Upon leaving Vardaros, Cassandra remembered that the next obstacle in her path was the Forest of No Return. Taking into consideration her circumstances, she decided to cut a path south and then turn westward once more, thus avoiding the forest altogether. Unfortunately, the swath of ever changing brush seemed unending. It took three days to get far enough southwards to be able to see her way around the outside. Once there, she turned Fidella to the west and continued her way towards her ultimate, unknown, destination.

All along the way, she kept faithfully writing back to Corona, reporting on her adventures and the mysterious symbol that she'd cut from Ambrosia's armor. Rapunzel's first letter back had been one of fright when she heard about how violent the confrontation in Vardaros had been. However, Cassandra was able to reassure her friend that, in spite of a few typical bruises and scratches, she was all right.

I'm dealing with this infernal wood right now, she had written, but, thankfully, that's the most exasperating thing in my life…well, that, and the constant pain of being apart from you, Raps.

Pain. Cassandra knew all too well what this felt like. Ever since leaving Corona, she'd had to deal with it on a daily basis. Waking up in the great outdoors without anyone there to greet her was bad enough. But having to do it without said greeter also creating whimsical designs on pancakes was worse. It wasn't the designs themselves that she missed, but rather the creativity of the one who made them. She missed Rapunzel's kindness, her spunk, her enthusiasm, and her endlessly joyful outlook on life. It helped balance out her own cynicism and practicality.

She'd constantly remind herself of her promise to return to Corona one day. It might take a long time, but she swore up and down to keep it. That's what kept her moving forward, never looking back. She was going to find her destiny, discover the meaning of this Ambrosian symbol, and then head back to Corona to share everything with Rapunzel. Not only that, but she'd be there to share in Rapunzel and Eugene's wedding celebration.

I always knew it was coming, she thought as Fidella galloped along the southern edge of the forest, I just didn't think I'd be this…enthused about it.

It wasn't that she wanted Rapunzel to be alone and unhappy. She just hadn't wanted her to marry Eugene; or, at least, that's what she thought. From day one, she and the former thief had been siblings from different parents. They'd always fought, they acted like children, yet there was a definite love and care between them. She considered him equal to a brother. There were times when she wanted to kill him, yet she'd also die before allowing anyone to hurt him. Their relationship had gotten better in recent years, though he still did things that drove her insane.

You'd better be good to her, she thought fiercely. If you aren't, then her father won't be the only pissed off person you need to worry about.

She continued moving westwards along the forest's edge until, finally, she reached the end. Looking ahead, she saw the path towards the Spire, now clearly marked for those who wanted to visit the ancient museum's treasures. She groaned inwardly, knowing that Calliope would be waiting on the other end of the trail. Her promise to Rapunzel to check up on everyone they'd visited on their journey suddenly weighed very heavily on her. Calliope had been nothing but trouble and she really didn't feel like revisiting that level of pompous arrogance again. Even though Calliope was technically the new Keeper of the Spire, Cassandra still had doubts…severe ones.

A promise is a promise, Cassandra thought, and, if there's one thing Raps taught me, it's to never break one.

So, she gulped and, somewhat reluctantly, kept pressing forward. The air was cool and breezy leading to the Spire, reminding her of the first time she'd come here. She could almost hear Rapunzel's infectious laughter and Eugene's irritating self-aggrandizement. Caravan wheels seemed to creak in the distant wind. A sudden whinny from Fidella brought back memories of when her and Maximus had pulled them along this very path. It was wooded and shady, which Cassandra found to be a tremendous relief from the desert sands of Vardaros.

The Spire was a day's travel outside of the Forest of No Return, but she made good time. Thankfully, she didn't have to lug a heavy caravan. Upon arrival, she tied Fidella to the hitching post outside and dismounted, keeping her sword handy just in case. The Spire was full of exotic, expensive items. There was no telling just what or who would be hanging around. She'd heard rumors in Corona before leaving that the museum had been attacked by multiple gangs of bandits in the years since becoming more well known to the outside world.

"Hello?" She called after making her way inside. "Calliope?"

"Who goes there?!" Came the Keeper's sharp, annoying voice.

Cassandra rolled her eyes. "It's Cassandra…Rapunzel's best friend!"

"Oh? I thought you were her mom"

Cassandra gritted her teeth. "No…not her mom…just her friend…"

Suddenly, Calliope rounded a corner and smirked. "Oh, yeah, those crow's feet are definitely getting worse."

Cassandra had to stop herself from flying into a rage. "It's…so…good…to see you…Calliope."

Calliope chuckled. "Wish I could say the same for you, Cassandra. Last time you were here, if I recall correctly, you had blue hair, had swiped the Moonstone from Rapunzel, tied me to the top of the Spire's Vault, and tried to kill me."

Cassandra blushed as she remembered her actions. "I'm sorry, Calliope. My actions were born out of jealousy and rage and I let them go way too far."

"I know," Calliope said, giddy as a schoolgirl. "I heard you got yourself banished from Corona. Pity. Absolute pity."

"Look, Calliope, much as I'd LOVE to stay and continue this discussion on a past I'm trying to redeem myself from, I promised Rapunzel I'd check in on everyone we visited on our journey and that includes you."

"Aw, is the Princess concerned for me?" Calliope asked. "Not that I care…I mean, she couldn't even pronounce Spire correctly."

"Don't even go there, Calliope," Cassandra warned.

Calliope's smirk grew. "Oh, come off it, Cassandra. I'm not gonna lecture you or anyone else on the proper pronunciation of my home. I'm just gonna revel in knowing that I'm right and you're wrong."

Cassandra had just about had enough of Calliope's arrogance. "Okay, I can see you're doing well. I'm gonna be going now."

"Wait," Calliope said as Cassandra turned. "Where, exactly, are you going?"

"I…I don't know," Cassandra responded, turning back. "I'm using this as an opportunity to chase my real destiny and…I…I don't know what that is."

"Perhaps I can be of some assistance."

Cassandra groaned inwardly once more. Out of everyone she could possibly run into out here, Calliope was the last guide she wanted. But, much as she hated to admit it, the Keeper was very intelligent about local lore…that, and she was willing to help. So, Cassandra decided to pull the leather strap she'd cut from Ambrosia's armor out and see if Calliope recognized its symbol.

"Know anything about this?" Cassandra asked once she'd procured it.

"Wow…" Calliope said, eyes growing wide. "Cassandra, do you know what this is?!"

"Uh, no, hence my previous question."

"Of course, you don't," Calliope huffed. "This is the ancient symbol of the Kingdom of Neclectia!"

"Neclectia?" Cass asked.

"Yes!" Calliope said as her excitement returned. "The legendary eighth kingdom!"

"Wait…there's…an eighth?"

"Oh my word, what are they teaching you guys in Corona?" Calliope asked sarcastically. "Yes, there's an eighth…or, at least…there was."

"What do you mean?"

"Well…it all started five hundred years ago…"