Cherubim Castles and the Garden of Bliss

I suddenly bolted upright, which was hard enough with my pale pink nightgown twisted into my ivory gingham sheets, and I realized that the new world was being accosted by voices, many of them.
Distinct sounds of hammers and nails, foremen barking orders, heavy machinery and a wide array of workers, filled the air. Though I sensed this action to be taking place away from the castle and at the center of the barren land, my heightened senses could pick up each sound clearly.
These signs brought me to an unmistakable conclusion; construction on the villages had begun. I didn’t know whether to be excited or terrified. I would forever remember this time as the beginning of either my destiny or my downfall in this strange place, so far ungoverned and full of certainty.
And what was my role in all of this? I certainly wasn’t going to ask Avery again. I suppose if I wanted to seem like the laid back type and less annoying, I could at least feign patience, but it wasn’t my strong suit.
As I slid out of my very high bed, I turned to look at the fireplace opposite it, and watched as fire whooshed up and engulfed its stone cherubian confines.
Being a slower thinker in the morning, it took me a few minutes of staring for a revelation to take form in my mind. There probably weren’t motion sensors in the castle; I had firepower, quite literally. It certainly explained what happened at the gargoyle city, even if I hadn’t done it on purpose.
As I tidied my bed, disturbing Rufus again, I decided I would talk to Eric about it as I could be assured of his intrigue and enthusiasm. I wanted to speak to him more than ever now, him being the most unwaveringly loyal friend and family that I had ever had.
I supposed we would train today and the residents weren’t likely to turn up, but I wanted to peek at the progress if I got the opportunity just the same. I opened the window shutters and looked out at the hills and enchanted river a small walk away from my side of the castle.
Someone knocked lightly on the door, which caused Rufus to jump up and investigate with a thorough sniffing. I thought it might be Avery, not that I felt like greeting him in my nightgown right now.
After cautiously opening my door a crack, I peered out to see Zophiel diligently standing at the end of the hall in front of the bathroom. His hands clasped and his wings covering his knee-length gown a little, I got the feeling he had been there quite some time.
A big smile appeared on his face the instant he saw me and I couldn’t help but mirror his pleasure. “Have you been there all night?” I asked worriedly.
He considered my question for a moment before taking a step forward. “Well not here specifically. In some instances I was in other parts of the hall, but of course I can confirm that I was in the general vicinity since you retired to your room last night.”
“Oh I’m sorry, Zophiel. If I had known, I would have offered you a chair. I feel terrible.”
He suddenly rushed toward me, all eyes in my direction. “Oh no, are you unwell?”
I laughed loudly which caused Rufus to nudge up against my bare feet to see what was causing my excitement. “No! I mean I feel guilty that I let you stand out here all alone last night.”
He shook his head then seized my hands, which caused him to chuckle because my touch seemed particularly joyful to him for some reason. “You mustn’t feel guilty, Penny child.”
He leaned in closer to me as low as possible for such a tall being and got a secretive expression on his face. “I didn’t mind it really. I liked playing the hero. Castles and heroes are quite congruent you know. If I could get armor over my wings I could see myself as somewhat of a dashing knight.”