Cato Hades's Story

Diana watched in silence as her leader raved and vented. She understood where he was coming from, and the attack on the caravan had cost the lives of several soldiers Diana had come to respect. For them to fall in an unfair battle insulted all the effort they'd given into becoming stronger. Learning of their cruel fate had caused anger to bubble up inside her. And she knew her rage was nothing compared to what her ruler felt at the moment. She saw it in his face and in his actions. His rage fedhers, but she knew she had to maintain composure. At least one of them had to be thinking clearly, or else more would fall in an anger-fueled attack.

Her head snapped up when he addressed her. He was asking her for her professional opinion, and her respect for him grew. He was a good ruler, and she knew he trusted her enough. "They have the numbers, but skill is on our side," she stated, her teeth clenching. A big part of her wished that it was enough. Military training-wise, she was confident in their abilities, but they had lost plenty of good people and the soldiers' morale was low. It wasn't enough. "There is a chance that we might find ourselves successful should we choose to launch an attack now, but that chance is slim. We would lose more men than we can afford."

A part of her, the more ruthless side, hoped that he would launch an attack. The soldiers were angry, and the possibility that the people of Atkana were still celebrating was high. There would be sacrifices to be made, but in the end, she was certain they could secure victory. Her eyes slipped shut and she took a deep breath before continuing. "I would not recommend it." Her hand found the hilt of her sword. "All we can do for now is to gather more soldiers. I will gladly train them myself."

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Cato leaned his ear against the door as he eavesdropped on his father and the Commander. He was already aware that Damian did not want Cato to be anywhere near them enough to hear or understand what was happening, for if that were true, his father would have had no problem summoning him. However that was evidently not the case. Cato believed the reason why Damian did not allow him into the room, or any other family member of the Hades for that matter was because Damian perhaps would not show the best of character in front of them. But Cato didn't care, he wanted to learn and study his father's technique in his ways of being a ruler. For Cato knew Well that he will one day become the leader for Zylm, and because Cato loved his father to the point of even idolizing him, the son wanted to be just like his father. And how would he be able to execute such a task if he didn't study his father in his best and even worse moments.

In the tone and the rising volume of his father's voice, he could no doubt tell Damian was furious, but Cato found the anger oddly comforting to him. The reason behind this being that Cato also too deals with a short temper, or a fiery rage. Thus witnessing his father under stress, made Cato feel not as lonely when he loses his temper. But even in anger Cato urges himself to avoid hurting anyone, rather, he releases his fury through smashing things rather than harming people. But to say Cato is always successful at not attacking an enemy in the midst of his madness would be a lie.

And though Cato would not be described as gentle, he was definitely compassionate the helpless or poor. Cato likes lending a helping hand to people, or in some way supporting the broken and defeated. Such as, in the early morning Cato took a stroll through the clan as he often did everyday, he always found it a great exercise to be aware of his homeland and concerned about it. And also, children love Cato and sometimes even wake up earlier to greet the prince. To then where Cato either lets them hold his sword, or engage in a game of tag.

But today, Cato not only said hello to a few young fans of his, but he came across a stray dog, well to be exact it was a puppy, however to be honest, not a quite beautiful creature, but there was a distinct feature inside the puppy. It was the eyes engraved with a sense of abandonment and despair due to it Cato welcomed the pup to accompany in his arms, where Cato then proceeded to bring his new friend to the palace. Cato now held the pup close to his heart, as the dog gently licked Cato's chin with stumble, making a light slurping noise. Cato had not yet named the puppy because he was not sure what to call him yet. But Cato knew one thing, he was not going to leave the creature to fend off on its own against the tides of solitude. And though he owned pets already, he always believe there was room to save another one.

Alexis watched her husband pace restlessly and it was borderline contagious to watch at the table. He looked moments away from breaking the closest object to him. She had two of those men who threw tempers like a tempest in the family. How fortunate of her. Her eyes flickered to the commander nervously, not sure how to tend to Damian’s mood that did not reflect well on his common leadership skills.

It was until the commander finished speaking that she could not see it anymore. She rose to her feet and caught Damian’s shoulders redirecting him to his seat. She had seen him in many conditions before but never so agitated. “Sit down and calm yourself,” she told him pushing down on his broad figure to guide him to his seat then massaged his shoulders lightly. “You have full support right here in this room. This whole kingdom loves you and we can only begin to imagine the stress you carry. But you must gather your thoughts and control your emotions in order to make the best judgement,” she said softly into his ear even when she was half scolding him.
Once she trusted he was still, she left him to return to her own seat and hopefully allow them to resume the meeting in a calmer state.

She understood his rage. Dealing with loss was not easy and Zylm did appear to be at a disadvantage but only internally. “Foes do not cross our lands to count our forces My King,” she added formally. “The best we can do is return to our normal routines and wait for our soldier count to rise.” She gestured to the commander whom she was agreeing with completely.

Her blue eyes shifted to the door expecting to see the shadows of moving figures outside. Not just any figures but those of her gorgeous trouble makers that couldn't help themselves. When suspecting the meeting to come to an end, Alexis still excused herself courteously and stepped outside.

She paced the halls in search for her kids and managed to catch sight of Cato seeming to have his arms reserved to his chest. "Cato," she called sweetly at first for him but her face slowly dropped. Alexis sighed out gently. Another orphan animal no doubt that he thought he could sneak in inconspicuously. "For Zylm's sake whatever it is, don't let your father know. He's having a bad enough day." He was lucky she had a soft spot for the oddity of Cato's to adopt every stray creature with innocent eyes he came across. "Do you know where your sister is?" she continued.

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"Cato," he heard his mother call him sweetly, and he glad it was her that spotted him eavesdropping on his father's dilemma, because he would believe Damian not finding pleasure with his son spying on him, when it obvious that the king didn't want him to hear the conversation. "For Zylm's sake whatever it is, don't let your father know. He's having a bad enough day." Yes, Cato was aware of that, but he did not like the fact that his father did not involve him. Wasn't Cato going to be king once Damian passes from the earth. Cato feared maybe his father thought he was too soft because of Cato's obsession to adopt abandoned strays. Cato did not believe he could only be a good leader by fiercely waging his blade through the blood red sky as he rode off on a proud noble stallion, charging into the battlefield. No, if Cato wanted to revolve his life with combat and war, then he would be climbing the martial ranks. Cato did however, support all of his father's decision when it came to what was best for the kingdom, but when it came done to Damian determining what was best for his son, Cato could disagree.

"Do you know where your sister is?"

"Since when was it my job to know where Abilene is?" he muttered against his breath, however Alexis was earshot close enough to hear her son's sassy comment. But it was like he was not even paying attention to the words coming out of his mouth, instead was worried and concerned about what lied through the room before him. In fact is eyes were drawn on the keyhole to the door. Cato loved his parents to death, and for the most part he was an amicable young man, but since he was a child Cato was guilty for muttering a smart remark here and there. Cato set the puppy down next to his feet, allowing the creature have space to stretch and move. However the dog did not run off hyper, in fact, the pup seemed rather frightened on its new surroundings.

"Do you know how long they are going to continue?" he spouted the question like his rude comment spoken just a couple seconds ago did not happen. But Cato wanted to know when his father would be out, so that Cato could be gone by then and not found to be eavesdropping like a gossiping young maiden.

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Abilene had been awake for a few hours at most, and instead of alerting one of her handmaidens, the young woman had curled up under her feather blankets with one of the various books that her parents had collected for her. Her nose had been buried in the pages for longer than she was even aware.

A sharp knock on her bedroom door startled her, and the voice of her handmaiden Mary rung out from behind the mahogany. "Lady Abilene, you aren't still in bed, are you?" The young woman's face turned up from the pages of the book just in time to catch sight of the thick wooden door creak open, Mary standing on the other side with raised eyebrows.

Abilene shrugged, caught in the sights of Mary, whose eyebrow was raised at the sight of the youngest child of Damien Hades curled up under her blankets, hair a mess from the nights sleep before. "You haven't been in bed this whole time, have you?" She knew that the answer to that question was affirmative, but she watched Abilene with a calculating eye as she moved into the room, keeping silent as she waited for the girls response.

Abilene's grin was sheepish as she spoke. "Well, I have but... oh, Mary, this story is simply amazing. There's a dragon, and a warrior princess!" Abilene had made her way out of the tangle of sheets and over to Mary, who pushed the young woman behind the changing screen. Abilene continued to ramble on about the new story she was reading as Mary helped her into her dress. Abilene's story was going along just fine, up until the ties of the corset were pulled.

"M-Mary! T-Too tight!" She sucked in a breath of air, hands pressed firmly against her stomach. Mary was quick to let out the ties a bit, laughing slightly.

Finally dressed, the young woman let Mary fix her hair and brush out the knots. Turning some back from her face, Abilene was quick to thank the woman who took care of her needs most mornings, and rushed off to her lessons for the day. She'd started with her etiquette lessons, but had quickly grown bored. After an hour of tutoring, she'd disappeared from the room, a grin on her face as she snuck away. She was supposed to be going to her horseback lessons after, but instead she had decided to wander through the halls of her home. She knew her instructor would come looking for her eventually - knew she would probably be questioned by her mother as to why she was late for her lessons later - but she couldn't bring herself to care very much in that moment.

She made her way through the halls of her home, her imagination running wild with thoughts of how the book she was reading might end. She soon found herself near the reception hall; she could hear her fathers voice booming inside as she approached. Cato was outside the hall, clearly listening in on the conversation within. As she moved towards her brother, her mother exited the hall. Finally close enough to be noticed, she heard her mother's question aimed towards her brother, and her brothers answer.

"I'm here, mother..." She knew her mother might question her later as to why she wasn't at her lessons, but as it stood, she wasn't as concerned with that at the moment. Her eyes turned towards her brother, then finally fell to the floor, noticing the small fuzzy creature huddled so close to his leg. Her face instantly lit up with a smile. "Oh, he is so very cute, Cato!" She'd hushed her voice, so that she wouldn't be heard through the doors and in the meeting within. The last thing she wanted was to disturb her father when he was in a meeting, and she knew that this one was particularly important - they had lost many good men recently, and that thought alone saddened her heart.

Diana nodded at the dismissal, giving a low bow. Her mind was already running, thoughts about how she would go about making soldiers out of farmers. Most of them had the incentive to join the cause and had the fire necessary to learning, but the skills... They greatly lacked the skill and finesse of a fighter, not like the men they'd lost. Training an entire troop on her own would prove challenging, but she knew it was necessary. She would just explain to her mother that she wouldn't be coming home for the next couple of weeks. She was certain her mother would understand.

She did pause however when her king brought up the possibility of having Cato help her. Cato was a wonderful warrior, and she'd watched him spar with the other soldiers before. "His help would be greatly appreciated, my King." She smiled softly as they left the hall. She certainly hadn't been expecting to see the rest of the royal family awaiting outside. She gave a low bow. "Your Highnesses," she greeted before nodding and taking her leave. She briefly heard Damian ask for an explanation and she couldn't help the smile that crept up her face.

Family. It truly was the most important thing in the world.

She wiped the smile off her lips as soon as she reached the training grounds. There were already a few farmers that stood in attendance at her arrival. They were scrawny and weak, but she would make them strong if it was the last thing she did. "Prepare yourselves," she announced as soon as her soldiers joined the rest and they all stood in front of her. "The odds are against us, but we will push forth. For Zylm!" She raised her blade to the air and the men and women mimicked her actions, shouting their agreement. "Let the training commence."

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Cato turned to see his sister finally arrive, to where she then greeted their mother. "Oh, he is so very cute, Cato!" Cato turned his head from the door smiling at Abilene before he lifted the pup up from the floor and nestling it close to his chest again. "He sure is, isn't he?" he whispered, but it seemed he was half talking to Abilene, and half talking to his newfound fuzzy friend. The puppy licked again against Cato's face, letting its cool tongue wipe against his cheeks.

But as he was cuddling with his pup, his father arrived to the scene, “So. Who would like to start explaining…everything?” Cato gave an awkward nervous laugh, because obviously he was not suppose to be eavesdropping and now he was caught doing so. However he could tell he was in no type of trouble, no his father did not seem mad at all. And perhaps Damian could understand his son's curiosity and profound goal to become a ruler like his father.

Though was Cato going to outright say, Hey, I was eavesdropping on you. No, but was he going to lie. No also, because if anyone knew Cato, they knew Cato was an awful liar. If he committed any act of dishonesty Cato would be affected physically. Such as, his body would began to drench itself with bucket loads of sweat. And Cato never sweat, not in the blazing sun, nor in the heat of combat, nothing unless he was lying. So Cato learned pretty fast in life, lying was not only wrong, but was quite obvious when he was doing it.

So, if Cato ever wanted to get out of saying the truth, he found a sudden exit or would change the subject. Where in this moment he decided to go with both. "Father, were you not suggesting that I go train common folk with the commander?" Cato thought that was good enough, because he really just admitted to spying because he would of only discovered that information by listening on their conversation. "Perhaps, I should go do so?" And with that Cato turned away and rushed off. But before he went out to the training grounds, he approached one of the palace maid where he handed over the pup, "Make sure he gets a bath, a nice scrub. Oh and can you feed him, I'm a little busy right now. Thanks." Some may think it was hygienically degrading that Cato was cuddling with a dirty stray from off the streets that could have the possibility of bearing fleas. But no matter, Cato believed everyone was going to get dirty in their life one way or another.

Cato approached the training grounds as Diana was addressing the farmers that with sheer training, would become well-fighting troops. Cato was now equipped in his battle armor. He let her finish her speech before arriving. Cato's choice in weaponry was also sword and shield, and he was a master and both. But Cato's fighting style could be described as crazy, berserk even, but it was as if he was out of control. And because he moved so fast he was unpredictable, however some would ay he lacked any method, but Cato believed in the heat of battle, you didn't need any formula to succeed, only the pure determined stitched into his spirit. And he always toward soldiers he has trained is that the mind is the sole captain of this ship being your body, and once your mind is determined of a victory, the rest of your body will be steered the same way.

Therefore above all what mattered the most to Cato was morale, because he has heard stories of forces consisted of only a few hundred units against thousands and winning . Why? Because in their mind and heart they believed they were victors. So, perhaps his father was outnumbered, but that did not mattered as much to Cato as did the confidence, enthusiasm, and discipline of their men. So, he decided to inquire the Diana, "How is morale, commander? Is it truly that bad?"

Diana examined the handful of men brought before her and quickly formulated a plan on how she would go about training them. She would need to test who already had a handle on fighting and separate them from those whose knowledge ended with how to wield a farming scythe. The latter would require her personal attendance every step of the way, while she was somewhat certain she could entrust the first parts of the former's training to some of her most capable soldiers. Once the latter had caught up and knew how to hold a sword towards their opponent, she could start making soldiers out of these boys and girls.

She dismissed the lot of them and called upon a few of her soldiers - the ones who'd proven themselves somewhat up to par with the ones they'd lost. Her order was to segregate the new recruits as she'd planned and for them to provide her with a list of each recruits' strengths and weaknesses. She could almost hear her twin's voice in her head, quoting some saying from a foreign land about knowing yourself and winning a hundred battles. She'd honestly never paid much attention to it before, but somewhat she knew now that it was important... Perhaps even more important than the advantage of brute force.

She'd heard the Prince arrive while she was attempting to raise the morale of the soldiers, and allowed him his time to come to her. If she'd assumed correctly, the King would have informed him of Diana's need. Of the people's need. She gave him a low bow, as was customary, when he'd approached her. "How is morale, commander? Is it truly that bad?" She took into consideration his question. Was the morale low? Yes. They'd suffered a fatal blow and lost so many friends and allies. Was it bad? That was what gave Diana pause. It was bad, yes, but in a way, it could be used to their advantage. The people were angry. They hungered for the blood of the enemy. They sought vengeance. "Morale is considerably low," she answered after a beat of contemplation. "They are pained and melancholic, but they are also angry. They are willing to overlook their former duties and offer up their abilities to bring justice to the dead." She looked over at the recruits. Some were already taking up arms, giving a few test swings to their chosen weapon. Familiarizing themselves.

There was that fire in their eyes. "They are determined to learn. This might be useful for when the training becomes rather... brutal." She nodded to herself before allowing herself a chance to look at Cato. She'd watched him fight before, of course, and had even had the opportunity to draw her sword against him in a sparring match. He was wild and unrestrained. He'd bested him in the match, but it allowed her to learn. He was someone who would not fall easily. He was a beacon of fiery hope. The people needed that.

He could feed their rage. Number might not even be a part of the equation if he led the charge. Diana caught his gaze and held it. "I look forward to fighting alongside you." One look at the soldiers who'd heard her remark told her that they felt the same.

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Cato noticed Diana giving him a low bow, which he quite actually did not like, and never really has since he first had known he was born to a family of royalty. The customary gestures where in respect and honor, yes he understands, but the bows made Cato feel higher than those around him. When in the end he was flesh just like them, Cato humbled himself before his brothers and sisters in war.

"Morale is considerably low," Cato listened to hear the commander say, to which he responded, "It is what I feared." Which was true and quite obvious that morale would be low. But how could a man fight for his life if in it no heart was concealed? And though he bears one does not mean he is an entitled victory, for blackened hearts are just as dark as their death.

"They are pained and melancholic, but they are also angry. They are willing to overlook their former duties and offer up their abilities to bring justice to the dead."

So it was anger that carried the men? Fair enough, it was by far suspected of course. Yes if you pissed in someone's ale then you are going to assume a brawl to follow afterwards. And so Atkana and their queen pissed alright, and all over Damian. Was Cato ready to fight back and defend the nation that is his own, of course? But was he angry, not quite, no it would take more to awaken the monster inside of him, the monster that rage brought him to be. Because in the end he knew that his family was still alive, safe, and that his father did not get literally pissed on.

"They are determined to learn. This might be useful for when the training becomes rather... brutal."

"Brutal? That is where we begin to separate the men from the boys, yes?" he responded, remembering his first years in training when he was a young prince prancing with a wooden toy sword in his hand as he chased his sword around, pretending to attack her. Oh those were the years, they perished so quickly into the oblivion that is the past.

"I look forward to fighting alongside you."

"As I feel the same about you," Cato admitted, respecting the commander and her ways with sword and strategy. "But Commander, do you know what I want? I say we find us a big-ass dragon!" Cato was trying to lift spirits here as he was smiling, but most importantly being quite excited by his idea, though there is no true evidence that dragons even exist, only legends and stories. "Yes I would climb the highest of mountains, and at the perfect moment... I would jump--"Cato hopped onto an empty table behind him and in fighting stance. Now he gained attention, turning heads especially due to is booming loud voice, "Upon the back of that fiery beast right in the mid aid. Wings beating, tail whipping through the wind as I charge it to melt cities of Atkana." Cato stabbed his blade through the table and jumped off, "Too bad there aren't any big-ass dragons around. But no matter," Cato jerked his sword from out of the wood. "Because either way, I'll still make them burn, flaming drake or not, because they'll have to face me, you, and every single soul standing here now. In the end, we are the fierce beast united, and Atkana is going to hear us roar!" Cato clashed his blade against his shield twice before raising it in the air.

Cato was not even planning to give any speech, he was in fact just joking when he brought up the dragon topic, but instead his passionate took over and filled his lungs. That passion, that was who Cato was as a man, his heart on fire for his nation.

"Commander, I say it is time for that brutal training you spoke of earlier, yes? I might even scare the young bucks enough to wet themselves, now wouldn't that make my day."

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Abilene was relatively surprised at the sound of her father's footfalls against the marble floors approaching the door the three had been crowded around. Her face betrayed her emotions - a hint of panic flashed across her eyes - as the door to the hall was opened. Her father seemed relatively surprised to see his wife and two children outside, at least. And so Abilene was quick to mask her own panic, already thinking of perfectly valid reasons as to why he would find them all in such a state.

Or at least her.

Her mother, she rationalized, had been at the meeting herself. So there was no explanation to be had there. Her brother... well, he had actually been eavesdropping when she had happened upon him. But she knew as well as anyone that Cato could not lie. No, her father would know immediately.

Her brother opted to answer before she had the chance to even part her lips in explanation. Cato chose the route of averted truth - smart, she thought. He definitely had the makings of a leader in his future, and it was evident in the way that he told the truth without really telling the truth flat out.

The commander had flitted out of the room a while ago, and Cato was soon dismissing himself to join her in his admittance of knowing what his father had discussed. And then that left her mother, who had a natural reason to be outside the hall after her father had his meeting...

...and herself, who... well, didn't.

Abilene was a cunning liar, that much was true. She didn't naturally take delight in her ability to pull the wool over anyone's eyes, but for whatever reason, she'd been able to hide the truth skillfully away behind a smile, sparkling eyes, kind words, a clever diversion or the like for as long as she could remember.

"Father," she began with a smile pulling at the side of her lips. "I am not certain of this... 'everything' you speak of, though Cato does appear to know better than I. I, myself, have only reached the hall just a moment before you, you see. I was on the way to my horseback lessons."

The entirety of it wasn't a lie - she had really only just reached the hall, but it wasn't like it was only a moment before. She knew very well what her father had been discussing in the hall. But the biggest lie of all was the last part - she had in fact not been on the way, having escaped her etiquette lessons. Instead, she had been planning on finding her way to the gardens to daydream some more. She was sure now that those daydreams would have to wait for later, as her father would see that she made it to her lessons - as it was where she was going, apparently. The words had come from her own mouth. She cursed herself at not coming up with a better destination. But at least that was truly believable.

She smiled at her mother, before turning the look back to her father. Her eyes practically twinkled with hidden mischief that might otherwise be read as merriment. She knew how well her own father knew her - both of her parents were probably the only two that would question a single word that came from her perfectly rehearsed lips. But even sometimes for the two of them, it wasn't so easy to tell when she was just being polite and well-mannered, and when she was lying through her teeth.

She would have laughed if that wouldn't have given her away.

The family merged together and Alexis rose her brows expectantly intrigued to hear the answers her children would offer and silently hoped they would be satisfactory to the King’s mind though she knew they were intelligent and sly offsprings and more than capable of providing a good response. Alexis did not wish for family tension to be present in a corridor however, but she was quite willing to defend her children if Damian got unreasonable with their presence.

Thankfully she detected his fatherly side blooming rather than formal King, which she liked seeing him express but she did not comment on it as if afraid to ruin it like a delicate facade. Her blue eyes couldn’t help but flicker to him nervously as Cato and Abilene gave their reasons then lower her eyes feeling responsible for not dealing with them immediately herself. Her husband could communicate a shocking amount with just a look.

She had much to discuss with Abilene about the rumours of skipping her classes but Damian had presented her with an opportunity of temporary escape and been the unlikely saviour. Alexis released a gentle sigh, preferring to have it over and done with but again kept her comments to herself for there were larger problems and her issue would seem petty next to them particularly in front of Damian. Besides, she couldn't help to love the idea of potential bonding between Damian and Abilene. They weren't distant that she knew of, and she was sure all of her family loved each other unconditionally but with such foes and hatred directed at Zylm, Damian had a target and high price on him. What would be his last breath was disputably unpredictable. For him to spend quality time as a dedicated father was beautiful.

She swallowed the lump in her throat pushing thoughts aside of Damian's passing. Alexis moved on to the next concern. Out of wonder she headed pass the training grounds to see the beginning of the resolution to Zylm's problems, in time to see Cato demonstrate his passion for Zylm’s comeback and motivating speech. Alexis covered her mouth smiling, taking much pride in Cato but also amused by the innocence of childhood that lurked, speaking of dragons. Alexis herself had found them to be the most fascinating of creatures in books. But Cato’s speech was also able to embed a surge of confidence and faith in her of Zylm’s fate. Perhaps the rivalry between Atkana would be laid to rest once and for all or at the very least, claim vengeance to the fallen.