Light of the Unexpected Adventure

Chapter 2 Event Time

Gabriella's POV

After many times of hearing the bell being rung incessantly, we groan out in unison, hearing the ringing chiming through the streets around us. All of us are not wanting to come to the call, but knowing we have to if we don't want to get punished one way or another. We drag our feet but are still headed there, just knowing it's going to be a long day for all of us after that shorter than normal break. Once we are in the presence of the hut we imagine as our prison, we stomp back up the steps headed into the large hut just to see one of the Mothers at the front door. Which is unusual unless something special is happening. I watch as she is instructing all of us of where to go as we make our way in. Directing us as if it is a castle and won't know where to go. But it's a confined small area, I think we will be just fine figuring out where to go and meet.

"Meet in the main room off to the side and wait for the rest of us to join.. ya hear me?" Mother Lisa asks in a demanding tone, showing this is not a question but a straight demand that will get us in trouble if we don't follow. "Yes, Mother Lisa." We state in a monotone that shows that we were listening even though we obviously don't want to. We follow one right after the other into the main area where the children sit and play. We don't have much room for sitting since that area is filled with the children on the floors already.

So we just decide to stand, with our backs against the wall as we wait for whatever reason she needs for us to be there. This doesn't happen that often, but often enough for us to know something interesting and needs our attention is happening within the village.. Which will probably involve the castle and the King that took over and started running it. This happened many years ago, but is talked about to this day. We never had a castle before his family and army showed up. They built it along with the wall in a quick amount of time, or at least that's what I have been told. Which is astonishing to imagine, since I would think that a project that big being put up in a short amount of time is impossible. But it was done, and done well, since nothing has been able to penetrate this wall except the one large tree that is stronger than the thick mud, rocks, and brick that were stacked all around it. Nothing was able to stop its growth, and this tree alone gives me inspiration to continue growing no matter what tries to hold me down.

Ever since the building of the village's boundaries and its protection, the royal family completely took over, then gave this town to one of their children, as if it were their present to give. He has been ruling us ever since, and it seems that no one cares that these people came in and took over because, as they say, they were saving us. But even after the King's parents left him here to go back to their castle, he was still left in charge, along with the couple of siblings he has that are ruling the other places surrounding us. Which is something I can't seem to comprehend.

I understand they have a ton of money, mostly seen by the layers of gold a jewels in their clothing, but they are left here in this strange place to them, just to make sure to watch over us, as if he was forced to be our parent. What I don't understand is why rule us as if we are obligated or even wanted to work for him, when he just forced most, if not all? Why not live alongside us as equals to help and show us the way of life that he has preached about? But no, that won't happen.. like I said I never understood the rules of royalty and what makes them different or better than us besides money and a name, but apparently their family has been ruling these lands for many centuries and will go as long as they can spreading like a plague, taking over what they can and when they can.

I huff out to myself as I glance outside to see if I can see anything at the center of the village. All that can be seen are crowds of people gathering, but I can't see why. I continue to stare out at the large castle. It overlooks our entire village of people, looming over us like a dark cloud. Yes, it is helping keep everything running properly around this town and I understand that. It's helping by providing protection, it brings in most of the money and so it rules as we provide the food, drinks and workers.

I imagine that it's a simple deal, and enough to keep all of us going for many years now and to hopefully many more to come. Which, I am sure, no one will object to, except for me, who has a distaste in my mouth every time I think about royalty. I just can't wrap my head around this deal and how it came to be. I feel as if royalties are the enemies, wolves in sheep clothing, but that stems from the fact that they don't know what it is like to live like us, and yet they come in out of nowhere, taking over and dictating what we can or cannot do and how we do it.

I don't know how his family is when it comes to the little people. I only know what experiences I have had when it comes to King Theodin himself. But from what I have seen and experienced for myself, things have never seemed like they are positive and bright when it comes to him, who is now running the castle and by extension, this village. From what I have observed, the King is mad all the time, blaring his thoughts on everyone about what we should or shouldn't be doing, whether they want to hear it or not.

I have a theory though. I think that his anger might be stemmed from the fact that he has always been alone, and has been the entire time, but since his family has been around for centuries, expected to rule for many years to come, I am assuming they expect the King to do the same. He has started that role, but since he has taken no wife and has no children, that idea will come to an end if he doesn't get that started.

I'm sure he knows this too, and has probably been told this time and time again. So, I think because of that, there has always been a darkness that clouds over him and extending to the entire city. We also know that because of the crutch the royal family has made itself on our village, we won't last the many years we want, if we don't have someone to help not only lead the way, but provide the money and protection that we need to survive. That will only happen if he finds that wife to call Queen as she pops out heirs to rule after they are gone. Let's just hope that happens sometime soon. For the villages sake, no matter how much I disagree with it. Because I can't deny the effect it has had on the city.

"Alright, we will be heading to the town's square. There will be an announcement about what you should not do against the crown and royals.. And then a beheading that will follow to show why.. So let's head on over, since we now have everyone." Mother Lisa instructs as I groan out, hating this time of the month but slowly moving with the children towards the door but making sure I am one of the last in line, just to hopefully ditch out so I won't have to see this, just before anyone notices I am leaving.. A beheading happens every month or so, but I have never liked it or appreciated it for as long as I have had to participate by watching it happen, which has been since the young birth year of 6.. for myself, at least. "Hurry it up, stop dragging your feet, Gabriella." Mother Ann, the head mother, snaps at me from behind, I never even knew she was there, but she knows how much I hate this time of the month too.

Mother Lisa leads the way as we follow in a single file line, out of the house and towards the main area where they hold these barbaric shows. For whatever reason, a lot of the people love it, as if that is the only source of amusement around here, while I have lists of anything else I would rather be doing besides this. I cross my arms across my chest as I get closer to the main area, which is front and center for everyone to see and partake with. I nonchalauntly scoot off to the side trying to get away so I didn't have to see it. That is before my arm is grabbed quite aggressively before I am pulled back in by Mother Ann.

"Where do you think you're going?" she demands of me, spatting this question in my face as I shake my head, trying to stay nonchalant about things, even though my heart is pounding out of my chest at this interaction. " I am trying to get a.. meat leg.. to really enjoy this.. properly." I say to her, trying to calm my breathing so she hopefully doesn't see straight through me. "Ok, hurry back. I would hate to have to lash you for not partaking, just like the last time." She states this in a tone that tells me she wouldn't hate it as much as she is saying in this demand. So I vigorously nod, making sure she knows I am listening to her. "Of course Mother Ann, I don't know why I wouldn't." I declare as she slowly lets go of my arm before I turned to walk away.

I can feel her eyes on the back of my head as I walk straight towards the meat line. I stand in line behind the many people as I casually glance back to see that she is finally looking away and has her eyes locked on the stage. I stay in line for just a little bit, letting people go in front of me, so I am no closer to the front of the line as when I started. I keep looking back occasionally, noticing that she is not looking at me anymore, just distracted by the people beside her that are talking to her while she keeps looking ahead. I leave the line and sneak away as I go between the two little huts that are mostly just for selling food and drinks during these events.

I lean against the wall as I hear the people grunting and hooting at the person they have brought out for this brutal punishment. I put my hands on each side of my head, trying to block the view of the sights, but this action is not completely working. I can still see the stage in my peripherals. I turn around making sure I am faced away from the beheading. I walk backwards, keeping my hand blinders up until I feel my back hitting a cold wall behind me.

I'm leaning my back against the side of the hut, and luckily keeping my eyes away from any of the horrendous things that might be in my future sights. I'm not wanting any part of this.. I don't even want to hear the name of the person losing their life, or what idiotic decision they made to be in this place. It's just best for my sanity and sleep that I do need, to stay out of sight and not know one detail about the person, so hopefully there won't be nightmares to come for the foreseeable future.

I let out a deep breath, trying to calm my heart that is trying to break free from the cage of my ribs. "You don't participate?" I hear this question in a deep, soothing rumble that startles me as soon as the words grace my ears. My hands whipped down from my face and to my sides as I looked up quickly and noticed the words came from a tall guard for the castle.

I never expected there to be anyone but me here. I was so distracted with Mother Ann and the beheading that I never saw this stranger that I seemed to be backed into a corner with. He uses one shoulder for stability in this stance as he is leaning against the wall directly across from me with his eyes on the crowd, even though I am pretty sure he was talking to me. His eyes never come back to me in this moment as I let out another breath, trying to calm my wavering breath before I send out any type of response.

I worriedly looked over at Mother Ann, seeing she was still distracted from me. So I look back to the castle guard as his back straightens while he continues to look out at the crowd of people. My eyes quickly go over what details I can see at this angle, trying to understand exactly why he is over here, let alone talking to me. Will I be in trouble for talking with him? I am weary when it comes to any men, but more so for the guards, mostly because they always think they are better than anyone else around, since they can get away with almost anything. It's terrifying.

He doesn't look threatening or even aggressive, which is good. He is standing tall and steady, which at least shows me that he is not drunk, which is another plus. He is wearing the shield of the royal family in metal across the leather on his chest, with his hand on the handle of the sword, that is still placed within its sheath, but ready to be brought out at a moment's notice if needed. I don't know how I didn't notice something like him, so big and close to me, especially when it is shiny and covered in this much armor, looking just like a statue, but I somehow didn't.