Noble Nuptial: Guardians of Gaia Prequel

Chapter Ten

Inside the castle courtyard, Catherine and Katara sat unaware of the violence inside the castle. Katara waited "patiently" as Catherine prayed. Katara tried being polite but couldn't help yawning as Catherine had spent half an hour in prayer.

"God is telling me we must flee now."Catherine stood up abruptly.

Katara helped her, letting out a long yawn, "I think the high priestess is nice, but she isn't God, Catherine."

"I don't worship Baat. I believe in the one true God. I pray to the Almighty Creator, not a creation." Catherine couldn't contain her contempt at Katara's condescension.

"You religious folk are always such tight cunts, and you know what? You're supposed to be for the people; instead, you're all high and mighty wiping the asses of the rich and noble." Katara accused.

Catherine snapped her fingers, creating a black fire in her hands, "I suggest you choose your next words wisely. You have no idea what I can do to you."

Katara cracked her neck, stretching out her five-foot-three frame, then hopped in place as Catherine launched her ball of black fire. Katara delicately cartwheeled away, then hit a front tuck hovering over Catherine's head. Catherine raised her hands to defend herself. Katara stood on Catherine's shoulders, looking down at Catherine.

"Who's high and mighty now?" Katara dropped herself down to sit on Catherine's shoulders, wrapping her legs around her neck as she dropped her body to the ground tossing Catherine a few feet away.

Catherine got up slowly, recalculating her strategy, "How the hell did you do that?"

"I can teach you if we survive." Katara giggled, holding out her hand to help Catherine.

"Please do. I could have been more tolerant." Catherine takes the help, brushing herself off, pretending this didn't just happen.

"You can show some damn respect. I hate how you noble bitches act. Test me again, and you'll see why I'm not the one. Especially not today. I need to find my Prince." Katara confirmed, marching back to the castle.

"Your Prince?" Catherine asked curiously.

"Well yeah, I'm done with this place. I'm going to Ecru." Katara started heading out of the courtyard back into the castle.

Catherine walked after her until Katara stopped short, holding her arm and the other hand to her lips. They peered around the corner seeing blood through the hallways—guards and servants dead in the hall. The young women heard the fighting further up the hallways. Both quickly ran in the opposite direction heading back to the courtyard. Catherine and Katara sprinted until they hit the moat.

Katara leaped without Catherine. Katara flipped clear across the 12ft wide gorge without breaking a sweat and continuing to sprint. Catherine huffed as she remembered Nehari's book of spells and ethereal techniques. Catherine made steps out of thin air. Delicately stepping across her bridge before the bricks disintegrated from which they came. Catherine turned from the other side, looking at the castle she had called home for so long. You could see the fires beginning in the court, and near the front gates were legions of peasants, serfs, farmers, and a makeshift army in leather armor screaming for entry. Catherine held her breath before she knew it. She had disappeared.

Catherine looked around herself at the vacuous space around her. She was no longer on earth at all. Catherine read about it this morning—the earth's ethereal connection source. The most capable ethereal benders could only reach this alternate space. Catherine tried walking. The substance felt almost like water. Instead, it's almost as if she had to swim while walking until her body adjusted. Catherine grew tired the longer she spent in the ether until she fell over, passing out from the over-exertion, hoping she wasn't dead.

The castle invaded from the inside out. Once, several servants saw Orion push Demeter from the tower. Or saw her body falling outside the building during their duties. They knew it was time to strike. The servants sent word to the village as the guards attempted to bring Orion to justice and keep up with Myra. The servants turned against them. The King and High Priestess were pulled from the dining hall as hostages. The castle was filled with villagers taking up their new residence and planned for years the day they would enjoy the rich life.

The serfs were rushing through the castle's halls, killing anyone they found going in to claim their rooms in the living quarters. Below, the villagers fought against the Royal Army led by John Henry. The blacksmith's apprentice and a family man learn the trade to feed his wife and son.

The ambush, while the soldiers were drunk or preoccupied with Demeter's murder, left the castle undefended. Many soldiers weren't even aware of the invasion. The revolutionaries entered by the drawbridge. The villagers had the numbers and determination to raid the kingdom, jumping the guards and holding them back, barricading the halls and doors, and taking control of the east entrance of the castle.

While these men held back the guards, more villagers and swamp people piled inside the castle with their best weapons and armor. Behind them were caravans of carriages, horses, and pregnant women walking behind the brigade seeking their promised spot in the castle.

Each villager believed the castle belonged to them, and each would have a home in the stronghold by Graham Marko. The fight of the haves and have-nots waged on all night, forcing the guards back. The villagers and swamp men corralled themselves in the main hall and throne room, seizing control and shooting down anyone who popped their heads up. The fight went on all night until Myra could call a retreat.