5. Talking to Strangers

It was a bright, sunny day and Casandra was fully enjoying herself playing in the street by the marketplace while her mother shopped and gossiped with the other ladies. She munched on an apple that she’d filched from one of the little boys who was flirting with her earlier, that she hadn’t been interested in. No, she had no time to bother with the immature male species.

Suddenly she spotted a suspicious looking person out of the corner of her eye. He wore a black cloak and appeared to be watching the place from his hiding spot out of view of everyone else. No one noticed him but her. As she watched him, he turned to someone behind him and whispered something in their ear. They left quickly, but the one in black still stayed. Casandra’s curiosity peaked. Cautiously, she made her way over.

“Excuse me,” she tugged on his cloak. When he looked down at her, the first thing she noticed were his brilliant blue eyes. “Wow,” she sighed. “You have pretty eyes.” To her surprise, he smiled.

“Thank you,” he said. “My wife used to tell me that a lot.”

“What happened to her?” asked Casandra.

“She died,” replied the man simply. “Where’s your mother? Shouldn’t you be with her instead of talking to me?” Casandra shrugged.

“She’s shopping for dishes.” she said. “Why shouldn’t I talk to you?”

“You shouldn’t talk to strangers.” Memnon smiled. “They could be bad.”

“But if I never talked to strangers, I’d never meet anyone,” Casandra protested. “Besides, you don’t look like a bad stranger to me.” She held out her hand. “I’m Casandra.” Reluctantly, the stranger took her hand.

“And I can’t tell you my name, but nice to meet you anyway.” Something in Casandra’s mind snapped when the stranger’s hand touched hers, and it registered like a jolt that she didn’t understand. She smiled.

“Guess what?” she said timidly. “The one you used to love, and seek, is here. She doesn’t love you anymore though.” The stranger’s eyes flashed.

“I’m aware of that.” he said, trying to keep the cold edge out of his voice. He forced a smile. “But how did you know…never mind, it’s not of issue. I must go.” He turned to leave, then looked back at Casandra. She smiled.

“Bye.” she waved. The stranger walked off.

*~*~*~*~*

“Look alive,” warned Thorak. “His highness returns.” Memnon meandered toward the troop, a strange look on his face. He took off the black cloak, sighing.

“I need some time to think,” he declared. “The plan will be pushed back to tomorrow night.” The troop exchanged a glance.

“My lord, are you ill?” asked Thorak. “You look unusually sullen.”

“I assure you I’m fine,” Memnon said haughtily. Thorak rolled his eyes inconspicuously. “There is no problem, only that I have things to consider. My command stands. None of you will leave this camp. If anyone sees you, my plan will be foiled, and I’ll hold the first mass execution of my own army. Understand?” The response was an exaggerated uproar of “yes sirs,” which amused Memnon greatly. “Good. Carry on.” He went to his tent to lie down.

A few minutes later, Thorak entered.

“Lord Memnon?” he said cautiously.

“Yes?” replied Memnon calmly. “What is it, Thorak?” He propped himself up on his elbow and fixed Thorak with a piercing stare. Thorak jumped.

“Nothing, my lord, except that I’m concerned for you.” Memnon laughed.

“You? You care after the way I’ve treated you? You’re lying.”

“No,” protested Thorak. “If it weren’t for your discipline, I wouldn’t be here. I’d still be a clumsy dunce in the academy. You’re hard on me, yes, but it’s for my own good, and I respect you. But even so, I still see myself as your friend, and I need to know if you’re all right.” Memnon sighed.

“I was scouting in the marketplace and I was approached by Sully’s sister Casandra. I recognized her, but I don’t think she did me. She told me the one I love is here, but she doesn’t love me now.” He laughed. “And to tell you the truth, I didn’t give a damn.”

“You used to care, my lord.” Thorak said quietly.

“And now I don’t.” replied Memnon simply. “I did once, but I found it too cumbersome to my purpose in life.” He sighed again. “I’ve changed a lot, and I know I’ve done some unforgivable things, but I don’t feel sorry for any of them. I don’t feel anything.” Thorak put a hand on his former best friend turned master’s shoulder.

“It matters not,” he said. “I’m loyal to you to the end. That hasn’t changed.” Memnon smiled.

“I don’t see how you can say that,” he said. “Thank you, Thorak. You may leave me in peace now.” Thorak bowed and left. Memnon sighed and collapsed on his back, staring up at the ceiling of the tent.

That night…

Casandra, possessed by some unknown force, crept out into the hall and glanced about. The coast was clear. Her mother was in her room, and Sully and Shardea were in their bedroom doing who knew what. She had a clear shot to the door, and she took it. She bolted down the hall, creeping stealthily out, letting the door close quietly behind her. The open desert beckoned to her. As if following some inner voice, she went in whichever direction she felt was right. She didn’t know where exactly she was going, but she knew wherever it was she’d be able to find her way there.

At the camp, Memnon was participating in some late fencing practice, making a show of himself for his troops. His personal trainer stood before him, the practice sword shaking in his hand. Memnon smirked confidently as he locked eyes with the trainer.

“Well,” he said. “Are you going to stand there shaking or come at me?” Memnon’s opponent charged without warning, and Memnon quickly put up his weapon to block him. He struck back violently, knocking the trainer to the ground. When he got up and charged again, Memnon delivered a high kick to his head, then to the stomach. His opponent fell to the ground. Memnon smirked as he stood over the trainer and mock stabbed him. “You’re dead,” he proclaimed. Everyone applauded. Memnon smiled, stepping away from the near unconscious trainer, and took a deep, showy bow. Thorak laughed.

“My lord, show them the arrow thing.” Memnon’s eyes widened.

“I couldn’t.” he said modestly. “I’m not that showy.”

“You should see it,” Thorak told the soldiers next to him. “His highness can stop a speeding arrow with his bare hand.” There were exclamations of surprise. “Come on, Mem. You’ve got to show them.” Memnon sighed.

“Fine, I shall risk my life for your amusement,” Memnon said dramatically. “Thorak, if you would do the honor of shooting me.” Thorak laughed.

“It would be my pleasure, my lord.” Everyone gasped.

“Never fear,” Memnon said. “His shooting skill has seen improvement. The first time he did this was an accident.” Everyone laughed. Thorak looked embarrassed.

“Tis true,” he admitted. “But only because I shot with my eyes closed.” Everyone laughed again. “Let’s hope I don’t misfire.” joked Thorak. He took a bow and an arrow while Memnon went a favorable distance. Thorak situated the arrow with the bow and called to Memnon, “ready, my lord?”

“Always!” replied Memnon. “Fire when ready!” Thorak took a deep breath and released the arrow, sending it flying toward Memnon. Memnon locked his eyes on the arrow and watched it until it was only a few inches from his heart. Then his hand shot up and caught it. There was an awed silence, then the crowd erupted into uproarious applause. Memnon smiled again. “Thank you, it was nothing.”

“Hey mister!” someone called from aside. “It’s me!” Memnon’s eyes widened.

“What the…Casandra? How did you know where to find me?” he demanded. The soldiers stared at Memnon, puzzled. He smiled. “Just an acquaintance.” he laughed nervously. “Excuse me.” He took Casandra by the hand and led her behind a nearby tent. “How did you know I was here?” He asked in awe. Casandra shrugged.

“My mom and Sully say I’m clair…clair-something.”

“Clairvoyant?” asked Memnon.

“Yeah! That!” Casandra declared. “But I wanted to see you again, and a little voice in my head led me here. It was like a picture in my head, telling me where to go. Isn’t that neat?”

“Very,” Memnon said sweetly. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him and he smirked. “Casandra, I was wondering if you could help me with something.”

“Anything,” Casandra said dreamily. “Just name it.”

“I plan to lead my troop into battle and be a great conqueror, but I don’t know if I’ll succeed or not.” He tried to sound scared to evoke sympathy from Casandra.

“Oh, a conqueror?” Casandra smiled. “Are you a good conqueror or a bad one?”

“Definitely good,” Memnon said assuringly. “The troop I plan to stop is the bad one, but I’m scared I’ll fail. Can you tell me if I will or not?”

“Well, then, let me see.” Casandra said thoughtfully. “I did this once and it worked. Give me your hand.” Warily Memnon gave Casandra his hand. She passed her fingers over his palm and closed her eyes, letting her vision take over. A moment later, she opened her eyes and looked at Memnon. “As long as you attack by night, you will be successful. Your enemy’s army will seem defiant at first, but you will prevail and crush them in the end.” She smiled. “I feel sorry for whoever your enemy is.”

“I do too.” Memnon smirked.

“Well, I suppose I’d better go home before Mom realizes I’m gone…”

“You can’t,” Memnon said suddenly. “If you leave, the bad people will know I’m here.” Casandra’s eyes widened.

“But if I don’t go home, my mother will be mad!” she protested.

“No she won’t,” Memnon said smoothly. “Once we take care of the bad people, I’ll let you go and explain everything myself so you won’t get in trouble. But right now I have to keep you here.” Casandra looked scared. Memnon smiled. “Don’t worry,” he said gently. “I won’t hurt you. I promise.” He offered his hand, which Casandra accepted cautiously. “Come. I’ll show you where you can sleep.” He led her off to his tent.

“This is a nice place,” she noted. “You must be a king to have all this stuff.”

“I am, actually,” Memnon smiled. Casandra gazed at him in awe.

“You’re nice, you’re handsome and you’re royalty? Wow.” She sighed dreamily. “Will you marry me?” Memnon’s eyes widened and he laughed nervously.

“Uh, no,” he said. “But I’m flattered.” Casandra giggled as she continued to explore the tent.

“Wow,” she said. “These are some big swords. What do you use them for?” She tried to lift one with both hands and almost got it off the ground, but Memnon swiped it from her single-handedly. She blushed. “Sorry.” Memnon smiled.

“Aren’t you sleepy yet?” he asked jokingly.

“Not really.” replied Casandra. “Can we have a slumber party? That will be fun!” Memnon sighed and shook his head in dismay. Suddenly, Casandra gazed at him, captivated. “What’s it like to be a great warrior?” she asked. “Are you ever scared?” Smiling, Memnon scooped Casandra up into his arms.

“Sure I am.” He carried her over to the bed in hopes that, if he put her down to sleep, she would, and stop annoying him a while. He set her down and sat next to her. She smiled up at him and played with the royal medallion around his neck.

“Is this your royal sign?” she asked.

“Yes.” replied Memnon.

“It’s pretty.” declared Casandra. She smiled up at Memnon. “You look like you make a good warrior.” She yawned and closed her eyes. “Goodnight, lord Memnon. Just attack at night and you’ll be fine…” Memnon smiled as soon as he knew Casandra was asleep. He realized that she’d known his name, though he hadn’t told her his name at all. Suddenly he realized this girl could be of use to him, as long as he could persuade her to stay with him. Smiling to himself, he covered Casandra up and went to fetch a guard to watch over her to make sure she didn’t flee during the night.