Page 85 of Trust the Fall
ROYALS
Like something out of a human child’s storybook, a massive golden castle gleams under a sun-filled sky in the distance. It’s larger than any building I’ve seen in person. Bigger than the castles of Europe that I’ve read about, if I had to guess. It’s truly magnificent.
Heavy iron gates open as we approach, allowing us access to the inner heart of the reaper kingdom. I must look like a fool to all the reapers walking past River and me. My mouth is agape, and my eyes are wide as saucers.
Reapers call out their greetings to River, but I hardly register any of them. I don’t offer a single smile or wave. I’m too enamored by this place to pay any attention to anything but the scenery.
The architecture is a hodgepodge that somehow manages to come together in the most spectacular way. The cobblestone roads leading to the castle entrance are lined with timbered storefronts, the likes of German villages I’ve visited in the past, selling a variety of items.
There’s your typical bakery, an armory, and a grocery store on one side and furniture, clothing, and shoe stores on the opposite side of the road. Thatched-roof huts begin after the end of the stores selling various produce.
Reaper children call out current deals, trying to sell their daily stock. This place is a mix of old and modern times. I feel like I’m in the twilight zone, unable to decide what century this place adheres to, because it feels medieval in some respects and modern in others. It’s unlike anywhere I’ve ever been.
Toward the edge of the town center, a uniform set of brick homes form two rows. Each house has the same outside façade, and they are spaced equally apart. The lawns are manicured, and the shrubbery is the same.
“What are these?” I ask, pointing toward the identical buildings.
“The guard houses. It’s where our military generals reside.”
“With their families?”
River glances at me. “No. The guard don’t marry. They might look like houses, but inside, they’re the equivalent to barracks.”
“So, not family friendly,” I think out loud.
“Definitely not. I can’t think of one female that would choose to live in the bunk houses.”
“Does Cat have to stay there?” I recall the female guard we met when we arrived.
I can’t imagine having to stay in bunk houses with the angels. We were given our own residences in Heaven. There’s no way I would’ve managed to not end one or more of their existences if I had to share confined space with any of them.
“She actually lives in the castle. She’s one of Camille’s personal guards.”
I don’t remark on his informal use of the queen’s name, but I wonder if that’s normal around here or a River exception. In the end, I don’t ask, and River doesn’t elaborate.
We continue walking in silence, and I don’t mind it at all. There’s so much to see.
Over the rooftops of the guard houses, several large estates loom in the near distance.
“And those? What are they?”
“That’s where your dukes live.” He smirks and I roll my eyes, recalling our conversation back in Hell, when he attempted to explain reaper hierarchy.
“Hardy har har,” I say.
“In all seriousness, that is where the higher-ranking reapers reside.”
“So you weren’t lying when you said it was similar to a monarchy?”
“Why would I? Like I said, this information is readily available if you know where to look.”
“I’ve always been told that reapers are tricksters. Creatures that like to keep others at bay.” I shrug.
“We’re actually an open book... if you can get one of us to talk.”
I grunt. “You talk... a lot.”
He smirks but otherwise ignores my dig. “The only thing you won’t find is where our kingdom is hidden. We like that part to remain a mystery for safety purposes. It’s easier if everyone believes reapers to simply be wanderers.”