2 TWO

Celeste had made a mess of things and she knew it. But oh well, it was too late to regret it now. She truly had tried, she had. She walked, and bowed and poured the darn tea into the cup but all that didn't make her a proper lady. And Marilda ought to know that too. She nagged and nagged and it took all of Celeste's will not to throttle her. She resorted to calling her names in her mind. As the day progressed, the names got even more insulting.

After eight whole hours of torture finally Marilda herself was exhausted. But then her mother sent word that Celeste was not to be sent back until she was a complete and proper lady and Marilda accidentally let it slip that her mother's new found determination was only because the Prince of Casterale was riding to Idris tomorrow morning with his father and the prince was a perfectly handsome bachelor of Celeste's age and well that was their logic wasn't it? There's a girl and there's a boy and they're both the same age, lets try to set them up. And while we're at that, let's just ignore that they've never met each other, or that fact that they don't know each other's names. No, lets ignore all those bits shall we? This is an opportunity isn't it?

Celeste would like to lie to say she took it well. If you could call taking it well smashing a teapot full of hot tea and blurting some colorful language no proper lady should be heard using and then finally calling her tutor some thoughtful names and then storming outside. She had been overtaken by fury and a sense of betrayal. Her heart was a mess of emotions. Anger,resentment,confusion,frustration . So she found herself climbing a tree in the garden, something she always did when she was upset.

To her extreme annoyance her dress caught on a branch and with a cry of exasperation Celeste had ripped its fancy edges off.

The tree branch shook slightly with the wind. Celeste could see the garden very far off.

And maybe if I climb some tree really really high, I could see a world beyond this place, She thought.

And it was at times like these that it all caught up to her. The pressure,the fear, the loneliness. Celeste felt like she was choking on mere air. The pressure in her chest worsened as she closed her eyes.

" Count down from ten" She heard Gabe in her mind.

Oh Gabe. She longed for her brother as that horrible sinking feeling settled in her stomach.

"Ten," She whispered, The wind rustled as goosebumps appeared on her skin.

" Nine," She could hear distant sounds. People, shouting or were they laughing?

" Eight," Maybe everyone was looking for her. She wished they wouldn't.

"Seven," Her mother would be mad. She would be disappointed.

" Five," Gabe would know where she was. He'd come and comfort her and bring her back.

" Four, " There was a funny smell in the air. Like something was burning.

"Three, " The shouts were becoming louder. Was she imagining it or was it really screaming?

" Two," She was shaking now.

" One," Her eyes shot open only to be met by smoke coming from the east wing. Her breaths came in pants and she almost fell off the tree in shock. Was there a fire? Was everyone alright? She stumbled on her feet as she started running towards the castle.

It was screaming. She hadn't imagined it. It seemed as it the castle itself was screaming. Cries of agony and pain. Celeste felt fear as she had never before as she ran to the castle. She was on the western side and she could see it. The western gate but where were the guards? The gate was never without guards. Panic rose in her like a storm. The smell got worse as she approached the gate. It was too dark to see much.

That smell.

She walked closer. The glow from the torches now lighting up the scene.

The moment she saw the bodies, she fell to her knees. Only to realize the floor was wet. She brought her wet palm closer to see that they were covered in red. Celeste yelped as she tried to stand , only to fall in the puddle once more. Only then did she hear the bells ringing.

The City was under siege.

She was supposed to be inside.

Gabe was out there.

She had to move. Celeste got up, tears falling from her eyes as she choked back sobs. She felt hysteric. Blood rushed to her head and made her feel as if she was about to faint. She had to get inside. They would protect her.

She slipped into the door. It was eerie quiet. The Castle was never quiet. Thoughts rushed into her head like a hurricane as she quietly ran through the most deserted passes to avoid meeting the invaders. The closer she got to the throne room, the louder it got.

There had to be a logical explanation for this. Where was everyone? How did the invaders get in? Who were they? And what were they doing in her home?

She pressed her palms to her ears to keep the screams out. Hot tears, of frustration and fear collected in her eyes. Her heart was thumping, its beat ringing in her ears.

Where would they be?

Surely the soldiers would drive the enemy out. But she had counted more bodies of her family's soldier than the others. She ran panting through the corridor to the library when a hand appeared from behind the pillar and grabbed her roughly. He slammed his palms against her mouth to silence her cries. Celeste screamed as she tried to bite him.It was then she heard it. Footsteps running . Then she saw them.

They were barbarians. Huge, bearded, wild, no doubt looking for her as they ran towards where she would be going. It was only when the had disappeared when the soldier took his hand off her. Celeste jumped away from him hysterically, her vision blurry. The Knight started to advance, raising both his hands in surrender.

" Get back!" Celeste shrieked. The guard stopped, taking his helmet off. Relief was a cold feeling that washed over her.

" Brandon! Thank God ! W-what is going-" Brandon shushed her. Blood was coated on his hair and his eyes danced with ghosts.

" Your brother sent me My Lady. I've been told to get you out of the castle at once"

" Out of the castle?" Celeste whispered in disbelief.

" Surely the castle is the safest place to be ! Our guards will drive the enemies out any moment now!"

" Our guards," snapped Brandon harshly. " Are either dead or traitors!"

"I will not abandon my family, my home!" Celeste said with more confidence that she felt.

" I want to see my father, my mother and my brother!"

" That's not possible"

" Listen to me you two faced piece o-" Brandon grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the corner roughly.

" Let go of me!" Celeste cried punching his arm.

" Look out the window" Brandon said gruffly.

" Don't tell me what to do!" Celeste fought.

" Just look!" His eyes softened a fraction.

Her heart thumped in her chest , she didn't want to look in fear of what she might see. But her curiosity got the better of her.

Curiosity killed the cat.

White banners hung on the the castle walls.