The Mistress' Revenge

From the scrolls...

Duke Lewis Canton

Small square houses line the market, as I walk past the Sword Cross Centre. The sigel of House Canton flies on the flag post. Troops are stationed everywhere and around, a flock of children are raving about sweets and fireworks and shopkeepers are hawking their goods.

"Flower taffies! Flower taffies!" Someone cries, and a group of giggling girls crowd outside it.

They are all wearing silk robes. Some more lavish then others. A few of them, are in plain ones. A few copper coins are exchanged. The flower taffies are bought.

"Flower Taffies. Flower Taffies made from Ester Rose," the shopkeeper screams, and everyone gasps and the crowd grows till the shop becomes engulfed in it.

I stand in the corner and watched as the sun dips into the blue of the horizon. The candles on the posts come aflame. Torches are lit, across and around the street filling it with light.

"You are an idiot, Joel," a young man comes in, with a woman on his arm.

"And what do you know about the King?" She narrows her eyes at him.

"Our King has died. There's no King. The Spear that guarded our Kingdom couldn't be yielded by the king's bastard," the boy mocks. "Some say, he is not even a man," he laughs.

I gently tap my foot on the rock pavement, unbothered by it all. They are kids, it's not like they know what goes around.

"You are such a disgrace, Carmy! Duke Lewis Canton is the bravest man in the whole of Gestalt," the girl put her foot down. Interesting.

"You only say that because you think he looks attractive," the boy confronts her. Good Lord.

"And, do you not?" She snaps back. "He has the greenest eyes. And do you know who has green eyes? Dragons," she tells him, and I feel my throat turning dry.

"He's just a bastard child. There's no way he is a dragon," the boy opposes her. "Also, he is just lucky. He got the throne. And..." His voice lowers to a whisper.

"I think he is an arrogant prick. He turned down Lady Vanya. Would you believe it?" The boy shakes his head.

"No, Carmy. That must not be it. But what if he secretly loves her and wouldn't-"

"Cut it, Joel. Not the 'Everyone's in love' shit again," the boy retorts. "Isn't me loving you enough?" He looks at her like young people look at each other when they are in love. It was at this point that I realised that I had no business eavesdropping.

Thud. Ba Dum. Da..Da...Da... Thud. Ba Dum. Da...Da...Da...Thud. Ba Dum.

The music of the mourners. The drums had begun. The flutes followed in soft enough. Soft music flowed in, and I watched as the crowd around the Taffy shop scattered and gathered around the music.

The Knights became more weary, straightening at their posts as I felt my own anticipation built up. The young girl and the boy stand next to me. Their silent conversations, not loud enough for me to hear.

"Good people of Gestalt," I recognise Lord Marshall's voice as it comes booming. "It's with a heavy heart we declare the passing of our Soverign Sun, the Light Of The Emperor, King Bartot Canton, from the House Of Canton, the first of his name," he announced.

I had envisioned and dreaded this moment all the same. I had thought it would hold back all the hurting, but I guess it doesn't work that way.

"We invite you all, to fulfill His Majesty, The Late King Bartot Canton's wishes... As the good people of Gestalt know, that the Kingdom is in need of a King. His Highness, Sir Theodore has pledged is fealty to the House Of Versailles. That makes Sir Lewis Canton, the Duke from House Canton as an heir to throne," I watched as Marshall's tone turned astringent. The two faced snake.

"See. We have a King!" Joel says, and the boy shakes it off.

"But the Great Council has decided that to accomodate the new King to the ways of Gestalt, he must have an heir that can yield The Spear. Unless he agrees to, his rights to the throne would be overruled," Sir Marshall's face lights up.

"It's for the sake of you, O good people of Gestalt that we do this. We want you to live in a world that's safe from dragons," his lips curl into a wicked smile.

The crowd falls silent. My heart clenched. It was alarming how the people knew that the world was about to come to an end. By a fire that no man can stop.

"But what's so wrong about dragons," Joel speaks up and all heads turn. Lord Marshall steps down from his horse. The crowd dispenses as he makes his way to the girl.

"What's wrong about dragons you ask, My Lady?" He looks her in the eye. "The very fact that they hold such great amounts of undeserving power while men toil and burn under the weight of their expectations," his teeth clenched.

I knew right then that José had outdone himself for getting me the disguise. Marshall won't have the gall to say that in my presence now. Not at least to my face. And not at least in front of all these people.

"That's not true. Dragons are creatures of magic and reason, Sir Marshall. They have earned their right from our Lord-"

"Enough! Do you dare speak against the Men Of The Great Council, little lady?" He beseeches her.

"It's not that I am wrong," she bites back. That's really admiring. I turn to take a good look at her face. It's spotless, with settling dark eyes. Her face radiates so brightly as she stands her ground.

"Why don't you let the Men decide if you are, or not! In the name of the King, I warn you to not provoke me. My leniency can't be second to my wrath," Marshall shoots back.

"The lady isn't wrong," I realised it's me who has spoken. And rather out of turn.

"Well then, you ragamuffin," Marshall's face scrunches. "I am going to teach you a lesson first, and let the whole of Gestalt see. Long Live The King," he reached for his sword, and I found myself reaching for mine. Except it wasn't there.

I am in trouble.