Tournament

After the King's announcement, the tournament really began. The first ones to enter the arena were the archeries. Cassie was not the greatest with that weapon, but she wanted to train. She wanted to be able to do everything, so in the battlefield, she would be too weak or deficient. For her, a great warrior had to be able to fight with different types of weapons.

"Two years ago, Oberon was the winner." Saros commented, looking at the players.

"Is he that good, father?" Cassie asked, curious.

"He is the best! You're lucky that I got him for you." Saros raised his cup full of wine and took a sip. "That little rat of Betelgeuse was trying to get his ugly daughter to marry him, but of course, Altair chose wisely."

Altair was the King of Thalassa and Oberon's father. Betelgeuse was the kingdom right next to Thalassa, and people would think that was the best union, but Rigel was the territory ahead of Thalassa and Betelgeuse, making a border with the greater desert and with access to the sea. In fact, Rigel was a very extensive land.

"Oh, I see. So, thank you, father, for finding me such a fine man.' She said, happily. Not for her, but for Zohreh. The Prince seemed to be great and the Princess would probably see things the way Cassie did, when she finally got back.

Cassie felt sad that the Thalassa's heir was not available to participate in the tournament. She would really love to see him in action.

The next few hours, she hardly spoke to anyone, concentrating on analyzing the participants' skills. She could see how they held the bow and the arrow, how their arms moved. Celestia didn't let this pass without notice.

'Why is she so interested in fighting, all of a sudden?'

Saros leaned to his side, to Celestia.

"I think our daughter has finally grown some sense.' He whispered.

"Why do you say that?"

"Can't you see she is trying to know more about this world, so as to impress her fiancé?" He asked as if his wife couldn't have missed that!

"Oh…" She glanced at Cassie. "I think you're right. We should encourage that."

"Definitely!" He agreed. Oberon was older, in his mid twenties, and was never seen around women. Especially those silly ladies. He was not only a warrior, but also very smart and cultured. Zohreh would do good in the second part, but her lack of knowledge about fighting skills, something he was very passionate about, might be a problem. Saros was happy to know his daughter was ready to try and impress the Prince.

When the winner was announced, he approached and stopped in Cassie's direction, offering a red rose to her. She looked to her sides, to see if she did understand it wrongly, and then, he threw the flower to her and bowed.

The man had taken off his helmet and he was very handsome. Cassie looked around, a bit embarrassed and made a movement with the rose as if that was a glass of wine, saluting the archer.

"Duke Pluto Hansley is a sight to behold." Celestia murmured to Cassie.

'Ah, he is a Duke, then. That explains his noble attitude.', she thought.

The other girls were all sighing, as if in love with the young blond man with bright blue eyes. His features were all harmonious, giving him an arrogant and gentle air, at the same time.

He smirked and left the arena, having not looked at any other woman but Cassie. She thought it was curious. That people had no idea what she looked like!

The day was done and the other fights would take place in the next two days, which didn't take as long as Cassie had expected.

She learned a lot about fighting, on campus and confrontation. Of course, it was nothing like in the battlefield, she was sure of that. But either way, it was educational and amazing.

"We're leaving by morning." Her mother opened the door to announce it, but as Cassie was not expecting it, she had no veil on her face and her legs were showing under her robe. Celestia's eyes widened and she entered the room, as if she was shocked by something.

"What is it, mother?" Cassie asked, startled.

Celestia got on her knees and held the hem of Cassie's outfit, pushing it up and looking at the scar on her tight.

"What in the Goddess's name is that?" Her voice was low and she raised her eyes at her 'daughter'. Just then Cassie understood what was happening and she had to come up with a good excuse.

Two years before, she was getting wood for the oven in the kitchen, when some boys approached her. They mocked her, pushed her and, in the end, the older got a knife from his vests and cut her skin while the others held her down. He left a small 'C' there. Now, it was nothing but a scar.

"It is old…" she said and her mother frowned.

"But how didn't I see that? I have helped you get dressed, before."

"I… I disguised it with makeup." She replied fast and there was a moment of silence between her and the Queen. For a second, Cassie thought she would get caught, but Celestia nodded, as if that made sense and got up.

"Keep that well hidden. No husband likes to see a scar on a woman's body. " She left the room, leaving Cassie alone.

'That was close!', she let herself fall on the bed, arms up her head.

Cassie got ready to sleep, because the next day she would have to leave Quasar. She had never thought that day would actually arrive. Of course, she had something different in mind, like going to the Academy, a hero. But now she could see life was always a surprise box. At least she would have a chance of achieving her goals, after one more year.