Chapter 11: Earth Court

SIENNA

The main castle of the Earth Court rose on the horizon like a fortress born from nature itself. It wasn’t a structure of stone and metal, but a living masterpiece, where colossal trunks served as columns and walls seemed woven from interlaced branches, strong as steel. Vines heavy with flowers hung from the balconies, and the natural waterfalls surrounding it echoed with their constant murmur. Everything was ostentatious, but not in an artificial way; nature itself shaped it with its majesty.

Bastian brought us here with one sole intention: to prove to his father and the courtiers that we were his best investment. His best hunter. His best potion maker. His most valuable asset.

Astrid, as always, fit in anywhere as if she had been born for it. She moved with a grace that made everyone around her unconsciously drawn to her. Her light laughter echoed through the castle halls, her sweetness was a magnet. And Bastian… Bastian knew it. He could sense it.

He could perceive every emotion that blossomed from her, could notice the way her heart beat faster when he was near. And he played with that. He moved subtly, letting his fingers brush against Astrid’s when handing her a potion vial, leaning in just enough for his breath to graze her ear. Astrid tried to hide it, but he noticed. I did too.

But unlike her, I had no time for games. Not when my life depended on always being ready. Not when the only reason I was here was because Bastian wanted to showcase me as a sharp, lethal weapon. And I wasn’t the only one who saw it that way.

Aldrion, the captain of the army, had been watching me since day one. Tall, dark-skinned, with the body of someone who had spent a lifetime training, he commanded respect effortlessly. But what truly unsettled him wasn’t my skill with weapons—it was the fact that I showed no fear. Not before him, not before anyone.

When we trained together for the first time, his eyes lit up with a mix of admiration and caution. He was strong, calculating, and knew how to move in battle. But I didn’t fight with technique. I fought with instinct. And that concerned him.

—You're fast —he remarked, blocking my attack with his sword.

—I’d say you’re slow —I replied, spinning and launching myself again.

Our swords clashed, sparks flying. Every strike I made was wild, every defense of his was precise. It was a game of strength versus agility, strategy versus instinct. But when he smiled, I knew he was enjoying this as much as I was.

—Do you always fight as if your life depends on it? —he asked, pausing for a moment.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand.

—Because it does, Captain.

The glint in his eyes told me this wouldn’t be the last time we crossed blades.

When we finally arrived at the main castle, I understood what it meant to be part of the Earth Court.

Unlike the gold and marble palaces of other courts, this place was alive. Columns formed from ancient trees reached up to touch the sky, their thick roots creating natural pathways where courtiers strolled. The air smelled of damp wood, fertile earth, power in its purest form. Here, earth wasn’t just an element—it was the essence of everything.

But not everyone welcomed us.

The courtiers whispered among themselves as we passed. They didn’t like that we were here. They didn’t like that Bastian had brought human outsiders to present them as his best weapons. But Bastian didn’t stop, didn’t pay them any mind.

He led us straight into the grand hall, where his father awaited us. Astrid and I wore majestic garments, our hair falling in waves over our shoulders down to our waists. Together, we displayed the duality that had always defined us: fire and night. Astrid radiated light in her dress of golden and soft hues, while mine, dark as midnight, seemed to absorb the light around it. We were different, yet at the same time, identical in the essence we shared.

The Lord of the Earth was an imposing man, with a heavy presence and a critical gaze. He looked us over, evaluating us. He didn’t see us as people. He saw us as pieces on a board.

—Father —Bastian said, with that natural confidence of his—, I present to you Sienna, my best hunter, and Astrid, my best potion maker.

The Lord of the Earth didn’t respond immediately. His gaze traveled over every inch of us, heavy as a stone slab. His eyes assessed, analyzed, judged. We weren’t welcome, but we weren’t insignificant either. His fingers drummed against the arm of his throne, his expression unreadable.

—Don’t be deceived by their pretty faces or their size —Bastian added with a smirk—. Sienna has killed more Nimbaris than a dozen soldiers combined.

The Lord of the Earth slowly nodded, letting the weight of that statement settle in the room. Then, with a slight nod, he said:

—Welcome to the Earth Court.

The air seemed to relax slightly, though tension still pulsed in the corners of the hall. Finally, the Lord stood up and gestured broadly toward the long dining table at the back of the room.

—Let’s dine.

We dined in a grand hall illuminated by crystal chandeliers, with an endless table overflowing with exotic delicacies. From spiced meats to vibrantly colored fruits, everything was a display of power and wealth. Astrid and I had already grown accustomed to fine food during our stay in Bastian’s castle; they treated us as if we weren’t just two humans repaying a life debt, but part of something greater.

I sat beside the great Lord. I suppose I felt tense, but my senses were alert. Around me, the inhabitants of the Earth Court, from the servants to the courtiers, radiated wild beauty: sun-kissed brown skin, eyes in shades of earth and amber. In contrast, Astrid and I stood out almost uncomfortably: pale skin, long hair—hers black as night, mine red as fire. And my freckles, always reminding me that I didn’t fully belong in this world.