Reunion at Sea

Family

The airship lifted into the air and they started on the flight towards Corona. Everyone was assigned a room below deck for the trip and everyone was introduced to each other. Eugene couldn't help but notice that everyone that was on the prison barge was here so they must've all stuck together instead of seperating, which was...interesting, but he wouldn't say anything.

Of course, the criminals had things to say about Varian's "magical makeover", but it was all compliments and praise for his achievement, with only one or two joking about if the cape worked like a tail and if it would hurt to step on it. They were also eager to get to know Varian's family, and thought it was hilarious how Eugene and Varian were technically cousins and Eugene was a prince, whaaaaaaat?

But, that was a few hours ago. Now they were milling about on the ship, Varian hanging around Lady Caine or Andrew when he wasn't with his aunt and uncles. Rapunzel was standing at the railing, looking apprehensive, and Eugene walked over and stood at her side. "You doing okay, Sunshine?"

"No." She admitted honestly. "How can I fight my father?"

"You fought Gothel, and she raised you." Eugene reminded her.

Rapunzel nodded, then looked over at Cassandra, who was practicing her sword strokes. "I did, yes...but, I was only able to because I realized she wasn't my real mother. How can I fight my real father? How can Cassandra fight the Captain?"

Eugene sighed. "Well, with any luck, the revolution will make Frederic step down and we won't have to fight him."

--

"Your form is sloppy." Cassandra jolted and turned to see Adira standing behind her. "You are distracted."

Cassandra glanced away. "...Yes."

"Do you feel uncertain of your ability to protect them?" Adira asked calmly.

"'Them'?" Cassandra looked surprised.

"I have observed you together. You want to protect my nephew as much as you want to protect the Sundrop." Adira drew her sword and walked in front of her. "But you are uncertain on if you will be able to fight your King and your father. You are unsure of your ability, your resolve, to protect them. And you know that if you make a mistake, it could lead to your Princess being captured and Varian being killed or locked away again."

Cassandra closed her eyes. "I've been training to be the Royal Guard, but I was always told I wasn't ready. Throughout this trip, I have been bested by you time and time again and struggled against others. I don't think I have enough skill with the sword to be a knight." She admitted glumly. "I was born as the daughter of a witch and raised as a maid and begging for fighting lessons. How can I protect them?"

Adira walked up to Cassandra, sheathing her sword. "I was not born in the Dark Kingdom. I was thirteen years old when my people's caravan was attacked by bandits. My parents were killed, and I was taken to be..." She shuddered. "Hector, Prince Edmund and Quirin saved me that day. I spent every day after training as hard as possible to be worthy of the Brotherhood, to properly thank them for saving me that day. I was beaten down many times, but I kept getting back up. Several times, Quirin told me I didn't have to do this. But I said I wanted to, no matter if I had been raised in it or not. I wanted to protect the Moonstone, to be a warrior. So, I kept training, and I didn't take 'no' for an answer. You started learning to fight sooner than I did, but you've been listening to your father tell you 'no'. So, let me ask you something. If your father tells you to stand down and bow to the King, will you do it?"

"No!" Cassandra insisted frantically.

"Even if you have to fight every member of the Royal Guard?" She asked.