U.N.T.O.L.D

Since I was born, I've always be considered strange. People would look at me with wide eyes or whisper to one another in my presence. At first supposed that was only because I was one of the king's daughters. My first encounter with Apollo dates back to when I was about seven years old. I had accompanied my mother to his temple and she had left me alone to give our offer to Laxani, the high priest. I was standing in the temple's main hall, looking at Apollo's beautiful statue, when I heard a melodious voice calling my name. I looked around ut nobody was in sight and with a shiver I understood that the voice came from inside my head. "Cassandra" he said again, softly. I knew he was Apollo. I felt strange, almost if I were floating. But when I looked down, my feet were still on the ground. "Sir..." "Do not be afraid, my dearest child" he murmured. That very moment, a snake came out of the basket it had been resting in and slowly slithered towards me. I had always liked snakes, so I didn't back away. "You can touch her. She has known you for a long time and she will do you no harm" Apollo's voice said confidently in my head. What did that mean? How could a snake know me? But apparently Apollo didn't wish to share that with me. I kneeled in front of the snake and outstretched my hand. She slowly wrapped herself around my arm and eventually rested her head on my shoulder. She was warm and her presence was almost reassuring to me, so I easily accepted the contact. Eventually she went back to her basket and after a moment my mother returned with Laxani. Upon seeing my confused expression, she snorted: "Cassandra, why are you looking at me like that? You're always lost in your own world" "Do not blame your mother, she does not know that I am talking to you. Keep it to yourself for now" Apollo's voice whispered, almost laughing. "Now go with your mother. Feel free to come to my temple and touch my sacred snakes every time you wish" That very year, my father decided that I had to study like my brothers. That was a very unusual choice - girls didn't use to study, not even princesses. I didn't exactly know what studying meant, but since I was curious and eager to discover new things, I was looking forward to it. Not even the fact that I would attend school with my twin brother Helenus could ruin my good mood. Helenus was quite sullen, he put me off no matter how hard I tried to be nice to him. If only one of my sister could be there too... "Are Polyxena and Laodice going to study as well?" I asked my father when he informed me about his decision. "They are not" he answered briskly. "Then why am I going to?" I asked. Priam sighed and looked at me tiredly. "At the appropriate time you will know" he said in a definitive tone. I knew that it was pointless to ask more questions. So we went to study with Hermes' priest, Aesacus. He was very old and had been my father's advisor for a long time. On the other hand, he was also playful and gentle and liked to tell stories, which I loved. He especially enjoyed Cretan stories because his father had been Cretan. "… so Dedalus built this construction and called it 'labyrinth', and the Minotaur was imprisoned inside it." He told us one day. "And what happened next? Tell me, please!" I pleaded, excited. "Will you wait a moment, my child?" said Aesacus smiling "You always want to know what will happen next, this is your biggest flaw". Years later I understood how right he had been. "As if it were the only one" Helenus muttered, but I heard him nevertheless. That was rich, coming from him! None of our siblings could stand his attitude. He annoyed even Hector, who was very agreeable. "Do you really think you are so wonderful?" I snapped. "At least I'm not insufferable like you, Cassandra!" he retorted, and I slapped him on the head while he punched me on the arm. "Now you will stop beating each other!" said Aesacus sternly, and we went immediately still and silent. It was highly unusual to see him angry: like his temple's patron, he had a reputation for being friendly. "As for you, Helenus, you shouldn't always try and sting your sister. She wasn't even talking to you. And as for you, Cassandra, I don't like it when you slap your own brother, besides you should learn to wait and see, sometimes. You can't always know everything from the beginning! Now, if you are finished arguing… the Minotaur only ate human flesh…" "Bleah!" we chorused. We tried our best not to argue and not to beat each other at school but sometimes we just couldn't help. Aesacus taught me how to read, write and sing (music has always been very important in Troy since it was Apollo's city) and many wonderful stories and songs that I still remember. We later became good friends, despite the difference in age.