exasperation when Cassandra still ignores her warning. Reaching out, she pinches her ear in a tight grip and gets a satisfied yelp out of it. "Now you listen here young lady. Alastor is doing this because he cares, you think it doesn't hurt him that your hurting? He may not show it but deep down inside he hurts. If you want to battle your brothers with us at your side, you need to trust him. You need to spend some time with Alastor, if you think all he is is a muscled brain addled man. I'm going to assign some time for you to spend with him. Watch me do it! Don't you roll your eyes missy, or I will tear this ear off!"

Receiving a nod the old maid releases Cassandra's ear and walks down the hall into the kitchen to prep for lunch.

Rubbing the sore ear Cassandra walks through a double door into the back yard where a small garden thrives and lush vegetables grow. Spotting Alastor laying in the grass she walks over and sits next to him. A red blush stains her face and neck when she pats him on the stomach a few times and with much force says, "S-sorry."

Chuckling under his breath he lets out all the frustration and fear he had pent up and let it all go. Releasing one hand under his head he reaches over and rubs her golden hair. Trembling with embarrassment and happiness Cassandra just sits there in silence and relaxes in the warm glow of the summer sun.

A Week Later...

"Old maid! Old maid!" Cassandra shouts in the hallway looking for the old maid. "Alastor! Where's the old maid?"

Alastor walks out of a doorway to look at Cassandra who was holding onto the hands of a little girl around the same age, though most would assume younger due to her thin body and short stature. Watching the girl, Alastor noted the dull glassy look, greasy hair, torn clothing and long unmanaged nails.

"Who did you bring with you miss?"

Beaming, Cassandra tugs on the girls hand who slowly walks over and tightens her hold on Cassandra's hand.

"This is Lily! She's gonna be one of mine. She agreed Alastor!"

Smiling at Cassandra he snarled at the girl who flinched.

"You will show the miss respect and do your utmost to work hard to make your mark. No one in this house eats for free. Make the miss regret ever choosing you and I will personally end you."

Feeling Lily tremble, Cassandra lightly smacked Alastore on his forehead.

"Stop bullying Lily! She promised to be my friend and help me fight my brothers!" Turning to Lily Cassandra smiled and tugged her past Alastor to the kitchen. "Let's go Lily! Old maid looks mean but she is really nice and cooks lots of good food and dessert!"

A smile tilt the corner of Lily's lips as Cassandra pulls her towards the kitchen when the old maid appears with an arm full of clean clothes.

"Who is this?"

With a beaming smile Cassandra says, "Lily! She is part of my family now! Can you make Lily some food? I told her you make the most delicious food and cinnamon cakes."

Rolling her eyes, the old maid giggles at Cassandra's puppy eyes.

"Alright, let me put these clothes away and I'll make something for you two. Go into the kitchen and wash up now."

"Yay!"

The two girls disappeared in the kitchen when Alastor walked up to the old maid. Taking the stack of laundry from her, he asks, "Do you think that she came from there?"

Exhaustingly sighing out the old maid says, "I believe so. From her eyes and her posture it seems that she came from a recent hunt." The old maid spits out the last word in anger.

Turning away, Alastor walks down the hall to put the laundry away.

"But with the young miss and some time, I'm sure she'll change the girl for the better."

Left alone in the hall the old maid worries for Cassandra and her words were unheard by anyone.

"I hope so, I truly hope so."