Glad you could join us for the next unjustified episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…
“Hey! Watch it, up there! Prisoner down below!” The indignant cry exploded from the Hole as Elliot clung to its edge, grabbing for anything secure to keep from slipping into the abyss.
Time stopped.
“Cassandra?” he ventured.
“Elliot…? Is it really you?”
“You there!” yelled the guard zipping back to his post from a brief trip to the bushes. “Step away from the Hole. Who are you and what is your business here?”
Drawing up to his full height and dignity, Elliot countered, “I might ask you the same thing.”
Cassandra’s advice drifted up from the depths. “I wouldn’t, Elliot.”
“Are you all right? Have they hurt you?” he called down to her, ignoring the approaching wasp.
“I’m fine, my sweet. In fact, I think they’ll be bringing breakfast soon.”
“I’ll ask only once more. Who are you and what is your business here?” The guard was within arms’ reach, but made no move to seize him.
Irritated, Elliot exhaled with an exasperated, “Aghhh! If you were paying attention, you know my name is Elliot. My business is my own, but since you seem to have my fiancee in custody, sir, I ask that you release her, so I can go about my business without further delay.”
A second wasp arrived. “What’s going on here, Sheldon?”
“I’m trying to ascertain that now, Captain. It seems Elliot here is engaged to the prisoner and wants to take her with him.”
Appraising Elliot with bemusement, the Captain dismissed the idea with a chuckle and a wave of his hand. “Officer, bring the prisoner to the Arena.” He glanced again at Elliot, and shook his head. “He can come, too, if he wants.”
“Sir, is he to be in the Box as well?”
“It’s probably best for everyone if he is.”
“Yes, sir,” Sheldon acknowledged as he unwound a vine from a nearby tree. Calling, “Stand back, Miss!” he dropped the end into the Hole. “You can come up now.”
“What,” came from below, “no breakfast?”
“Where are we going?” Elliot asked.
Cassandra appeared above the Hole, outshining the rising sun in Elliot’s eyes. Her smile warmed him, but her words clenched his stomach.
“The verdict must be in.”
To be continued. . .
Previously, on Elliot’s Adventures ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Next time . . .
Space, Time, and Raspberries 
Well, Cassandra is a princess after all, so she is behaving with the dignity of her position…plus her own special brand of bravery too. 💕
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And a little bit of sass! I think you understand her, Samantha!
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I am truly surprised at Cassandra’s calm demeanor during all of this. Her wit is still intact too! Good on you, Cassandra!
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I think her inherent pragmatism forms the foundation underlying her senses of justice, adventure, and romance. And remember, Persephone (her biological mother, whom she never really knew) and Quintessa (the dragonfly who raised her and knew who her father was) were warriors in Fen’s Suns of Glory. I imagine she was brought up to face challenges and become confident. I’m not sure how dire a circumstance would have to be to make her panic.
On the other hand, if you’re truly surprised by her calm, maybe I haven’t done an adequate job illustrating her character. lol
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I think you’re doing a great job, I’m still amazed. I’m thinking about the average woman, person, how even the most resilient lose it a little bit.
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Ah, that explains it. What average woman, person, could ever hope to match the unflappable demeanor of a female warrior snail? 😉
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Haha! Yes! She’s got all of us beat. We ought to be ashamed. Lol.
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