Every chapter is or will be from Commander Gideons Point of view from here on out. If it is not there will be s note or a point of view change. I own many things but this is not a money making story.
1795 A.D.
The night sky is how I came to wish to fly. It is the most beautiful art, alive within raw energy, a song for the eyes. At times I felt as if I could feel it vibrating somehow, whispering in a way the ears cannot hear. I guess it felt friendly when the world of people felt so devoid of love. I wanted to see it right, in three dimensions, see the sculpture of divine hands.
My body is ridged as if my spine was forged of steel, I was upright and rigid like a sergeant major. There was a suggestion of movement from beyond the entrance doors, inside the darkened hall. It was formless and indistinct, like a piece of shadow shifting. But it was Ophir and Keziah, they held between them a creature, this was no man.
I snarled, "What is this," each word was spat in loathing for whatever this was.
Ophir moved as Levi and Gale chained it down, it snarled and yanked at the thick chains. "We found him being attacked by a hoard of demons. We protect not treat others with little care,"
Keziah gave me a single look, "Get the Queen, Commander," her voice cracked like a whip.
I had no choice, this was going to concern Queen Lenore so it is best we speed this along so that I could get the approval of killing the creature. I walked the stone halls, the candles lit showing me the fallen sashes of Gargoyles who we have lost in battle. The halls cold during the evening time as the smell of Magnolias and the ocean wafted from the open alcove windows.
"Queen Lenore, come. Ophir has brought some creature," I alerted her knowing fully well how cruel I sounded. I ushered her away my hand braced on her back leading her to the chamber we are holding the creature in.
"We found demons attacking him, we aren't sure why Majesty," Keziah said in a low bow as Queen Lenore circled the thing.
I walked with her "We should destroy it, Queen Lenore," offering her the best solution.
"Why did they want you?" she asked but he just pulled at the chains "I don't know," he growled at her the filth, I wanted to end him right here but needed her approval.
She spoke to him again, "I am Queen Lenore, we are the Gargoyle's; protectors of humanity, the Archangel Michael created us. We all have a higher purpose, some have just yet to find theirs. Your creator never gave you a name, I shall call you Adam." Her voice soft as she was close to him, her hands braced against his dirty face looking into his eyes, his eyes held promise, he was no creature.
I say, "My Queen, it is made from the corpses of humans. He is a creature and it is in our duty to Michael, your people, and humans to destroy him,".
Princess Shaylee spoke up, "He is no creature Commander Gideon, he is not an animal. But yet you treat him like one, chained like a beast to the floor. He has a higher purpose, we are no one to stand in the way of his fate." each of us turns to look at the Princess, her guards smiling, but my eyes look at her in such anger and disbelief.
But I retort, "Princess Shaylee," bowing low to her grace, she walked into the room further looking at Adam, he gazed at her in fascination, That was understandable she looked to glide over the stone floor, an angel.
Her smile was radiant, "I am Princess Shaylee of the Gargoyles, Adam son of Frankenstein. Let him go, mother, we don't treat others this way,"
Queen Lenore answered her daughter, "Let Adam go, give him weapons to protect himself. My child, you're wise beyond your years, a true Queen you will become," our Queen walked from the chamber.
Before I followed the Queen out my body stopped looking down on the Princess, her eyes lock with mine and for a moment she was the only thing in this world. She raised her head a fraction of an inch, her eyes glowing. "Commander you're dismissed," her tone was pleasant enough but knowing her you could hear the satisfaction she was dismissing me.
Giving her one last look before leaving to escort the Queen to her chambers, "Your daughter will be the death of me, Queen Lenore," anyone could hear the desperation in my tone.
"Than a stunning death yours will be, Gideon," she smiled at me and without thought, I returned the smile because what she said was true. We sit talking for some time. This was us, every night going over privacy issues and tonight was no different.
She spoke softly, her teacup only making aa slight sound as she placed it on the small china plate. "Soon, I will have her married. In my heart, I hope she does disagree so that she may find her mate. We both know she must follow her heart, but she has been so sheltered and might perhaps a ball would be better. I should start planning it with this in mind," she rambled and in truth, I hoped she chose a ball so that she could find someone who saw her not for her title but for the wild and untamed nature she held herself too.
I stood, "Rest well my Queen," my tone gruff and sad as I made my exit wanting away from the conversation of the one, I loved marrying another. But this was my eternal damnation to love and not be loved in return. Leaving the Queen's chambers the normal cold chill took over even as the candles flickered, as most saw me a hush fell over them when I was in this mood everyone stood clear of me. The sweet smell of jasmine lingers in the air so that when I cross the threshold it's like a shot of adrenaline right to my heart. Silence crashes down around me.
Shaylee she smiles. I must be surrounded. She could have me killed right now but she won't. Where's the sport in that? So much more fun to have me lose my mind. But I won't. I won't. She steps nearer going to her chambers, the jasmine is now so heady it's almost poison, I want to hold my breath, but this is not going to be quick.
"Princess, why must you defy me," my deep voice echoed from behind her, she only turns a fraction of an inch, alerting me I was heard.
"How am I defying you, Commander, I am ranked above yourself," giving me a raised brow, her face was devoid when I was near. All those years of bellowing at her caused her to never desire my company and none could fault her.
"He should have been destroyed Shaylee," she sighed as we walked. The warmth coming off her felt as if it touched my soul, her steps fluid and without sound as we continued to walk together.
"I don't think so, I think when he finds himself he will be what we need to win this war for the time being. I have to make the best choice for our people this was it, Commander, now if you will excuse me," she rushed, rushed away from me to the waiting Keziah who waited at her chamber doors.
I also must ready for the feast leaving to my chambers.
Together Princess Shaylee walked in with her guard, her mother was seated to my right and Shaylee to her left. I fumed to myself that walking corpse was out there now alone and up to his own devices, this was a travesty.
"My daughter has given me the hope Adam will be a turning point in the war against Demons." My eyes touch on her, not because of Adam but because she radiated light and love.
A cheer rang out as Keziah whispered louder than she understood, "Rumor has spread your mother is near an agreement to have you wed to Naul of the western tribe," the way our Princess's face twisted in disgust made my heart flutter.
Retorting low, "I would flee before she could make it so," our wise Queen heard her well enough as they locked eyes and some unsaid words pass between them.
"To our Queen, to our Princess," slamming my goblet down, the red wine spilling over, as cheers rang once again.
I shouldn't have but my ears perked up to listen to them speaking low. "Child what is troubling you?" the emotion was evident in the Queen's tone.
"I will not wed him if I am to marry shouldn't it be by my choice? I think the time for an arranged marriage is done," her face softened as she considered her angel's words, this was good.
"If that is your choice child, I will agree you are now free to choose a husband. Once Naul comes in a fortnight I will tell him, go sleep child," I was calmed at her agreeable nature.
She was walking the lone hall to her chambers alone, her guard reporting as I followed behind her. "Princess," my voice trying to remain calm as her body halted turning towards me.
She turned her hair moving in such a way it reviled her pale skin and her glowing purple eyes as they turned up to mine. "Yes Commander?" she questioned him "I as your mother's guard heard your conversation. Do you think it wise to not marry Naul?" just wanting to know why she was turning this suiter down, not that I was in any disagreement but this might give her that very impression.
"I will only marry a man I love, that is what marriage is. A union of two that love each other," her jasmine scent was filling me as she walked on with me coming to her side.
I offered, "I agree, I love someone more than my life, I would ascend to please her."
She nodded, "Then Commander she is very lucky to have your love," my larger hand moved beyond her, touching the oak carvings of her door opening it for her.
"One day she will know of my love," she turned to me her face so pale.
"I bid you goodnight Gideon," her tone was still soft as we stared each other down, then I was gone leaving her to watch me leave.
All we ever have is this moment and all we can control is ourselves. The past is the stories we tell, the future a series of moments each called "now" in turn. This is the power to change ourselves. What stories do we choose to recall? The best ones, the ones that give you strength and hope? Or do we tell the ones that bring pain and misery? In each moment there are choices for both positive and negative thoughts and deeds. The good news is that the more we make the harder yet better choice, the better we get at making good choices. It's similar to getting fit, the more we practice, the fitter we get and the easier it becomes. And in this personal transformation the best version of you will be born, the person you were always destined to be.