The Sinister blade

E I G H T : K A T A R I N A

On this particular day, I wait for Cassiopeia over the cliff again. It's too sunny that the ocean is shinning blue. Too calm. This meeting with Cassiopeia is different, it isn't temporary. It is a permanent one. I agree to her suggestion and decided to move and defend my honour, my innocence. 

I left all of my personal things behind, at home. Don't leave any trace that shows you're going to make a move. Cassiopeia kept reminding me  the last time we met. The plans which progress in silence are the ones which succeed. I only have my swords and daggers with me. 

Still waiting for Cassiopeia to show up then she suddenly appears from a far.

'' Are you prepared? '' She arrives to me. Excited to take me on a journey of her kind. She loves adventures.

'' I guess so. '' I am both afraid and excited. Confused which one to show, which one to let it overcome me. I admit I am excited for this adventure but scared of failure. Don't let fear get between you and your dreams. Don't let any other obstacle distract you.

Cassiopeia offers her hand for me to help me get into the water. Colliding with the waves was never an issue for me. I always admired the refreshing coldness of the water. Cassiopeia ties my upper body to hers with a thick rope. She puts all her force in making sure its well-fixed.

'' We need to make sure its tight enough to do not break against the strength of the courant. '' She's still putting it together tighter than moments before.

'' I think that's enough. '' I stop her when I start finding difficulties in breathing. Cassiopeia promised she'll take us to the jungle in the fastest way she can, so I don't choke under water. Her plan is to swim from this spot of the ocean towards the Leary. 

Leary is the biggest jungle in the area. It reunites the tribes which are spread over diverse areas. It is the biggest jungle, everyone who gets in never comes out of it alive. It is forbidden for normal citizens. Only commandants and fighters can manage their way out of there. Talon has been there a couple of times, and he kept telling me creepy stories about it my entire childhood.

I always thought it was a myth he used to scare me off the jungle. I hold Cassiopeia's arms and remember the creepy stories which Talon has told me about Leary. I think of his words, of the sins I want to wash off my hands from, and I think of the risk I am willing to take by diving into the ocean. I hardly breath and I can see that Cassiopeia notices that.

'' Don't panic. We'll be fine. '' She makes me take my hands off of her arms gently. She puts them on the rope which ties us together. I nod trying to convince myself, and her, that I know it is going to be fine. I repeat her words inside of my mind a couple of times. Enough times to give me the courage to close my eyes and leave myself for Cassiopeia.

We dive inside of the water and she heads off towards the Leary. She's too fast that I start feeling dizzy. With this speed, there is no way for me to open my eyes. 

My eyes are closed and I'm holding onto her. My hands are around her waist just in case if the rope cuts off. With this massive speed, we rapidly get off the water. We are on land. I hardly catch my breath still not capable of opening my eyes. I'm so dizzy. The world is spinning around me.

'' That was insane! '' I barely say the words and I start throwing up. I try to find my balance, but I fail so I just lay down and close my eyes.

'' I was as surprised as you are now the first day when I did this. '' Cassiopeia is proud f her power. She sits besides me and watches me as I try to get my strength back. I hold my head, maybe it would stop spinning so rapidly that it makes me throw up every time I try to open my eyes.

'' Take this. '' Cassiopeia gives me a fruit. I take a bit of whatever she gave me. It tastes weird. '' Don't spit it. '' She insists that I swallow it although it tastes like poison. 

I start chewing it so fast hoping it will help me gather what's left of strength inside of my weak body. After a couple of minutes, the dizziness gets reduced. It isn't as sharp as it was a while ago.

When I open my eyes, I find red sharp eyes staring right into mine. I jump off trying to back off from them. At first, I think that probably Cassiopeia transformed. But after I am a few steps away I can see that it's a man. He laughs at how scared I was.

'' Who is he? '' I scream at Cassiopeia who's busy laughing at my reaction.

'' Kat, '' She holds back her excitement. '' May I introduce to you our guide in this mysterious journey in the giant jungle of Leary, Warwick. '' As Cassiopeia introduces the young man to me, he extends his hand for me to shake it. I notice that it's the same technique which Cassiopeia did when I first met her.

'' Is this like a traditional habit you guys have? '' I shake hands with Warwick and look around searching for his tail. Thinking he might be a snake as well.

'' Kind of. '' His voice is thick but gentle. '' So where to miss? '' He asks Cassiopeia as he takes a bite of the same fruit that she has given me.

'' To the little witch. '' She rolls her eyes when she says her name.

'' What witch? '' I ask. Now I am in the middle of the jungle with a snake-woman and a stranger. I am in their playground. My swords and daggers will mean nothing vs Cassiopeia's speed or Warwick's powers which I don't know about yet.

'' Take more Honey-Fruit with you Kat. You might still feel dizzy. '' He simply ignores my question. He puts his arm around Cassiopeia's neck, and they start walking ahead of me.

'' Honey-Fruit? '' I remember how it tasted too bad. '' I don't know what honey is for you guys, but this thing tastes nothing like honey. '' I wait for an answer from them, but it seems they are familiar with these comments as well as my reaction every time I wake up. I try to reach them as they get far from me walking towards the jungle.

I walk inside of the Leary listening to Warwick and Cassiopeia's jokes. The way they code-talk shows that they have known each other for a long time. At least long enough for Cassiopeia to trust him as a guide in the Leary. Maybe it wasn't as long as I think it is. 

I think of it and remember how it's my case as well. I haven't known Cassiopeia for so long, but I still chose to trust her. While the three of us got far enough from the river, we hear fire guns coming from far away. I look around me, surprised of how loud the sound is.

'' Don't be scared. It should be one of the Marksmen training. '' Warwick is relaxed. I can't tell if his words were for me or for Cassiopeia who was as surprised as I was when she heard them.

Moments after, a harder sound comes from the same distance. This time it is a sound of an explosion which keeps coming close to us. As I turn towards the angle where the sound is coming from. I see a huge rocket coming towards me. Warwick pushes me off and jumps over Cassiopeia to save both of us.

'' Are you okay? '' He asks me after the rocket passes. He holds Cassiopeia who's as surprised as I am. He is protecting his best friend. I look at them and remember how bad I want my life back, my family and friends as well. Remember Kat, when you feel like you want to stop, remember why you started. I nod for him assuring I am okay and I get on my feet again. 

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Hey guys! Thank you for your patience for this chapter to be published. 

As a digital art of Katarina Du Couteaux was attached to the previous chapter, I thought to attach a digital art of Cassiopeia to this particular chapter.