The Protest of 1911

The Butcher’s Ride

It was 3 in the morning and The Butcher of Wexford, Mr Henry Oswald, was arriving from Waterford in his cart bringing the freshest of fish and chicken to be sold in the town. As usual, few Highlanders bought the products from him at this time to get the fresh pieces and then the Butcher proceeded to the town. He set up his shop and organized everything whilst waiting for his first customers.

Mr Griffiths, who was a well reputed man in Wexford was a good friend of Henry. He, with his son Arthur, went to see Henry in his shop to discuss about the rising activity of Waterford in the highlands and distressing Rowena the Warrior. A few other townsmen joined them to discuss on the issue.

“Ay Butcher, how was the catch of the day?” asked the Lenin Luxeria, who was the owner of the soup station in the town’s west near farmlands.

“Got excellent cod and stunning salmon entirely fresh,” replied Henry.

 “b****y well-done, Butcher! Come over at evenings for Luxerian World-class soup,” said the Lenin.

“Aye definitely, my brothers will join ya,” said Henry Oswald to Lenin.

“Mr Henry, how do you feel about the situation in Waterford these days?” questioned Mr Griffiths.

“They are being very protective even with the resources and they had cut the time for fishing for outlanders by 1 hour. Oftentimes, I am unsure about getting any fishes and meat. They’ve tightened the security,” stated Henry Oswald.

“I see. If the situation doesn’t lose grip then I must confront them, I will never let any of our people suffer,” responded Mr Griffiths.

A few gigantic monstrous ships arrived in the ports of Waterford, carrying armed troops, resources, and swarms of people. The resources were immediately moved to the palace, and the inhabitants were taken to the blatir house, which is modelled after a forced study. It’s similar to a jail in that it’s used to shape inmates for a better cause and a larger purpose. The town’s operations were similar to those of any other hamlet. The kingdom and its citizens, as well as the stores, enterprises, and the academy. Baldr was the commandant of the chief of the academy in Waterford, where its members were instructed every day in the early morning as was customary. However, the training Is longer and more rigorous on these days. The Alvier and Strogabot, the Baldr’s former allies, also arrived to help him prepare for the mighty purpose.

Baldr was given the task of indoctrinating the new convicts. And this specific academy was created with the intention of moulding the convicts.

Baldr, Alvier, and Strogabot were summoned to the Blatir House for examination by the palace after their training in the academy.

“Hello sire! Here’s the list of new prisoners that were brought this morning,” stated janitor of blatir house.

“Alright good, Let’s inspect them and start the molding process accordingly,” responded Baldr.

With a cheeky smirk, Alvier and Strogabot followed them, as though new fish were always fun to play with.

On the other hand, in Wexford during late evening, the family of Mr Griffiths went to Rowena but she wasn’t there.

“Dad let’s go  back, it’s getting late and we mustn’t stay lone in the outskirts of town,” said Arthur.

“Fear not, son. For I am here for you and we are in the land of Edgar, we shall be safe,” replied father.

And they waited there in that mystical aloof highland which seemed quiet but with growing birds sound from beyond the horizon,  for her to return from the protest. Mr Griffiths had concerns and needed to talk to clear things out for her safety and of the towns.

“Dad, I see someone with the signs approaching us,” said Arthur.

“Here she comes, be gentle with her,” replied Mrs Griffiths to Mr Griffiths.

“What are y’all doing here at this time of the dusk? It’s not safe. Retreat now,” uttered Rowena, her cold voice made the family flinch but she remained stoic. Then, she walked past through them and headed to her house.

“We just came here to warn you about the possible danger to you and the town. The activities have been intense in Waterford now and you must be extra careful and not confront them,” explained Mr Griffiths.

“I am a greater threat to them than they are to me, thus I am unafraid of their techniques and have the courage to confront and destroy them. Now you must return to the town since the black sun's curse could break at any moment, so hurry back,” Rowena spoke scornfully with enclosed fist by raising her brows high and narrowing her mouth giving her a bigger appearance.  

Mrs Griffiths grabs her husband’s hand and the two dreadfully return to cart for town.

“Did you see her eyes glowing with anger and mystery as she said that about that curse?” asked Mrs Griffiths.

“She knows something about the coming danger and we must be alert and avoid any encounter with Waterford until this Black sun’s curse mystery is solved,” replied Mr Griffiths.

The following evening, Lenin was feeding the farmers who worked in surrounding farms.  Since Mr Griffiths announced that no one should work or gather outside after sunset, these farmers were returning early.

Mr Griffiths and Henry were seen from the distance by Lenin as they were heading towards his shop. With red bag of Henry and hat of Mr Griffiths. Lenin’s shop was very small with a giant stockpot to prepare soup in woodfire and grill station on the adjacent side of the shop. Whatever farmers used to buy the soup, they used to sit beside and behind the shop as there were big boulders aiding them with comfort. 

“Welcome sire, welcome to the Luxerian world-class soup station,” said Lenin to Mr Griffiths on their arrival to his soup cart.

He accepted the welcome with a smile.

“One classic for me pal to my destiny,” told Henry Oswald to Lenin.

“Here’s your classic Butcher to your destiny,” replied Lenin with a bowl full of soup with extra ale.

“Pack one extra soup for me, actually not for me,” insisted Henry Oswald.

“Okay sure, if it’s not for you then for whom?” inquired Lenin.

“Aha, it’s for a traveller from Waterford. He just arrived this early morning today with me and he told me to leave him by the Valley. I thought to buy him a soup, since he seemed tired and penniless,” explained Oswald.

By raising his brows and pointing a finger at him Mr Griffiths asked.

“Mr Oswald, you’re saying you gave a ride to a young lad from Waterford to Wexford at early morning and left him in the valley without anyone seeing?”

“That’s right, Craig,” replied Oswald by freeing his folded hands.

“What have you done, Butcher? If they find out, they are going to kill you and everybody will be in danger once again,” said Lenin and turned off their faces.

“You didn’t do justice to the people of Wexford, Henry. That lad can turn on us and their guards can call for attack. On top of that, we are unknown to the Curse of the Black Sun,” uttered Mr Griffiths.

Mr Oswald is stunned on hearing about black sun from Mr Griffiths; it had widened his eyes with a jaw drop and rested shoulders which lowered a bit by this reveal.