Vow Of Silence

CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX

1st PERSON: Pelomina Lorenzo-Capiz

The town was decorated in no time, and I might have gone a little too far trying to help out. I was moving around like I was part of a circus, I’ve spent more time suspended in midair than I did on the ground, they loved me for doing so much power but honestly; it didn't take much effort, it’s not like I had to carry a sack of stolen good while scaling buildings.

They fed me with any chance they could. I snacked lightly because I don't want my food coming down the more I climb up, safety measures, and in a short time, I didn’t even notice it but the plaza was done. Floral bouquet arrangements were found in every corner, and the royal blue garments from earlier were attached to the buildings surrounding the plaza and gathered at the spire of the fountain at the center.

Also, the spot for the floral centerpiece made it look like I was walking in a fairy kingdom. All I saw from everywhere were flowers and cheer. It felt so dainty while being so vigorous. Once it was established that the decorations were done, they were intent on finishing early, but it wasn’t a chore for everyone, so we did achieve the final look, with time to spare.

I don't know why they had to finish it at a certain time, but perhaps it is better to establish the decoration for the festivals first and continue with the festivities once everything was set.

“You did a good job, dear!” the elder woman would yell as they passed by, carrying ingredients for an imminent feast.

“Aye, you should drop by our street and have your fill there!” another elderly woman offered with a wide smile, beckoning me over but I politely shook my head,

‘I can’t possibly stick around for the feats…’ Unless, maybe the feats would start early, personally eating a lot after doing some work feels the best—No! Think about Klaus and Seth. I can’t just have the time of my life here while they… having the time of their life there….

No! Maybe they've already noticed that I was gone. I need to regroup with them immediately after seeing who I came here for. I need to focus from here on out. With that in mind, I rolled my shoulders and shifted on my feet, trying to find my center again to avoid getting sidetracked. I need to ask around more if there was any news, better yet assurance, that Lykus would drop by the city.

And just before I approached a group of elder townspeople who looked like they had their life put together and had news about Temog, two of the things I don’t possess, I was stopped in my tracks by a loud horn. It was ominous, like a call for cavalry. It sounded like multiple horns blown at the same time. And at the echo of its reverbing cry, it silenced everything else. Naturally, I panicked. Sounds like that trigger a sense of fear for people like me, or at least the classification of people I identified with.

Being a crook, for one.

The other townsfolk, however, didn’t have this sort of reaction, they were frozen in their spots, yes, but not with fear, but with utter shock, simply flabbergasted at their spots as they all looked in the same direction and form beside me, I heard a hushed whisper,

“It’s him… it’s lord Lykus,”

I whipped my head in that direction, feeling the thundering steps, and leading that ominous parade was Lykus, riding atop of Lily who seems to grow bigger than the last time I saw her.

‘Crap–’

I made subtitles steps back, moving along with the crowd who did the same, making enough space for Lykus and his army to pass and reach the center of the plaza, he was wearing armor this time, not just his usual bearskin cape, he looked vastly different from back then, he also looked like the put on some bulk, why is he bigger than he already is?! What is he trying to fight?

‘And why does he have a beard!?’

I could overlook anything, but I cannot believe that he has a beard. I didn’t expect him to have any interest in having one. He looked great with a clean-shaven face. What’s bugging me more is how he still looked good. He looked even better having it. Curse men with naturally good looks. Sure it’s short, it doesn't look like he’s trying to grow it, but it looks like he hasn’t shaved for a week or two. He looked more mature, but at the same time, he looked somewhat lethargic. Sullen even.

Still, even with all that in mind, I felt a strain in my jaw, my mouth was open for the whole time and I could feel my cheeks training because I was also smiling, despite that there was a distinct stinging feeling in my chest. I missed him, and I’m happy to see him, more than I ever thought I’d be. Seeing him here now, seeing the difference of being years apart, hit me like an arrow to the chest, it was a different classification of heartbreak by itself.

He looked vastly different… he was more than I’d thought he’d be. He looked… amazing.

His eyes were cold and empty as his entourage followed behind him, the knights were motionless apart from the clacking of metal with every trot of their horses, in full body armor, the sheen from them was blinding but by no mean did they look new, they were riddled in scratches; they were just thoroughly polished.

I could hear the townspeople murmuring as their parade progressed slowly. Along with that, I could feel my nails digging into my palm as I made a tight fist, trying hard to stop myself from moving in front of the crowd for a better view. I could see him well enough from over here anyway… It wouldn’t make a difference. The closer they got, the more I stepped back and hid under my cloak. Lily was starting to look around, which could brew the most frightening scenario to happen, if it weren't for Lykus, who looked like if he and Lily wrestled, he would win.

Behind the army of knights was a carriage. Decorated of white, gold, and blue, oxygen started feeling thick and heavy in my lungs.

‘Hm, now who might that be?’ I groaned, knowing full well who was in that cabin. That wretched, rotten little…. child?

My eyes squinted as I tried to make it out properly, but I wasn’t seeing any traces of Marianne Heilman in that carriage, furthermore, even with its window completely down, all I could see was the protruding forehead of a little person and a headful of silver locks.

‘... IT’S THE KID!’ My breath hitched with a scoff. Would you look at that? I was only planning to see the father. How lucky of me that I get to see his child too! I think I’m done here. I’ve seen enough. Just when his parade reached the center of the plaza, they positioned themselves, and I could almost predict there would be some sort of ritual or speech that was about to happen.

But I’ve already seen enough. I’ve seen more than enough. I did what I could to sneak out, and that I did, on my way away from the gathering in the plaza, I passed by some of the other citizens who were on their way there, few other citizens didn’t look like they were interested in going to the plaza at all, which made good use for my cover. At least I’m not the only one who’s purposely not joining in the festivities. I dropped by the inn I stayed at, making sure I left nothing in that room and I was out.

As I walked to the distance I was starting to hear cheering from the direction of the plaza, which meant maybe Lykus was doing some sort of speech, but I didn't stop, the louder the cheers got the farther I walked until I could drown them out with my ragged breathing. But it still crushed me that I had to hear but couldn’t see, even though I traveled this far for three minutes of his time, I can’t believe I fell in love with him only to realize he isn’t mine, and it will never be okay for him to be mine.

But it’s alright… right? It’s okay. I’m okay. He’s okay.

‘Crap, I really need to go,’ I thought, thinking that bringing the distance between us back to as it was, would hurt less, that maybe knowing I can’t see him unless I had to really put my time and effort into it would make me forget about ever going to see him again. That I would forget about him eventually.

But now, my leaving didn't mean I was running away. This time, I made it my choice... and it felt right.

I looked around. I was more than ready to steal a horse. I’ll just bring it with me until we reached Saligaw, but for now, I need to go to the border, hopefully, I’ll meet Klaus and Seth there, and with some luck and frantic searching I did find a horse, and because most of the people in town have already gathered in the plaza, I took this one with no problem.

I’m not proud of this, but hey it looks like things in Temog are looking at a brighter future. I wish I’d been there to see it, but things are good as they are when I’m far away. I don’t want to make myself go through these emotions again.

“Hyah!” I yelled, flicking the horse’s reins and lightly kicking its hind legs and it ran straight ahead in the direction of Okuzal.

Now, by no means am I transformed into an all-knowing, wise thief with exceptionally keen senses, but once I entered the Okuzal border after a few long minutes, just being close to the area made me wary. When I passed through here through the kindness of the family that I hitched a ride with, I could spot a knight or two even with the everlasting length of this border., you’d see one or two.

That's normal.

What’s not normal is there being none. I could chalk this up to them being called over back to the castle to do the parade, and that would make sense. But I still, for the life of me, couldn't believe Lykus would do such a thing, he wouldn’t just leave this border unattended, not when it’s notoriously known for having any form of malice entering Temog through Okuzal, not leave unscathed.

Something is amiss, and I reeled the horse back so we could slow the pace.

I kept my eyes peeled for any signs of Klaus and Seth, but I soon realized I didn’t have to look for them…

As I found them running straight towards me, chased by the two knights that I thought wouldn’t be making an appearance here.