Cassandra's Challenge (85 page)

“Besides say who the Glitter Man is?” Cassandra
has captured her attention just like she’d hoped.

“Yes besides that. I need you to watch him for
me, the whole time. Watch his reactions to what I’m saying. Tori,
he doesn’t know, doesn’t know you’ve remember, that you’ve told. He
thinks of you as a scared little girl. He doesn’t know that you’re
the bravest girl on any planet, that you know what he did, that you
understand what he said, and more important that you know
who
he is.”

“He doesn’t?” She watches as Victoria begins to
understand.

“He doesn’t, so he’s going to be very surprised
at some of the things I say. I need to know when he gets mad.
Because when he does…”

“His eyes will glitter. But how will I tell
you?”

“Well I was thinking if I’m sitting listening to
Yakira then
vous pouvez parler français pour moi
, but in a
whisper. I will nod if I hear you.”

The Zafar men look at each other trying to
follow the women’s conversation. “Cassandra…” Her hand on William’s
arm stops him.

“And when I’m on the platform speaking and you
think I need to know something.” Moving her hands Cassandra signs
‘you do this’. “Okay? Can you do that? Be my second set of
eyes?”

“I can do that.” Fear leaves Tori’s eyes
replaced by determination. Holding up her fist Cassandra gives her
a bump. Rising she goes back to sit next to Lucas.

“What did you say to her?” William asks.

“To speak French to me, it was a language on
Earth. No one will know what she’s saying.”

“And the hand thing.”

“Sign language a way to speak to each other
without saying a word.”

“And no one will know what you’re saying.”
William grips her face. “You are truly
brilliant
!”

Cassandra’s smile fades as she looks out the
window of the Limisin. Following her gaze William sees they are
approaching the Assembly Hall. Turning back he sees the shutters
fall, but not before he sees the nerves. Leaning over so only she
can hear he touches her cheek.

“Take a deep breath. You are in control here.
Whatever you want to do we’ll do.” Looking into her husband’s eyes
Cassandra can feel herself settling, her nerves disappearing as the
Limisin stops she kisses his lips.

“I’m ready.”

Guards exit their Limisins, surrounding the
second Limisin first. Once everyone is out, as one they move to the
third, to the Challenger. Kyle is the first to exit when Lucas
moves to follow Cassandra grabs his wrist.

“Lucas….” Her eyes bore into his.

“With my life.” Nodding she releases him, with
one last look at his father he gets out holding out his hand for
Victoria he helps her out.

Saying nothing William looks at Cassandra at her
nod he steps out of the Limisin. His eyes scan the crowd gathered
outside the Assembly Hall. Assembly security is holding them back
they all want a look at the Challenger, at his wife. None of them
are getting close to her.

Seeing the Assembly security approach he steps
forward. Cassandra knows she’s not to step out of the Limisin until
he assists her.

“Admiral, we are here to escort you to your
places in the Hall.”

“You’re security will flank ours.”

“Yes Admiral.”

Returning to the Limisin he extends his hand to
his wife.

Waiting inside Cassandra organizes her thoughts.
Everyone in this building is here to judge her, to decide if she is
worthy of being Queen. They thought she’d used a good man to get to
this point. That all she wants is the throne. They’re wrong. They
didn’t know what she did. They didn’t know her and that is her
advantage. When William extends his hand she slides hers in, time
to reveal a traitor.

The noise level of the Assembly Hall is high as
the group enters crossing the platform to their seats it quiets.
All want to see the Challenger, this woman from another planet
claiming to be the lost Princess. Rumors have been flying, she’s
gained the protection of the most respected Admiral in the fleet, a
hero too many, is said to be using him when security steps aside
they final get their first look.

She’s tiny, really tiny, hardly over six feet.
Dressed in black, her dark hair moves freely around her shoulders
and face, but it’s her blue eyes are what give most pause. They are
brilliant sapphire blue and currently scanning the room seemingly
taking everything in at once.

Cassandra was prepared for the size of the
Assembly. A main floor that was divided into five sections, one for
each House, each section contained seating for the twenty
Assemblymen and their Royals, all who would be present today. It’s
the balconies that have her raising an eyebrow. There were three of
them, each progressively higher wrapping around the front half to
the room, filled to overflowing. Glancing at Victoria she sees her
eyes are dancing with wonder, trying to see everything at once.

William watches her take it all in. He’d been
prepared for the mass of people wanting to see his wife and still
the sheer number is impressive. Cassandra would have not just the
ears of the Assembly but of the people of Carina. The raising of
her eyebrow is the only indication she gives that she’s
surprised.

Looking into the Assembly she finds familiar
faces. Terwilliger is the Head of the Assembly therefore the House
of Protection occupies the center section. He’s seated in front,
next to the podium he will speak from, the other House of
Protection Assemblymen around him. Jotham and Barek are seated
behind them, along with the other Royals of the House. It is where
William, Lucas and Kyle would have been sitting if not for her.

To the left sits the House of Knowledge’s
Assemblymen, Bevington is there watching. The Queen’s seats are
empty but Royals have filled the remaining ones. As she takes in
the remaining Assembly, William touches her elbow.

Turning her attention to him she sees his
strength and commitment to her. “You can sit.” He leans down to
tell her. “You don’t need to stand until her arrival.”

“But I’m not going to rise for her entrance.”
Cassandra turns her face to his. They lips nearly touching. “She
won’t be much longer, she wants this over.”

Many watch the interplay between them with
interest until their attention is drawn away by the entrance of
Queen Yakira.

Yakira enters first. As William predicted, her
gown is simple, white in color coming only to her knees. When she
walks the outline of a tower can be seen on the inside of her right
calf. Her hair is piled high on her head, an open crown keeping it
in place. Across her chest a chain of heavy gold secures a robe on
her shoulders, the sapphire velvet trailing six feet behind
her.

Cassandra leans towards William her eyes never
leaving Yakira. “
That’s
her birthmark?”

“Now you understand my reaction to yours.”
Cassandra’s had been twice as dark when he’d first noticed it over
thirty days ago.

As Yakira crosses the platform there are claps
and hollers from her supporters in the Assembly. Acknowledging them
she waits for Audric and her children come to stand behind her.

Cassandra hears Victoria’s quick breath. “Are
you okay?” She asks in French her eyes never leaving Yakira.

“Yes.” She replies in the same language.

Turning Yakira assumes her position on the other
side of the platform, her staff having to arrange her robe.
Watching, Cassandra wonders how she’s going to move when she has to
defend her appointment to the throne.

Yakira final looks across the platform to her,
with a slight nod Cassandra acknowledges her then takes
her
seat first. The rest of the Challenger’s group follows. Yakira’s
eyes widen at the move, the Assembly fills with whispers. Ignoring
it all Cassandra turns her attention to Terwilliger.

Terwilliger, is as amazed as the rest of the
Assembly at the Challenger’s move. In his fifty cycles in the
Assembly he has seen and heard everything, nothing surprises him
anymore. But watching the Challenger, a young woman he only
recently met, he thinks that not only he, but all of Carina is in
for a very
big
surprise. Rising, he approaches the podium.
It is time.

“Citizens of Carina, Assemblymen, Royals, we
come here today to witness the Challenge by Cassandra Qwes
Chamberlain to Queen Yakira, trustee to the throne of the House of
Knowledge.” Terwilliger pauses allowing the supporters of Yakira to
quiet.

“We will begin with the presentation of the
Challenger. She will then present her Challenge to the throne.”

While Terwilliger speaks Cassandra looks down at
Victoria sitting to her left. Moving her hand slightly she makes a
fist. Victoria gives her a little bump. Going to stand she finds
William there, holding out his hand to assist her. Taking his hand
her expression doesn’t change, only William sees the flash of love
in her eyes, only he feels her thumb caress the ring he wears. When
she steps away from him his heart tightens. Resuming his seat his
eyes follow her.

Everyone watches her walk across the platform.
Her stride smooth and confident, eyes steady, face calm.

“Assemblyman Terwilliger, thank you for the
introduction but I’m afraid you’ve been misinformed.” She calmly
looks around the Assembly.

“My name…is Cassandra Qwes
Zafar
.” The
Assembly is shocked into silence. “Now that my correct name is
entered into the record I will return to my seat so Queen Yakira
may defend her appointment as Trustee to the throne of the House of
Knowledge.” Turning away the Assembly erupts.

Terwilliger pounds his gavel on the podium.
“Quiet! I will have quiet in this hall! Princess Cassandra!”
Stopping she turns back to him. “I know you are new to our ways but
there are specific procedures that must be followed in a
Challenge.”

“I know.” Her voice is steady, her eyes meeting
his.

“Then you must know that one of those procedures
is that the Challenger must….”

“’
Present first, explain why she would
make a better Trustee to the throne until the return of the true
Queen.’ Article Two, page one-thirty-one, of the Carinian Assembly
procedures book.” She sees Terwilliger’s eyebrows rise. “That
is
the proper procedure in the normal course of a
Challenge.” She walks back towards the Assembly.

“A
normal
Challenge as outlined in the
same procedure book is when the Challenger attends a day of
gatherings with
each
House’s Assemblymen and Royal family so
all have a chance to meet the Challenger, ask questions so an
informed
decision can be made on who would be the best
Trustee for the House of Knowledge, until the true Queen returns.”
Cassandra looks to the balconies.

“After that is
completed
the Assembly is
called and the Challenger presents to not only the Assemblymen and
Royals, put to the
citizens
of Carina themselves, why she
thinks she would be a better trustee. At that point the current
Trustee, in this case Queen Yakira,” She turns to look at Yakira,
“Can call for an immediate vote to deny the creditability of the
Challenger, thus ending the Challenge.” Before Terwilliger can
speak Cassandra continues.

“This is
not
a normal Challenge.” She
returns her gaze to the Assembly. “Queen Yakira has called the
Challenge. In doing so Article 152, page five-sixty-five of the
procedures book goes into effect.” Terwilliger eyes widen. He
immediately opens the official procedures book that always sat on
the podium.

“It states that, ‘If the residing Trustee calls
the Challenge for
any
reason, than that Trustee
must
speak first. She must defend her reign as current Trustee and
explain why she should be allowed to remain.’ The
Challenger
can than call for an immediate vote from the Assembly ending said
Trustee’s term, making herself the new Trustee.
Or
the
Challenger may speak, allowing the Challenge to run its course.
This Article prevents the residing Trustee from improper use the
power entrusted to her until the return of the true Queen.”

After a moment of stunned silence the hall
erupts. Leading Assemblymen from each House storm the podium.
Stepping back Terwilliger allows each to read Article 152, it is on
the exact page quoted. After a quick conference all return to their
seats. Terwilliger steps up to the podium.

Cassandra has been calmly standing while the
Assemblymen confer. The rising voices from the balconies and
members on the floor seemingly having no affect. Terwilliger pounds
he gavel to quiet the hall.

“Princess Cassandra….you are correct. Queen
Yakira will speak first.” The hall gasps.

“Thank you Assemblymen Terwilliger.” Cassandra
nods to him. “I apologize for having to bring it to your attention
in such a way. As you stated, I am new to your ways and thought
Queen Yakira would have informed you earlier to avoid this
unnecessary confusion. An oversight I’m sure. No one would call a
Challenge without knowing the consequences.”

Turning Cassandra meets Yakira’s eyes. While
Yakira’s expression hasn’t changed Cassandra can tell her mind is
racing. Ignoring Audric, Cassandra continues on to her seat.
William rises as she approaches she sees the pride in his eyes,
seating her he retakes his.

“He’s mad Aunt Cassie.” Victoria whispers.

“Are his eyes glittering yet?”

“No.”

“Let me know when they are.”

William listens to their quiet conversation, not
understanding a word of it. Looking to Lucas next to Victoria he
sees him give a very subtle shake of his head. Telling William he
doesn’t know either.