Moshaba
an excerpt

At that moment before Cassandra could respond, Marcus enters the building and greets Cassandra. He turns to Henry and nods his head at him. Henry steps through the entrance to the room and closes the door behind him, keeping watch for unwanted visitors.

“What is it that you want with me?” Cassandra angrily demands.

“So I see you’ve become a Moshaban. I am surprised no one has figured you out yet. How much longer do you think you can hide underneath the shadows of your past and dazzle the Black Scourge with your visions of the present? You must act quickly if you are still going to go through with this mad plan of yours,” Marcus says.

Cassandra says, “So that’s it? You simply wanted to tell me something that I already know? Marcus, I can help you and the rebel movement if I am on the inside of the beast’s belly. I will carve my way out as soon as possible. I will carve my way out through its head. I hope you have prepared your men for a sudden takeover. I must become Gengra’s chamber guardian if I am to get close enough to assassinate him without anyone else knowing.”

Marcus responds, “Damn it, Cassandra! Don’t you see why your plan will bear no fruit! I wish I could convince you of the absurdity of all of this, but you are more stubborn than your father and mother combined! Their stubbornness is what got them killed, Cassandra. Are you aware that your father and mother did not listen to my warnings when they decided to hire a person that they thought was a rebel assassin? Are you aware that they did not listen to my warnings to escape before the Moshaban scum would come to raid their shop? Are you aware that they did not listen to my warnings that they would be killed if the Moshaba found them?”

“Enough!” Cassandra says angrily, “Marcus I understand that you want the best for me. However, you are going about it entirely the wrong way. I am nothing like my parents. I am in a position that my mother and father would have called ridiculous just as you had called it. My mother and father would have never dreamed that one of the rebels would have an opportunity such as I have to enter the snakes’ haven and wreak havoc. I am in control of what happens to me. I am in control of the fate of this rebel movement. If I die serving my countrymen, then it shall be for the greater good. May my death inspire thousands to attempt the same, but may my life inspire millions to join the cause!”

“Listen to yourself, Cassandra,” Marcus says quietly, “You are delusional. You are starting to sound like you are wishing for martyrdom. Your parents were martyrs of the cause, but they never wished for it. They knew that, by staying alive, they would provide a greater service to the rebel movement than if they were dead. We are still reaping the setback that the death of your parents has caused the movement. Don’t you see that we are growing weaker by the day? Do you know the rumors that have been going around about you among those that do not know of your scheme? Those people seem to think that you have abandoned them. They think you have truly become a Moshaban because you know the fight is impossible. If you can’t beat them, join them, right?”

“Then tell them that they are wrong about me. Tell them my plan,” Cassandra says.

“There lies the problem. How am I to know whom I can trust? The Moshaba have spies everywhere. What will happen if I happen to tell your plan to a Moshaban posing as a drunken rebel? Why do you think I have gone to great efforts to seek an alliance with the Death Stalkers? We lose manpower everyday. To drink, to Moshaban steel, to betrayal…”

“Do you think that I will betray all of you?” Cassandra asks internally terrified.

“I can’t say anymore…and that is frightening me,” Marcus responds looking at the floor.

Cassandra says quietly, “I am sorry if that is the way you feel, but I implore you to keep your confidence in my plight. I left today to come warn you about a Moshaban raid on one of our hideouts. I am supposed to lead the raid with Gabrielle. We are being sent to execute everyone at the rebel base on sight.”

“Which base is it?” Marcus asks.

Cassandra responds, “I do not know at this moment, but be vigilant in the coming days. I do not know when the strike is planned exactly, but it shall happen within this week.”

Marcus nods gravely and says softly, “And your activity during this raid? How will you conceal your identity as a rebel when you are faced with the duty to kill a rebel?”

“Don’t you see now the burden I have to carry?” Cassandra says, tears in her eyes, “Do you think I sleep peacefully at night knowing what becoming a member of the Moshaba shall do to me and require of me? My life has been filled with nothing but immeasurable burdens. I am torn between the duty to serve the rebels with my life and the responsibility to protect their interests by remaining obedient to the evil intentions of the Moshaba. There is no other path for me to take in my life.”

“But there is another way to go,” Marcus says, “Fight with us. Fight with me. You do not have to put yourself through this. You are not required to carry that burden for the rest of us. Even if you do succeed in killing Gengra Kaylon, the people will remember the raids you participated in due to your necessary obedience to the Moshaba. They shall hunt you down as an outlaw. Nothing I can say or do after the removal of the Moshaba from power will prevent your condemnation. I want to help you, but my hands are tied due to too many uncertainties.”

Cassandra says, looking deeply into Marcus’ eyes, “If I were to fight with you, the cause would fail. You and I both know that. You said yourself that the rebels are leaving the cause behind and giving up hope. The path I have chosen gives us a fighting chance to remove the Moshaba from governmental office. This is the only chance we have. I am willing to make the sacrifice. I rather lose my friends than allow my enemies to be victorious.”

Pausing momentarily, Marcus says as he returns Cassandra’s gaze, “Would you be willing to lose me?”

Cassandra turns away, saying, “Don’t say that!”

Marcus pursues, “Cassandra, the rebels leave the movement because they think you have abandoned them. If you continue down this reckless path, you will lose me.”

Cassandra faces Marcus and says loudly, “How dare you add to the burden I already carry! If my burden wasn’t heavy enough! Do not give up on me, Marcus. You are a father to me and you will always be close to my heart. Do not crush me with your threats. It shall not work. My course is set and that is final!”