Kingdom Fallen

Volume 1 Part 4: Rumors

"They must be here for the banquet as well," Ms. Mary said

"Really? You'd think active knights would have more important things to do," Mister Jacob chuckled

"According to the servants in the manor, it is to celebrate the City Lord's youngest child grade in the Esterian Nobility Trail," Ms. Mary said

"Nobility Trail? What's that?" I asked.

"It's a ceremony for the younger generation of nobility across the five kingdoms. All noble children compete to show off their kingdom's talent and future leaders. It happens once every five years" she detailed

"It's a massive circle jerking competition for nobles if you ask me," Mister Jacob said

"It would be if it wasn't so deadly," she said before Mister Jacob gently placed his arm around her shoulder

"Anyway, it's not something you need to worry about," she said

"Though I am surprised that the city lord sent his son at such a young age," She added

"Yeah, isn't he only nine?" Mister Jacob said and Mister nodded in confirmation

"Kids, normally, go around the age of eleven to fifteen," she said

"You said that the kid did well, despite his young age?" Mister Jacob said

"More than that he broke the long-standing record," she elaborated

"Damn, all that at the age of nine. That's one great kid," Mister Jacob said

"Impressive," Mister nodded

That was one of the first times I had heard Mister praise someone. That man had been extremely stingy with his compliments so even this one-word compliment had been more than he had given me for the past year

"Then I can see why the king had sent knights for such a genius," Mister Jacob said

"They are espers from the Purple Eagle Squadron," Mister said

"Espers? They called espers from the frontline?" Mister Jacob said in disbelief

"I guess there might be some basis for those rumors then," Ms. Mary said

"Rumors?" Mister Jacob asked

"Rumors from passing Sultanian and Eldorian merchants are that there are murmurs of peace talks between both, the Valerian and Eldorian camps," Ms. Mary said

"Peace? Is that even possible?" Mister Jacob scoffed

"It is hard to believe that after so long that they'd even think about such a thing," she said

"There's no way that those Valerian bastards would actually commit to a cease fire. With their death before surrender belief, it'd be impossible," Mister Jacob said

"But could you imagine if it did happen? I wonder what a world without this war would even look like," Ms. Mary mused

"I don't know but I know one thing for sure those Sultani bastards wouldn't be happy," Mister Jacob said

"It doesn't matter whether the rumor is true or not, it's not any of our concerns anymore" Mister said and they silently agreed

"Anyway, this banquet is supposed to be quite the event. According to my sources they are planning on making a tribute to the God of Heroes," Ms. Mary said

"God of Heroes? Didn't know we had such an arrogant city lord," Mister Jacob burst into laughter

"So do you guys plan on attending?" Ms. Mary asked, however Mister Jacob's laughter immediately stopped

"No," Mister said in his usual monotone voice.

"Jakey," she said in a soft voice dripping in honey and batted her eyes like a puppy

"Come on Mary, you know what it'd be like if I went," Mister Jacob said looking away to avoid her pleading look

"Come on, I need someone to go with me to fend off those pursuers," she said

"Mary, I wouldn't want to make anyone uncomfortable. It's better I stay in the shop," he said adamantly

"Fine, what about you, cutie?" Ms. Mary asked me

"Huh?" I asked shocked

"Yeah, you want to accompany your Aunty Mary to the banquet," she asked with a smile

To be honest, that was definitely something that I wanted to do. I had imagined that night would have been the most fun.

"He can't," Mister immediately refused on my behalf

"I was asking the kid, V.C," Ms. Mary said

"He's not going," he repeated resolutely

"But why not?" I decided to voice my opinion

"It's too dangerous. The crowd is large, rowdy and will end up drunk. Who knows what would happen if they revealed your eye," he sternly said

"I'll be really careful. I promise I won't let anyone see under the cloth," I pled

"Boy," was all he said and I immediately stopped talking. It was pointless from that point on

"Come on, there's no need to be like that. I'll watch the kid and he can keep those wild pursuers away from me," she playfully said

"I don't think that's something you have to worry about. Your wrinkles will be enough protection for you," Mister said

"What the hell did you just say to me, you fricking bastard!!?!" she yelled

Ms. Mary had gone into a rage attempting to attack Mister, but she was quickly held back by Mister Jacob.

I watched silently for a moment as the three of them went on with their antics before silently making my way out to the shop. I stepped onto the porch of the butcher shop looking out at the streets of Sol

The streets were now very lively, the other kids were out playing, the women were doing their daily chores, city guards were making patrols and the lumberjacks were heading out with their tools in hand.

I watched them everyday for a few moments but could only release sighs of dissatisfaction as I stood from the porch

"Frustrating, isn't it?" I heard Mister Jacob say as he walked up to me

"Huh?" I said not sure what he was talking about

"I saw you look at those kids playing. You do so quite a lot, don't you?" he smiled

"No, I was just outside for some air," I tried to deny it

"There's no need to lie, kid. I get it. It's hard being in a community, but not a part of it. Just look at me, I know," he comforted

"I just wanted to go to the stupid banquet," I sulked

"I heard what happened with the knights in the Wandering Forest," he changed the topic

"Yeah and?"

"I bet you were scared, weren't you?"

"No, I was fine," I said, puffing my chest with false bravado

"He wasn't," Mister Jacob somberly said

"Huh?"

"I know he might seem a bit cold hearted, but V.C worries about you more than anyone else. We all do and we don't know what we would do if someone tried to hurt you," Mister Jacob said

"What does that have to do with my eye?" I sighed

"Az, it's hard to explain. The important thing now is to keep it hidden," Mister Jacob said

"I don't get it, what's the big deal about this stupid eye? Why do I have to hide it?" I fired off the question

"You're a bit too young to be worrying about that. I promise that when you're older we'll all explain everything to you, okay?" he said

"Okay," I nodded knowing there was no sense in arguing

"Good kid, why don't you stay out here a little longer? I'm heading back inside," he said

"Okay," I nodded before he started ruffling my hair before heading back inside. Not long after that Mister came out and looked at me

"Boy, we're leaving," he said before walking away. I took one last look at the other children who were still playing before walking behind Mister.

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Published November 1, 2025