The rays of the late afternoon sun lengthened the shadows of trees and walls as I returned to the city from the temple. Though I mainly attended only the morning and evening ceremonies due to my duties in the palace, I had stayed most of the day to pray for my city and to reflect on my life. There were maids aplenty and Hektor had no reports to attend until shortly before dinner, though I hoped that he had consulted with the generals about the very real threat that approached. Nodding grimly to the guards who allowed me entrance, I went not to my own rooms but to see Priam's second daughter and one of my closest friends. Cassandra.
People said that she was mad or, at the very least, extremely ill because of so-called hallucinations but I thought they were just too simple to understand what she was trying to impart. No one knew exactly what had happened to her, only that she seemed to have developed these visions shortly after she had become a woman at fourteen, though there were certainly many rumours. But, ever since I had become a chosen of Artemis, we had been close and I thought of her more as a sworn-sister than just a friend so we confided in each other. Her version of events had chilled my blood, for she had explained that Apollo had come to her one evening and attempted to bed her but she refused him. Enraged, he had cursed her with visions of the future that no one would believe if she spoke of them. Still, she had tried to warn her friends and family and, true to the curse, everyone thought she had gone insane. Everyone but me and, quite possibly, Hektor.
Subsequently, I had regarded the sun with wary eyes and, despite never having cared much for vanity in the first place, was sincerely glad that the gods found me lacking in appearance. As for men, well... that was a different story entirely. I had never been short of admirers but also had never encouraged them either because, frankly, I was content with my position in life and saw no need to fix what wasn't broken.
I knocked softly on the door and glared at a nearby maid who was staring at me but promptly scurried off when she saw that she'd been caught. A heavy sigh escaped me before I could prevent it and I cursed the gossips who felt it necessary to track my every movement just because I was related to the crown princess. "This place is full of vultures" I thought crossly then knocked again and heard a soft "come in" from inside.
Cassandra's room was plain for a princess and seemed to emphasize that her family wanted to forget she existed. The only pretty things she had were a set of three alabaster lamps, gifted to her by her late mother, a quartz vase given to her by my cousin, and the blue silk curtains that I had embroidered with gold thread and given to her for her birthday the previous year. Her bedding was plain white cotton, the walls were mainly bare, and the only other furniture was a wooden trunk for her few dresses, a small night table with one of the aforementioned lamps on it, and a vanity with no mirror that held the other two lamps. She had only a hand mirror, also inherited from her mother, and a gold handled hairbrush given to her by Hektor. As far as I knew, he was her only other visitor and the only other person, aside from Andromache and myself, who would speak to her in public without being forced to by protocol.
Briseis had admitted that her cousin made her uncomfortable and Paris avoided her while Priam only suffered her presence at dinner because Hektor demanded it.
Cassandra herself, however, was anything but plain. She was possessed of large dark eyes, like her mother's, with a finely etched face that was framed by long glossy hair as dark as fertile soil. I loved my cousin but the second-born princess was easily the most beautiful woman in Troy and, in my opinion, her beauty far outranked that of Helen. Of the three, she and Paris looked the most alike but could not have been more different in personality. Instead of being indignant at being treated so unfairly by her own blood, she had quietly accepted her lot in life and carried herself with a quiet dignity and grace that reminded me much of her mother.
She had refused to trade rooms with me when I had asked her to, incensed at the fact that my room was larger than hers and had a window and a balcony while she only had one large window. When I was younger, the sheer emptiness of her little room had made me cry and I had done everything I could to try and decorate it for her, including writing on the walls with ink, much to her amusement.
To this day, one of my childhood scribbles stating, simply, "I will never forget you", could still be seen on the wall next to her bed while the others had faded into smudges.
She smiled when she saw me and rose from her vanity stool so that I could embrace her "It is good to see you, sister, although I am surprised. Have you taken leave of the babe for a day or did they refuse to allow you to bring him here?" she asked with a soft laugh.
Surprised, she may well have been but I was not. She had only seen her nephew at dinners and the only reason she had gotten to hold him at all was because I had brought him with me on one of my visits a month after his birth. Inevitably, Priam had found out and had forbidden me let her near his grandchild ever again or I would lose my post. As if he was afraid that she was contagious or meant the baby harm. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Paris, however, was allowed to hold the baby whenever he pleased and that was what vexed me more than anything. So, out of genuine dislike for the prince and a healthy dose of vengeful anger, I did all I physically could to make sure that our paths never crossed when I had the child.
"They did" I said "but you know how well I listen. Had he been with me, I'd have come anyway". She grinned knowingly and it relieved me that she was still able to smile when anyone of lesser character would have become bitter and withdrawn...or gone genuinely mad. "I did, however, bring you flowers" I held up the little posy of wildflowers I had collected from just beyond the temple grounds and her face lit up then she hurried over to fill the empty vase with water from her wash basin so that they would not wilt.
"At least she has a washroom like mine" I thought morosely and handed her the flowers so that she could arrange them as she pleased. "Thank you, Ismena. That poor vase hasn't seen flowers since the last bunch I had wilted in the heat a month or so ago. I simply forgot to replace them because of...well, you know" she said and I couldn't stop myself from hugging her again. I could only imagine how seldom she had actual human contact and her eyes told me how distressing her visions were.
"I do not want you to pity me, sister" she said softly and I squeezed her gently "I don't" I replied honestly. Yes I felt bad for her but it usually manifested itself as anger or the desire to help her as much as I could just by being a woman of my word and not forgetting her. I didn't lie about where I had been when someone asked and I spoke of her as just as I would have any other dear friend. The only things I would not mention were the visions but I was sure that my lack of surprise when certain things took place was definitely noticeable.
"Good. Now tell me, how is Briseis? I've not seen in her in nearly a year now except at dinner" she did not mention that said cousin did not talk to her at dinner and I made a mental note to speak to Briseis about it when I saw her next. Internally I winced because I knew that the most recent news would not sit well with Cassandra but that didn't mean I would lie.
"Briseis..." I took a deep breath "swore herself to Apollo on her fourteenth birthday. She has been an acolyte for several months now". As I had expected, Cassandra's face paled and she became very still "so that is why she no longer speaks to me" she whispered suddenly. My first thought was to deny it outright but then I began to wonder if she was, in fact, correct. I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder just as she broke down and I helped her sit on her bed as she wept "oh gods, Briseis why?" she sobbed "her parents would have been heartbroken, had they lived to see this day. They had always wanted grandchildren. Now she will die alone, just like me".
"Cassandra" I said, as gently as I could "you will not be alone as long as I still live. I cannot visit you as often as I would like because of your father but even he will not live forever. Once Astyanax is old enough to attend lessons, I will have much more time to spend with you and when Priam dies, Hektor will clear your name. Your brother has not forgotten you, no matter what you may think or what the others say and it saddens him immensely to know that you live like this because he too is bound by your father's will"
She raised her head and looked at me then with the tormented eyes of one who has seen far too many things that she shouldn't have and I felt my blood turn to ice. "Hektor will not live that long, Ismena" she revealed "the Greeks are coming- as I am sure you, too- have sensed, and they bring with them a warrior who will not be felled until our city is being gutted by flames. Achilles will enslave my cousin and kill my brother and our father will be killed by one of the kings. Your future, however, has not yet been shown to me, nor have those of Paris or Andromache"
I swallowed hard and nodded but suppressed the urge to dismiss her words and thanked my goddess that I was able to do so. Artemis had taken me under her wing long before I had hit puberty and I had not doubt that it was she who protected my mind against her brother's influence. I wondered about parts of her prophecy but my intuition told me that the vast majority of it was correct. Especially then, with the pieces of visions that I had been experiencing in the past few days.
Withholding nothing, I told her everything that had happened in the past two days and, by the end of my tale, her eyes had nearly taken over her face. "He should not have done that" she said quietly "Artemis has been protective of you since even before you joined the temple. She chose you long before Althea did and there will be no reward for his actions"
"At this point, I doubt he cares. How many sane Trojan men would steal the wife of a king while negotiating a peace treaty between our land and theirs?" I pointed out and she only nodded sadly in agreement. The gong chimed then, signaling that it was time for the evening meal, and I helped her brush and arrange her long hair before we went down to dinner together.
I made a point of ignoring the stares from those we passed while going down the stairs as well as those of the people seated in the dining hall. It was rare for me to attend dinner in my temple attire, primarily because it consisted of a green hunting dress that was sheared off at the knees to allow freedom of movement and was bound at the waist with a wide brown leather belt that laced up on the left side. My hair was pulled back into a single long plait and my brown leather sandals had a wide strap at the ankles to prevent them from becoming dislodged while running. The colour of the dress was the only thing that kept it from becoming entirely translucent when lit from behind and I was showing far more skin than was typically appropriate for the palace but the amulet sitting on my breastbone and the hunting knives strapped to my hips usually prevented anyone from questioning me.
To the royals and nobles in their long blue and white robes, decorated with various precious metals and stones, I appeared foreign and savage and Hektor grinned at me as I bowed my head respectfully to him and his father "you look like an Amazon. Did you have no time to change?" I shook my head and returned the smile. "At least I am clean and all of the important parts are completely covered" I retorted with a laugh before kissing my cousin on the cheek in greeting.
Both he and my cousin then greeted Cassandra but Priam only nodded at her to acknowledge her presence and I gave her hand a quick squeeze before motioning with my head towards our seats. Though my seat was usually further down the table, no one objected when I sat down beside her and we left the two seats in front of us vacant in case Paris and Helen came down. Cassandra whispered to me that she would keep the peace and sat down in the place beside where Helen would be sitting.
Wine was served soon after we were seated and we both took a healthy cupful to last us through the meal. If we thought we had planned our arrangement well, we were proven wrong as soon as the couple in question came to the table. Over the edge of my cup, I saw Helen look at us then turn and say something to Paris and I swallowed my mouthful before leaning in to speak to the princess "I think someone is displeased with our choice of seating".
Cassandra followed my gaze then placed one hand gently over mine on my lap "well we will be courteous and act as if nothing is amiss. Regardless of what they think of me, I am still a princess here and you are a dear friend. I will just say that the seat beside mine was empty and I invited you to sit with me" she stated firmly.
The couple approached and my left hand clenched instinctively as if preparing for battle, my nails digging into the flesh of my palm, but said nothing. Only when Paris looked down his nose at me did I greet him formally, keeping my tone casual, acting as if nothing were amiss. Taking a cue from Priam, I gave a cursory nod to Helen to acknowledge her existence then glanced over and waved at Briseis who had just arrived and was now making her way to her place at the table, beside Polyxena who was also a virgin bride of Apollo. The youngest of Priam's children at fourteen years old, Polyxena was a reclusive girl who spoke little and rarely came to court so I barely knew her. She had not the charisma of her oldest brother nor the beauty of her oldest sister and therefore seemed to be relegated to the sidelines of her large family.
However, she too ignored Cassandra and that did not sit well with me. "You are not in your place, Ismena" Paris' voice drew my attention back to the situation unfolding beside me and Cassandra sighed "the chair beside me was empty and I invited her to sit with me so that we do not have to yell across the table to speak to one another. Father does not mind" she said quietly.
Paris looked at her and his lip twisted in derision, causing me to give him a warning look that was ultimately ineffective. "Cowards will fight only when aware that the brave are held prisoner by their loyalty and morals" I thought and my entire body tensed.
"Cease your babbling, woman. You should never be allowed out of your room, lest your insanity taint the mind of my innocent wife" he said and I saw red for a few moments but, when I would have risen from my seat and thrashed him in front of the entire assembly, Cassandra stopped me by placing her hand once again on my knee.
"Said "wife" is Greek, Paris, and married to you. She should be used to both madness and ranting by now. Besides, you are not qualified to make such a judgment of your sister's mental state. The physicians have examined Cassandra and concluded that she is in perfect health. Speak only of that which is known to you or you will inevitably come to harm" the barely veiled threat left my mouth as an angry hiss and my left hand wrapped itself about the handle of one of my knives. Helen's wide eyes flickered repeatedly from Paris to Cassandra and I was not sure whether she was shocked that Cassandra was related to him or afraid of further conflict.
"Perhaps we would be better off to eat dinner in your rooms" Cassandra suggested softly to me, her dark eyes glittering with tears, and I grew even angrier at the sight of her pain. No one spoke to a princess of Troy like that and got away with it.
I nodded but held my tongue as she rose and left the table then I stood and shoved my chair back in without even so much as a wince at the loud noise it made when it connected with the table.
"Apparently, I am the only one who seems to mind that a Trojan princess is being treated like a stray dog by her own family while the wife of our enemy sits in a position of status at our table. If you ever speak to her or any Trojan like that again, you both will find out what I do with traitors" I snapped acidly and slid past them, then followed my solemn friend to my room.
We ate dinner then I brought Cassandra back to her room and waited until she locked the door before returning to my own to prepare for bed. No sooner had I locked the door and started undressing, however, than someone knocked and I sighed inwardly. The day had been taxing enough already and all I wanted was a good night's sleep but the fates obviously had other ideas when planning the course of my life and none of them had to do with rest.
"I will have plenty of time to rest when I am dead, I suppose" I muttered to myself then hollered "who is it?"
"A messenger from the king"
I quickly put on a suitably modest dress, brushed out my hair, and rushed to open the door. The messenger, who could not have been much older than I, looked taken aback when I appeared and I smiled kindly at him "yes?".
My demeanour had the desired effect because the confusion on his face spoke volumes before he had the chance to utter a single word. Whatever message he was delivering likely had to do with my behavior at dinner and now I could see him wondering why it had been issued.
"King Priam sends an order for you to appear in the grand hall immediately".
"Of course, please tell him I will be there as soon as I am presentable" I replied politely
"Yes, my lady"
Only when he hurried away to relay my message did I see my cousin standing in the doorway of hers and Hektor's chambers, her brow furrowed in concern. Once the messenger was out of sight, she disappeared for a moment then reappeared with her son and came to me. "What was that about?" she inquired as I closed the door of my room behind her "he told me that King Priam wishes to see me immediately. I suspect that it has something to do with the argument I had with Paris at dinner. He insulted Cassandra in front of his wife and everyone within earshot so I scolded him for it" I told her and put my amulet back on and neatened my hair.
Andromache whitened and she quickly pushed the baby into my arms "take him with you and, if Priam questions it, tell him that the baby is staying with you tonight because Hektor and I are otherwise engaged. It is not much but it will at least buy us time to find a solution to this" she then kissed my forehead "it will be alright. Just do not mention Paris and Helen unless he speaks of them first".
I smiled bitterly "I will do my best, cousin".