Ten years later
Cassandra took her time preparing for her meeting with Hippolyta. If Artemis found out she made the good Queen wait she’d be furious. Thankfully, she wasn’t present. The walk from her bed chambers to the Queen’s dining chamber was filled with beautiful scenery. Trees growing various fruits shared the path with monuments dedicated to various Amazons who had already left this life. Cassandra took a moment to view the one leading to the chamber, “Diana, Wondrous Champion of Peace” graced the stone as well as a small carving of a woman who looked barely older than Cassandra, fighting a Gorgon.
You remind me of her.” Cassandra jumped at the voice. She turned her neck to make eye contact with its owner. “She would have felt great honor to meet you Cassandra.” The Queen walked so she was an arm’s length from her and extended her arm. Cassandra clasped her hand around her wrist, the common handshake among Amazons and other warriors.
The two walked to the lengthy dining table topped with a feast. Hippolyta sat at one end and motioned for Cassandra to join her. She chose a seat directly to the royalty’s right. “You really went all out, huh?” They shared a brief chuckle.
“We will soon be joined by someone who can help you. Until they arrive we are simply two confidants talking.” A pair of Amazons Cassandra rarely saw filled three goblets on the table with red wine. They returned to the kitchen, leaving Cassandra’s empty. A moment later one returned to fill hers with water and left again.
“When you asked for me earlier I thought I did something wrong. Now I’m confused. Not that I don’t enjoy your company.” Cassandra chose her words carefully. She was asked to attend an early dinner with the Queen but was not given a reason.
“You are not in trouble, Cassandra. I wish to discuss your future.” The Queen took a moment to sip from her crystal. “You are destined for greatness. This greatness, unfortunately, means you must leave Themysicira to achieve it.”
“You’re kicking me off the Isand?” Cassandra could not help but show a hint of hurt in her voice. “I have to leave?”
“No! Hera no. Believe me, child, this is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made.”
“I thought my destiny was to be here. I thought the reason I left everything behind was to fulfill it. Now you’re telling me I have to return because of it?” Without realizing, the young woman raised her voice.
“The fates weave their web. We cannot predict where it will end. All we can do is decide how to get there.” The Queen remained calm with her explanation. “I do not want to lose you. I have already lost a daughter, something I wish upon no mother.” The Queen stared into space, something in her eyes told Cassandra she was remembering the past.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have blown up like that.” The silence gave the youth time to regain her composure. “Why am I so important? Artemis said I’d know when the time was right, shouldn’t I know why by now? If I’m to return, shouldn’t I know why I left in the first place?”
“Your questions are justified, however it is not my place to answer them. You have a choice, to follow your path or to deny it. I will not force you to chose what I deem best.” The Queen offered a warm smile. “Although, if you were to return you would be reunited with your mother.”
The Queen knew how to strike a chord, that was certain. “My mother?”
“A mother and a daughter should never be denied each other. There is a bond so strong that even the fates cannot destroy and the gods should know better than to interfere.” Once again, Hippolyta took a sip of wine. Her eyes were glazed with a thin layer of water and Cassandra could see a lone tear travel down her cheek.
“You had a daughter?” Something clicked in Cassandra’s head. Her thoughts returned to the monuments of fallen Amazons, more specifically to the Queen’s favorite. “Diana was your daughter, wasn’t she?”
The elder leaned towards the youth and whispered, “Yes. I lost her so many years ago, yet her smile is always with me. I am sure your mother feels the same pain I feel and because of that I believe you should return.” The Queen retreated to her original position and continued in her normal voice, “Destiny will always be there, but will your mother?”
The two Amazons returned, each carrying a box made of clay which they placed next to Cassandra’s feet. “These will assist you, should you decide to return. I fear the many battles ahead will be challenging.”
The young girl opened the first box. Inside she found a girdle, one that was black splattered with white specks. Underneath that was a set of silver armor. There was a breastplate to protect the wearer’s heart, a set of gauntlets decorated by a thin ankh carved into each to protect the wearer’s life and a golden Corinthian helmet to protect the wearer’s wisdom. The breastplate had a golden eagle, similar to the one watching over the Temple of Hera, spread across the chest. The eagle graced the front of the helmet as well.
Inside the second box was a set of silver greaves. Next was a pair of tan boots. Hippolyta watched as the girl slowly inspected the final piece, a lemon colored rope unlike anything she’d seen before. “I get the significance of everything but why give me a rope?” Cassandra dangled it in front of Hippolyta.
“This is more than a rope, child. It is a lasso blessed by the gods themselves. Anyone encircled by the lasso is compelled to speak only the absolute truth.” Cassandra smiled. “It is important you know who to trust. If you ever doubt then the lasso will assist.”
“Thank you.” The Amazons once again left to return to the kitchen. “I want you to know Diana was lucky to have you as a mother. I know I was to be welcomed and embraced by you. Thanks.”
“You are like a daughter to me, Cassandra, perhaps more so than the others. You will always have haven on Themyscira if the need arises.” The Amazons returned with the Queen’s guests.
Two ladies in their early thirties dressed in business suits approached the table. Hippolyta stood and Cassandra followed. “Polly! It’s great to hear from you. We were just talking about you, weren’t we, Veronica?” Both had a natural beauty about them.
Veronica was taller of the two, close to six feet with her heals. She wore her blonde hair in a bun but somehow managed to make it seem fresh. “Yes, that is right.” While the other spoke with a mid western American accent she spoke with a hint of an English one.
“This young lady must be Cassie? Beautiful name! It fits you well!” The American extended her hand and Cassandra shook it. “I’m Deedra but please, call me Dee Dee!” Cassandra could see Hippolyta try her best to hide a laugh.
Veronica did not offer her hand, instead she slightly nodded, “Hello, Cassandra.”
“Hi.” Dee Dee and Veronica sat on Hippolyta’s left, Veronica sat across from Cassandra. The two new comers took a sip of wine while two new Amazons appeared with food.
“Veronica and Deedra will be your counsels in Patriarch’s world, again if you chose to leave.” Dee Dee flashed a toothy smile. Cassandra had never met a more bubbly person.
“That’s right. We’ve known Polly for ages! She sent us a message a few days ago and explained your situation to us. I just knew we had to help! We’re always looking for ways to improve the world!”
Veronica allowed her partner to talk. She seemed too focused on watching Cassandra to bother with any small talk.
“Thanks. What exactly do you do?”
“Well, we can’t really say. It’s confidential. Over the years we’ve worked hard to keep it that way. We’re involved in security.”
“So you’re going to do what for me exactly?”
“We have the funds and resources to reintroduce Cassandra Sandsmark to Patriarch’s world, as Polly likes to call it, without any questions. No one will know you didn’t finish school in America. No one will know you left the country however many years ago.”
“Almost eleven,” added Cassandra.
“Gosh, eleven years away! So much has happened. But enough of that, you’ll be caught up soon enough.” Dee Dee glanced at Veronica, giving her the floor.
“Most importantly, no one will know about your gifts,” Veronica finally contributed to the conversation. The way she spoke gave Cassandra a chill. Apparently Hippolyta did not feel the same.
“What do I have to do?”
“Pardon me?” Dee Dee was quick to question.
“What you are offering me is great. It’s appealing, but there has to be a catch.” Cassandra looked at her Queen. “I am grateful my Queen.”
A beat passed. For the first time it seemed as if Dee Dee was lost for words. “You are a bright young lady Cassandra. I like that. Of course, I shouldn’t be too shocked considering.” Veronica was the leader of the duo, Cassandra could tell by the way she carried herself. “We have a request, not a demand. You work for us. You use your abilities and become the female Superman, working under our orders.”
“Superman?”
“As Deedra said, you will be caught up soon enough.”
“Who is ‘us’?”
“Fair enough, we work with the various governments and are close with President Luthor and his advisors. We work hard to ensure peace is kept.”
“And if I don’t want a part in any of this?”
“Then you can forget about us and lead the life you chose. If you decide to return we will still give you funds but that will be the end of our contact. No matter what, we will watch out for your best interests. We felt your best interest would be doing good. After all, is that not part of your destiny?” the words flowed like a melody out of Veronica’s mouth.
Dee Dee nudged Veronica. “Sleep on it. No rush in your answer.”
~*~
