The Five Manors

Chapter 5 The Arrival

I hadn't looked behind me when our limousine had pulled away from the castle. I was done with the place. I may have good memories there but they have quickly been layered with darkness. I was glad I wouldn't have to see the queen for a long time.

So here we were. On the plane. On our way to the Fourth Manor.

I had ignored Zarina so far. Jasmine and Avery sat in the front of the private jet blabbing away in excitement(which they had been doing ever since we left the castle). They were blind though. They had no idea about the cruelness of the queen or what she has done to her people. To them, being sent to the First Manor to die isn't a big deal.

Catherine should be here right now. But I couldn't dwell on that. She was gone but there was still a way I could honor her memory.

I smile at the thought.

I didn't know where I would find this Vincent person in the Fourth Manor, but I would.

Sighing, I lean back and close my eyes.

I didn't know what to expect when we arrived at the Fourth Manor. The most information I had been able to get out of anyone was that this was just that it was training. I already knew that. But when I would ask what kind of training, they would just shrug their shoulders and claim they didn't know.

If it was mental training, I would excel in that. I had done well in the English and History. Even though I found our country's history slightly boring, I was still able to get the facts down. Writing and reading were my specialities. Math and Science were my weaker subjects but I was still a good problem solver. I loved puzzles and riddles. While all the other girls over the years had found learning boring, I found it intriguing. We had also been required to learn latin. I had been pretty good at memorizing nomens too.

If the training had anything to do with physical fighting . . . I was a gonner. I wasn't athletic. Queen Krea had experimented on our talents when we had first arrived at the castle all those years ago and we had found that I wasn't any good around flying objects or swords.

Our society wasn't one of music, so we were never required to learn any musical instruments. But I rather enjoyed singing, of course, I wasn't sure if I was any good though since I had never sang to anyone before. But on my free time I had always gone to the library and had found old music books and MC-chips where I could listen to old songs that had been popular before the Western War.

Some turbulence snaps me out of my reverie and my eyes are suddenly open. I look around to all the shocked faces when I hear a voice over the plane comm.
"We are sorry for any uncomfort you may have just felt. We are experienced some mild turbulence right now but it is sure to be over in a minute." The male's voice pauses for a moment and I hear another voice in the background before he speaks up again. "One more thing, we will be landing within the hour. In a moment, we will be passing out uniforms that you are required to wear for your transition into the Fourth Manor. These will be your training outfits for you will be meeting with your instructors when you exit the plane. Please be dressed in your uniform within the next thirty minutes and be seated when you are done. Thank you for your attention."

I look to the aisle and notice that the flight attendants have already started passing out uniforms. I don't see what they look like from here even though I try peeking my head over the seat. Avery and Jasmine are directed to the back of the plane where the changing rooms were. When the flight attendants pass Zarina and I what I assume to be are uniforms-for they were placed in bright red sealed boxes- the lady tells us we will be next.

In a few minutes Zarina and I head to the back of the plane. We only exchanged a short smile. I knew she was trying to give me space after Catherine's death. Did Zarina know what the queen was truly capable of?