Chapter 4: Secrets and Speculation

“Who are you?” Cassandra asked.

Monea opened her eyes and lowered her hands, the orb floating above one opened palm. She gave the Guardian an expressionless look, contemplating her answer. Shaking her head, she crossed the room to the bed pressed against the wall. Lifting the sphere of light higher, she revealed Ganymede.

Cassandra rushed to the bed and knelt beside it. Ganymede was asleep, his breathing shallow but even. His bare chest was visible, the white bandages that bound his ribs visible above the edge of the heavy blanket. Numerous cuts and bruises covered his face, shoulder, and chest.

“What happened?” Cassandra asked, glancing up at Monea.

“When he fell, some of the bigger chunks of debris landed on top of him. Since you fell after he did, you were spared for the most part.”

Monea moved closer to them. “Not of his injuries are very serious, but I have been giving him a sleeping draught to keep him quiet and peaceful. I’ve been doing my best to hide the two of you.”

“Why have you had to hide us? How did you?”

“Cignus has changed since the House of Light fell all those years ago,” the young women stated, her voice still a whisper. “The House and its Guardians are a mere legend to many of the people here. I was shocked to find you, actually. I had doubts that the old tales were true. Which of the Guardians are you, if I may ask?”

“Cassandra, the Guardian of Hope,” she replied, her fingers still checking the extent of Ganymede’s injuries. Gratefully, none were too serious. If she could wake him up and get him to retransform, he would be okay.

The Guardian turned her emerald eyes to Monea. “Why do you have to hide us?”

Monea sighed. “There are minions of the Shadow Moon everywhere. None of the safe havens are particularly safe. In fact, we have stayed here too long. We need to move on, but I don’t know what to do with your friend. Stealth is absolutely vital.”

Cassandra rose to her feet and stretched to her full height, a few inches taller than Monea. “And how exactly do I know that you are not one of the minions you are warning us about?”

To her credit, the girl did not back away or even break eye contact with the Guardian. “If I was, I would have turned you over by now.”

Cassandra lifted one purple eyebrow, studying the young woman intently. “Perhaps.”

“I know you don’t trust me. If I was in your position, I wouldn’t either. Not by a long shot.” Monea paused and glanced past Cassandra at Ganymede. “We need to leave soon. I’ll go gather my supplies and come back here. Stay as silent as possible. The sleeping draught should be wearing off, which means your friend should wake up any minutes. By the way, does he have a name?”

“He does,” Cassandra replied, but she gave no further response.

Monea nodded, not disturbed by the Guardian’s answer. “Agreed. The less we know about each other the better.”

She walked over to the candle and closed her eyes again in concentration. The flame of the candle sputtered and then flared with new life. Glancing over her shoulder, Monea smiled at the amazement in the Guardian’s eyes.

“I’ll return shortly,” the young woman stated and closed the door behind her.

* * * * *

Leda’s voice trailed off as a stricken look appeared on her face. “Oh dear God,” she breathed, her eyes boring into Dido’s.

“What? What’s wrong?” Dido demanded.

“If Duthbert is working for the Shadow Empire, he would think that we are still on Cignus,” she said, her gray eyes beginning to look desperate. “Paul and Cassandra could be in more trouble than we think.”

Dido’s eyes widened. “By the throne of Cignus,” she said in an awed tone. “We have to go back, Your Highness.”

Leda rose to her feet, nodding. “I know, Dido. I know.”

She heaved a shuddering sigh. “How could I have been so blind for so long?!”

Dido placed a hand on her shoulder. “Leda, now it is not a time for blame, if there is any. Make whatever preparations you need to make. I will meet you in your chambers, agreed?”

Leda nodded. “I will met you there in a few minutes.”

Dido watched the princess of Jupiter rush out of the room. Admonishing herself, the Guardian of Compassion strove to her dresser and picked up the teardrop pendent. She would be returning to Cignus once more to face even more danger than they had initially feared.

“So much for peace and quiet,” Dido murmured. “Compassion Guardian Battle Power-Up!”

* * * * *

The insistent knock on the door woke Alex and Caitlyn. Swinging his feet over the edge of the bed, he grumbled, “This had better be important.” He rose to his feet and grabbed his robe.

Since they had unofficially taken over for Leda and Paul, he and Caitlyn had been awaken several times at odd hours of the night over some pretty petty matters. Pulling on her robe as well, his wife agreed, promising a slow and painful death for the offending person at the door. Whoever it was, they still continued to knock.

Caitlyn opened the door and quickly stepped back to let the visitor in. “Leda, what’s wrong?”

The Princess of Jupiter closed the door quickly behind her, nodding to her brother-in-law. “I’m sorry to wake you both up, but Dido and I have to return to Cignus. Now.”

Alex folded his arms. “Why now?”

Leda gave him a barely tolerant look. “It’s possible that whoever was responsible for the kidnappings thinks that Dido and I are still on Cignus. That means that Cassandra and Paul are in even more trouble than we left them.”

“There’s something you’re not telling us,” Caitlyn stated.

Leda sighed. “I think it’s possible that Duthbert took Scylla and has been working for the Shadow Moon Empire.”

“Duthbert?” Caitlyn cried. “Leda, are you losing it? That old man working for the Shadow Moon? He remembers who he is on a good day!”

“Appearances are deceiving, Caitlyn,” Leda replied. “Look, I’m going to Cignus. I’m getting Paul, Cassandra, and the cure for Ilene and searching for answers about Scylla while I’m at it. I need you two to hold things together until all this madness ends.

Alex shook his head. “If Duthbert did take Scylla, which I am finding hard to believe, that means that there is still a Shadow Moon Empire. How would it survive without Hecate?”

“I don’t know, Alex,” Leda said. “I don’t have any answers. But I have to go back. If something has to Paul and Cassandra, I would never forgive myself. Please, help me out just a little bit longer.”

Caitlyn held up a hand to cut off a remark from her husband. “We will, Leda.”

Leda bowed her head to the pair. “Thank you.”

“When are you leaving?”

“Now,” Leda replied. “Again, thank you.”

Alex met his wife’s worried look with one of his own as the princess left their room.

* * * * *

He tried to pull himself into a sitting position but the pain in his chest prevented the movement. Blinking to adjust his eyes to the low light in the room, Ganymede surveyed his surroundings. Cassandra rushed to his side when she realized that he was awake.

“Please be quiet, my lord,” the Guardian whispered. “How do you feel?”

“A little achy,” he replied with a wry grin. “Did you get the number of the bus that hit me?”

Cassandra gave a faint smile. “You are in good spirits, which is good. I think if you detransformed and then changed back, you will be all right.”

Ganymede nodded. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

With her help, he managed to sit up. Concentrating, he changed back into his normal form, the pain lessening considerably. A few moments later, he transformed back into Ganymede.

“Now, how do you feel, my lord?”

Ganymede swung his feet over the edge of the bed, glad to be full clothed once again. “A little sore, Guardian, but fine none the less. Why do we have to whisper? Where are we?”

Sitting beside him, Cassandra began to tell Ganymede all she knew about their current situation.

* * * * *

Iphigenia sat up in her bed, a familiar tingling sensation coursing through her body. She jumped out of the bed, her charm bracelet chiming softly as she hurried across the room. She opened her door, only to meet Dido dressed in her battle gear.

“What’s going on?” Iphigenia asked, maintaining her tight grip on the door.

“Something’s happened. The princess and I are returning to Cignus.”

“When? What’s happened?”

Dido shook her head. “Tonight. It’s possible that Cassandra and Ganymede are in more trouble than we originally thought. Can you manage things here with the Sailor Soldiers, little one?”

Iphigenia’s usually serene eyes narrowed into slits as she glared at the other Guardian. “I’m not a child anymore, Dido. I’m sure that we will be able to handle things here.”

Dido gave an apologetic smile. “Old habits die hard, Iphigenia. Just keep an eye on things for me, okay?”

The Guardian of History nodded. “I always do.”


Secrets and Speculation “Who are you?” Cassandra asked. Monea opened her eyes and lowered her hands, the orb floating above one opened palm. She gave the Guardian an expressionless look, contemplating her answer. Shaking her head, she crossed the room to the bed pressed against the wall. Lifting the sphere of light higher, she revealed Ganymede. Cassandra rushed to the bed and knelt beside it. Ganymede was asleep, his breathing shallow but even. His bare chest was visible, the white bandages that bound his ribs visible above the edge of the heavy blanket. Numerous cuts and bruises covered his face, shoulder, and chest. “What happened?” Cassandra asked, glancing up at Monea. “When he fell, some of the bigger chunks of debris landed on top of him. Since you fell after he did, you were spared for the most part.” Monea moved closer to them. “Not of his injuries are very serious, but I have been giving him a sleeping draught to keep him quiet and peaceful. I’ve been doing my best to hide the two of you.” “Why have you had to hide us? How did you?” “Cignus has changed since the House of Light fell all those years ago,” the young women stated, her voice still a whisper. “The House and its Guardians are a mere legend to many of the people here. I was shocked to find you, actually. I had doubts that the old tales were true. Which of the Guardians are you, if I may ask?” “Cassandra, the Guardian of Hope,” she replied, her fingers still checking the extent of Ganymede’s injuries. Gratefully, none were too serious. If she could wake him up and get him to retransform, he would be okay. The Guardian turned her emerald eyes to Monea. “Why do you have to hide us?” Monea sighed. “There are minions of the Shadow Moon everywhere. None of the safe havens are particularly safe. In fact, we have stayed here too long. We need to move on, but I don’t know what to do with your friend. Stealth is absolutely vital.” Cassandra rose to her feet and stretched to her full height, a few inches taller than Monea. “And how exactly do I know that you are not one of the minions you are warning us about?” To her credit, the girl did not back away or even break eye contact with the Guardian. “If I was, I would have turned you over by now.” Cassandra lifted one purple eyebrow, studying the young woman intently. “Perhaps.” “I know you don’t trust me. If I was in your position, I wouldn’t either. Not by a long shot.” Monea paused and glanced past Cassandra at Ganymede. “We need to leave soon. I’ll go gather my supplies and come back here. Stay as silent as possible. The sleeping draught should be wearing off, which means your friend should wake up any minutes. By the way, does he have a name?” “He does,” Cassandra replied, but she gave no further response. Monea nodded, not disturbed by the Guardian’s answer. “Agreed. The less we know about each other the better.” She walked over to the candle and closed her eyes again in concentration. The flame of the candle sputtered and then flared with new life. Glancing over her shoulder, Monea smiled at the amazement in the Guardian’s eyes. “I’ll return shortly,” the young woman stated and closed the door behind her. * * * * * Leda’s voice trailed off as a stricken look appeared on her face. “Oh dear God,” she breathed, her eyes boring into Dido’s. “What? What’s wrong?” Dido demanded. “If Duthbert is working for the Shadow Empire, he would think that we are still on Cignus,” she said, her gray eyes beginning to look desperate. “Paul and Cassandra could be in more trouble than we think.” Dido’s eyes widened. “By the throne of Cignus,” she said in an awed tone. “We have to go back, Your Highness.” Leda rose to her feet, nodding. “I know, Dido. I know.” She heaved a shuddering sigh. “How could I have been so blind for so long?!” Dido placed a hand on her shoulder. “Leda, now it is not a time for blame, if there is any. Make whatever preparations you need to make. I will meet you in your chambers, agreed?” Leda nodded. “I will met you there in a few minutes.” Dido watched the princess of Jupiter rush out of the room. Admonishing herself, the Guardian of Compassion strove to her dresser and picked up the teardrop pendent. She would be returning to Cignus once more to face even more danger than they had initially feared. “So much for peace and quiet,” Dido murmured. “Compassion Guardian Battle Power-Up!” * * * * * The insistent knock on the door woke Alex and Caitlyn. Swinging his feet over the edge of the bed, he grumbled, “This had better be important.” He rose to his feet and grabbed his robe. Since they had unofficially taken over for Leda and Paul, he and Caitlyn had been awaken several times at odd hours of the night over some pretty petty matters. Pulling on her robe as well, his wife agreed, promising a slow and painful death for the offending person at the door. Whoever it was, they still continued to knock. Caitlyn opened the door and quickly stepped back to let the visitor in. “Leda, what’s wrong?” The Princess of Jupiter closed the door quickly behind her, nodding to her brother-in-law. “I’m sorry to wake you both up, but Dido and I have to return to Cignus. Now.” Alex folded his arms. “Why now?” Leda gave him a barely tolerant look. “It’s possible that whoever was responsible for the kidnappings thinks that Dido and I are still on Cignus. That means that Cassandra and Paul are in even more trouble than we left them.” “There’s something you’re not telling us,” Caitlyn stated. Leda sighed. “I think it’s possible that Duthbert took Scylla and has been working for the Shadow Moon Empire.” “Duthbert?” Caitlyn cried. “Leda, are you losing it? That old man working for the Shadow Moon? He remembers who he is on a good day!” “Appearances are deceiving, Caitlyn,” Leda replied. “Look, I’m going to Cignus. I’m getting Paul, Cassandra, and the cure for Ilene and searching for answers about Scylla while I’m at it. I need you two to hold things together until all this madness ends. Alex shook his head. “If Duthbert did take Scylla, which I am finding hard to believe, that means that there is still a Shadow Moon Empire. How would it survive without Hecate?” “I don’t know, Alex,” Leda said. “I don’t have any answers. But I have to go back. If something has to Paul and Cassandra, I would never forgive myself. Please, help me out just a little bit longer.” Caitlyn held up a hand to cut off a remark from her husband. “We will, Leda.” Leda bowed her head to the pair. “Thank you.” “When are you leaving?” “Now,” Leda replied. “Again, thank you.” Alex met his wife’s worried look with one of his own as the princess left their room. * * * * * He tried to pull himself into a sitting position but the pain in his chest prevented the movement. Blinking to adjust his eyes to the low light in the room, Ganymede surveyed his surroundings. Cassandra rushed to his side when she realized that he was awake. “Please be quiet, my lord,” the Guardian whispered. “How do you feel?” “A little achy,” he replied with a wry grin. “Did you get the number of the bus that hit me?” Cassandra gave a faint smile. “You are in good spirits, which is good. I think if you detransformed and then changed back, you will be all right.” Ganymede nodded. “Sounds like a plan to me.” With her help, he managed to sit up. Concentrating, he changed back into his normal form, the pain lessening considerably. A few moments later, he transformed back into Ganymede. “Now, how do you feel, my lord?” Ganymede swung his feet over the edge of the bed, glad to be full clothed once again. “A little sore, Guardian, but fine none the less. Why do we have to whisper? Where are we?” Sitting beside him, Cassandra began to tell Ganymede all she knew about their current situation. * * * * * Iphigenia sat up in her bed, a familiar tingling sensation coursing through her body. She jumped out of the bed, her charm bracelet chiming softly as she hurried across the room. She opened her door, only to meet Dido dressed in her battle gear. “What’s going on?” Iphigenia asked, maintaining her tight grip on the door. “Something’s happened. The princess and I are returning to Cignus.” “When? What’s happened?” Dido shook her head. “Tonight. It’s possible that Cassandra and Ganymede are in more trouble than we originally thought. Can you manage things here with the Sailor Soldiers, little one?” Iphigenia’s usually serene eyes narrowed into slits as she glared at the other Guardian. “I’m not a child anymore, Dido. I’m sure that we will be able to handle things here.” Dido gave an apologetic smile. “Old habits die hard, Iphigenia. Just keep an eye on things for me, okay?” The Guardian of History nodded. “I always do.”


Chapter 5: Survivors Jupiter's Gone