"I'd rather love you, then serve you" (Katemau)

chapter 10 "surprise project pt2"

3rd pov

The walls were worn down and torn; the destruction of past wars screamed against the wall's holes. The War of Phoenix Drop had a significant impact on the land; meaning the walls would pay the price for protecting the once prospering village. Even with those factors, Aphmau stared at the walls proudly, feeling nostalgic and proud memories flash across her eyes. The walls were greyish with hints of bright green mold growing in different cracks. Vines were hanging around the massive hole; those holes held deep painful memories but were now soon to be healed by Aphmaus's plan. Everyone stood in front of the gigantic borders with unsure eyes, unable to see Aphmau's vision.

“So, how do you plan to fix it?” Laurence asked, trying to figure out how to start.

“I was planning to fill in the holes where people can fit through!” Aphmau responded excitedly.

Laurence shrugged and agreed before asking how she planned to begin, and with a smile, Aphmau explained to everyone her plan. To start things off she planned to have Dante and Laurence start from the end walls, filling and placing stones in holes with mud to help patch it up. Katelyn and Aphmau would do the same, but begin near the gates. Katelyn listened carefully, noting that Aphmau wanted to start at the most damaged areas instead of Laurence and Dante. As the sun began to set the four had begun their small project, not planning to stop until they made decent progress. Fireflies slowly began rising from the darkness while they worked, letting them have a small distraction from repairing the walls for a few seconds.

Even with the moon set in the sky, the group continued to work, having no thoughts of stopping present. It would be at least 2 hours since they began, and they had sent the guards to know where they were and to hide it from the two lords. The wind slowly whined down and the air turned crisped while the stars lit up the sky. Katelyn and Aphmau had made decent progress, patching up major holes that could be main entrances. Laurence and Dante were doing the same and were now halfway through the first wall from meeting the gates. But even with the enthusiasm Aphmau had, Katelyn could tell something was on her mind. Something was holding her back and even with Laurence not being able to fully see that detail, Katelyn continued to observe her and waited for the right time to discuss it.

“Lady Aphmau. I can tell something is on your mind. Would you like to enlighten me?” Katelyn asked as she held onto some stone while Aphmau placed mud to fill in the spaces.

The question caught her off guard and surprised her to see Katelyn had been observing her. But with a heavy sigh, she looked down at the stones as she spoke.

“I want to find my own place.”

Katelyn tilted her head in confusion, unsure why that would be something of worry. “How come?”

“I just.. Phoenix drop was never mine to begin with. It rightfully belongs to Levin and he just got the role to be a lord as well. It's not right for me to just suddenly come back and steal his right to be lord.” Aphmau explained, saddened.

“You could still stay here. But not be a lord.. Is something deeper in mind?” Katelyn asked as she looked at Aphmau.

“I.. I think I have a calling.. I'm always the one leading in any situation, and people follow me more quickly. I want to continue helping people like how I did when I was the Lord of Phinox drop.. Plus I got told a few days ago that the Phinoex alliance was broken up too. I want to help open that alliance as well help Phinox drop grow once more..” Aphmau’s face got serious.

“I want a place of our own. A place where people in need or looking for shelter from wars to come too. I want to continue helping people in my own way with my friends.” Aphmau looked up from the stones and looked directly at Katelyn as she spoke.