10 Chapter Ten

Pyrian

  After the ax incident, I was on the ball of my feet. Granted they would all go after me.

But once they realized I was not as easily deterred they would turn on themselves.

Of course, my mother would feed the fire. That's how she worked. Demons in general really, we all loved war and fighting.

I had never been in one so I had no clue.

Zenaya. I wish I could have explained why she needed to go.

I step into the sparring ring and immediately two guards start forward and I motion my hand forward, and they prepare themselves.

Zenaya

The three sisters had been nothing but kind within the last day. They let me sleep in their little hut they had made together.

In return I have been helping with their daily routine, helping out as best I can with tending to their animals and gardens.

We even took a walk and encountered a man who waved and smiled and that was that.

" Of course, that man was raised by nymphs, that's the only way we allow permanent residency of males in our region."

I nod even though I'm a little confused.

" What do you mean by that?"

Nora looks back over her shoulder as she steps over a rock.

"Well, men are horrible, they stink, have bad attitudes, and use us women to do what they don't wanna. It's rather foul of a person don't you think?"

I nod. Understanding a little bit now.

Nora turns back around and she goes quiet, "We need to go back to the hut, now."

The other two sisters immediately turn back around and usher me in the way we came from. They crouch down and I do the same.

"Why are we going back." Nora puts a finger to her mouth.

"People from your kingdom are here. They are not welcome and they always torment us."

I nod and the sisters quickly lead us back the way we came. They open their hut door and usher me inside.

They close it behind them and I'm handed a pack. I open the one Pyrian gave me and shove it in there.

They hurriedly kick a rug aside in the back of the room and open a hatch.

They motion me to go down it.

Of course, at this point, I have no choice. I go down it. No matter how much I hate the dark.

A million questions were at the front of my mind. Who were these people exactly? What are we running from, and why does it involve me?

Not to mention, for all I knew this could be a trap to snare me. Probably my fault for just staying here. I should have moved on.

They usher me forward and we continue like this for a while.

When I open my mouth to speak they shush me. I cross my arms and they point above ground.

Oh, they can hear well, can't they?

We go on like that for a while. Walking and walking. Eventually, we come into a cave, completely underground of course. But the walls were lined with lanterns. Two guards step out of the walls, except they are female.

But just as scary.

" What are you here for sisters?"

Saya steps forward.

" Men, from the Demon Kingdom, Daeyalus."

They move us forward and we emerge into a town square as it looks.

Women and children everywhere. All kinds of nymphs. Water nymphs and nature, as well air. They are all here. The children are all playing. There are not many males to be seen. The only ones I see are a few helping the woman carry the children in and out of stores.

Nora sees my awe.

"It is amazing what Queen Aquarius has done for us. She was raised by humans so they saw fit to name her after a water sign. But she is very caring."

I nod. Still a little too surprised to even talk. This entire place, I never knew even existed till now. I honestly wasn't aware of any kingdoms outside of the one I had known my entire life. 

Nora smiles at me, knowing the awe I feel. "Us sisters live on the outskirts of the city, so we don't get to see this often. But when we do, every time love we have never known fills us to the brim."

I nod, understanding that.  The guards step forward and wave their hands, immediately the people stop what they are doing calmly, and wait for further directions. 

"Dearest people, we have been told men from a neighboring kingdom have entered our lands. If I could ask you to calmly make your way to the palace for safety, it would be appreciated."

Everyone started calmly grabbing their children and walking towards what I assume would be the palace. It was almost uncanny, how mechanical everyone moved. As if they had done this a thousand times before. The men carried the children and the women walked next to them. the guards were in the front and the sides. A few taking up the back to make sure things were safe. The three sisters led me to the crowd and we all began walking towards the palace.  

Along the way everything was in different hues, the people talked but it was hushed. Just simple exchanges of "hellos" and "how are you doing today." 

The three sisters walked hand in hand with each other for comfort. It saddened me, for I was a stranger here. I had no place whatsoever in this kingdom. My place was somewhere else.

But was it? Was I even wanted? 

If not then why did he even bother? What did I do that was so horrible for him to just cast me away?

I shake my head. At this point who cares? I am not there, I am here right now. I need to make it count for what it is worth. The palace looms ahead of us. 

It's ancient-looking pillars a tower of confidence and beauty. Women with flowing dresses carved into each side, the blue quartz lining every edge made it gorgeous and a standing work of art. 

The palace itself was the definition of royalty. But not too grand as to brag. But grand enough to be noticed. The people smile as one when they see it. Guards open the palace doors and the people file in, they are each handed a blanket and a bag of food. 

"Come right in my people, brothers, and sisters. Make yourself comfortable." The people erupt in smiles and joyous energy. That must be Queen Aquarius.

The sisters take my hand at once and drag me towards the direction of the Queen. 

I internally freak out. Standing on the staircase is a radiant middle-aged nymph. A blue diamond crown resting upon her dainty pale face. Her black hair shining under the castle lights.

" Your majesty!" The Queen turns to us as the sisters kneel and drag me down to do the same. 

She laughs lightly, "Oh, my sisters please rise." We rise and they smile at her radiance. 

"Your majesty, if you would not mind we would like to speak in private quarters with you that might pertain to the men we saw." 

The Queen raises an eyebrow but says nothing more. She motions for us to follow her and we do. And I await my impending doom, for I know they will bring me into it.