I own nothing…

I watched the humans from afar, I never understood why we protect them. They seek to destroy and concur as we lay witness to, but Michael created us to uphold and protect them from the demons, but I can't see the difference between them. They travel to pillage and kill the ones here before them only to take their land, their way of life.

Gale watches next to me, "In time they will grow, for now, we protect," I had no faith these creatures would grow and evolve into something worth protecting. I fly into the night, I knew our Queen was making plans to relocate once the Holy place was built in America for now, we reside here in France.

We were silhouettes against the orange-kissed heavens. Only an hour ago we would have been pale against a blue sky, but the twilight was advancing and soon they would be lost in blackness. The long shadows of the evening dissolved into the gathering darkness of the nighttime. The air-cooled and the crickets sang.

We crossed into the Ocean, leaving land behind for now. The Ocean was a vast mystery, with its unimaginable depth the deep blue sea was god's great creation. Of wondrous sea creatures and the raging, rough water that is so Blue, amazing beyond beautiful one might say tranquil.

The hour is growing late as we arrived, Gargoyles in their form stand watch as some are in slumber. Gale leaves to write his report and me to my chambers where I would write mine for Queen Lenore, only tomorrow would we hold consul. I see Rita she stood at the door of Princess Shaylee guarding the beast while she slumbered.

I ask, "How was Princess Shaylee, today?"

"The Princess was ill, she still did her training as in her eyes it is her duty to learn. But Queen Lenore just retired to her chambers, the healers have her fever down for now. But we worry our little Princess has been ill yet again," she opened the door and there she was sleeping her face so pale.

"I will go and talk to the Queen in the morning she also needs to sleep. Please alert us if she wakes or the healers come,"

She might be trouble in a small bundle, but she was our only hope to end this war. Our Princess even if she was not a factor in this war, she was going to rule us all and deep down I know she will be ten times the Queen her great mother already is.

The Holy castle walls are the strongest thing for miles around, yet when any looks carefully they notice the stones. It is built of stones of varying sizes and shapes, each one unique. From a distance it is uniform grey, from up close it is a mosaic of humble rocks, each of them nobody would think anything of where they lose by the roadside. But together they are a castle, the crown of the landscape and protector of ancient people. I walked to the entrance hall seeing the familiar sight of my family.

My mother and father stood together, he was going to hand his right to rule to Brice as I have refused to return to Perth. My father stood tall about a good foot taller than me mum, my brother was not as tall as myself. I smiled at them, "Welcome to this Holy place, please follow me to Queen Lenore," my tone happy it was always nice to see my family one these short visits.

My father clapped my back in a hug, my mother gushed and Brice he acted as if I was non-existent. Together we walked heading towards the grand hall where Queen Lenore was waiting for our arrival.

The candles flickered as we passed, the sashes of our fallen brothers and sisters hung with great care, a show of the sacrifice they paid. The sunlight shone through the oval window, lying on the tiled floor like sweet honey when we entered. Queen Lenore stood with Barachel and Levi behind her. I noticed the second smaller throne next to her, this was new but the Amethyst color was a giveaway.

"Please sit," she waved her hands with grace at the remaining chairs, I took my position at her side. She continued, "Jai, I am not in agreement with the change of rule. However, in a few years when Brice is ready may it take place. He has not stopped aging, yes, he will in the next two years and then and only then might it happen. You're a great ruler and still in your prime my old friend," she was very wise indeed and I was in full agreement with her decision.

My brother looked very angry but his face changed into a mask, my father spoke. "I agree my Queen, we came to see if our Gideon might like to rule over the Gargoyles of Perth," my anger hitched a few notches.

I moved forward as they Queen herself looked shocked, I was supposed to rule and I left them to stay here with the Queen and it was always my honor. "That is now up to him," but her voice broke.

Right than little vivid purple eyes peeked from the table, the beast had been under the table the entire time. Now her blonde hair is seen as she climbs onto her throne, her eyes watching everyone. Her voice like a feather on the wind, "No, Commander Gideon has a new duty. A high honor it is to guard our Queen, do you feel your son is not fit to guard her?" we all looked at the little beast, she was learning and paying attention to every word we ever said.

Father spoke, "It is a great honor, Princess. But I am ready to hand my rule down,"

She spoke right after, "You lost your passion for it, maybe you should travel for a while and remember why you loved it so. Michael makes no mistakes and…" her face scrunched up before she continued. "Commander can return home for three months while you go on missions to remind you of why you were chosen to rule. My mother said that Ireland is infected,"

I corrected, "Infested, Princess,"

She amended, "Infested, you will go with some of your clan and aid them. You have three months and tonight before my slumber I will pray to our father Michael you get your fire back," her voice so filled with conviction even when it was childlike.

Brice stood, "I agree with our Princess, her words gave me a spark. I will take my training more seriously and be the ruler my father has always been, I need time to learn and be worthy enough for your grace to allow the change of rule," something was amiss here, I knew he wanted the warrior life. I watched as our parents gushed and the Queen smiled.

"Such a wise son, three years and I think I would allow Brice to rule. Commander three months and then return home to us," she took the demon's advice when I would not have wanted to leave. But maybe this is what my father needed to be reminded of what we all fight for and what ruling means.

Like that, I was leaving, but seeing Brice watching the little Princess gave me one fear. Fear, that he wanted to rule to court her our mother instilled it in us to marry the Queen or Princess, I failed her in this as I was not in love with Lenore, Theo was. With any power I held, Princess Shaylee would not wed my brother he was greedy and not worth her.

"Keziah, report anything to me. Nothing is too small," her dark eyes bore into mine and with a nod, she carried Shaylee away.

I watched the purple eyes that held tears, I called. "I will be back, I promise. I will never leave you. Maybe I will bring another gift if I hear a word you have behaved," but she still looked upset, maybe she felt her mother was in danger without me here, and maybe she was right.

This once I leave with my family.