The Five Manors

Chapter 2 Tenebris Populo

"Guinevere," a familiar voice said. I opened my eyes. I was lying on one of the beds in the infirmary. When I sit up I realize who had spoken.

"Catherine!" I was so happy to see her. She was alive and . . . she looked perfectly fine. "You're not hurt," I observe. "How is that possible? I heard the gunshots and . . . " she smiles at me sadly. Her scarlet curly hair was falling in her eyes. She didn't even have a scratch on her.  Ruby earrings dangled from her ears and a she was wearing a crimson dress.

"Calm yourself Guinevere. I'm all right and so are you," she reassures me soothingly and pats my hand.  "I don't have much time. Listen very closely Guinevere." She stopped me before I could interrupt her to ask what was going on. "It was the tenebris populo that did this to me and they aren't finished. I couldn't give them what they wanted Guinevere and now they think that someone else has it. I can't tell you much yet -" I cut her off.

"Catherine! The Tenebris Populo haven't been around in ages. We all know this." I wanted to ask her so many questions. Number one being how was she alive but I was more curious of why she was babbling about  the Tenebris Populo.

The dark people. Years ago the entire western hemisphere fell into war with itself. They had all believed it was because of disagreements and politics that had started the conflicts but it was actually a large cult called the Tenebris Populo that had been growing over time that had thrown the western hemisphere into such a disarray.  After about nine years of Western War we finally realized who the real enemy was and joined forces to stop them. North America. Canada, Greenland, Mexico, and South America all joined together to stop the Tenebris Populo. We had destroyed all of the tenebris populo(according to the textbooks). Later, the western hemisphere decided to make a peace alliance by forming one big union. This ended what we call today The Western War.  We named the capital of our new union Pacem which is latin for peace. Latin is the root of practically all of our languages so that's why many of the terms we use are latin sayings. As for the name of our new union it was to be called Edith and from that the Five Manors were created to maintain order within the union. It was supposed to be a monarchy but most called it a horrid form of tyranny.

"The Tenebris Populo were never destroyed Guinevere," Catherine said snapping me out of my reverie. "Like I said before. We don't have much time together." She took a shaky breath before she continued. "I know of a certain object that can end the rule of Queen Krea. But in the wrong hands it could create a ruler even worse than her. It has been kept safe and hidden from everyone all these years so that the Tenebris Populo would never find it and use it to destroy us.  That's why they came after me. They knew I knew where it was." squeezing my hand she took in another shaky breath. "They were half wrong. I know which Manor it is in but not where in that Manor."

"What is it Catherine? What are you babbling about?" I ask confused.

"It's in the Fourth Manor. Where you are headed for the next stage of training. The reason I am telling you this is because I need you to carry out a message for me to a certain man there. His name is Vincent. This is what I need you to tell him. Tell him that Catherine was killed by the Tenebris Populo and that they now know about what's in the Fourth Manor."

"Dead?" I shook my head.

"Catherine you're not dead. You're right in front of me..." I looked down to wear she was sitting. Where there should have been an imprint from her weight in the cushions of the seat, there was nothing. "Oh my many moons. Catherine you can't be . . . oh . . . "

"It's allright. I'm afraid this is the last time you're ever going to see me." Tears prickle in the corners of her eyes and we both surged forward and hug each other at the same time. Only . . . I couldn't actually feel her arms around me. I knew of her presence but . . . "They killed me Guinevere. They found out where I had the name of the location hidden and they killed me afterward so I wouldn't be able to tell anyone they were there. But I had a few tricks up my sleeve to come and be able to see you one last time."

I released her. "You're really dead aren't you?" I ask in between tears.

"Yes," she says softly.

"Guinevere, you have to deliver that message. Can you do that for me?" She looks me sternly in the eyes.

"Y-yes," I sniffle.

"Guinevere, you can't tell anyone else about this. Not even the Queen. This information I have given you . . . you mustn't tell anyone but Vincent." She smiles at me and stands up. "I believe in you Guinevere," she says.

I blink once. When I open my eyes, she's gone.