I eventually arrived in front of the statue of Cornelius. Witnessing a proudly standing, burly man invigorating the marble. Around the town square, a wooden stage had been set up around the statue. Surrounding that, market stalls of various products lay on display. People roamed about, inspecting and wandering the markets. It was a lively atmosphere, invigorated with interpretable chatter.

  Passing through the market, I found myself gravitating to the scent of delicacies. Eventually, I pass by a building overflowing with a comforting atmosphere. Scents of stew were met with tables emulating joyful chatter as the townsfolk were immersed in their worlds. Glancing around, the only spot available was at the barside. Making myself comfortable, a barmaid approached. In a rather jarring voice,

  “Ya must be new around here. I’m Glynda. Whaddya want”

  I glanced up from the barside, and a rough, rather large barmaid forcing a smile greeted my eyes.

  “Whaddya got?”

  She leans on the table and starts listing foods,

  “We’ve got Cornbread, Creamed corn in chicken broth, beef stew. I personally recommend Cornbread. It’s a must have with beef stew!”

  "I'll take the Cornbread and beef stew please"

  I sat there salivating at the aromas in the air. Suddenly, a rambling mess of a drunkard slammed his drinks on the table. His clothes were rough and dull, and his face was covered with a scrunchy gray beard. His obnoxious mumbling drowned from the chatter in the air. My face was soured by the outlier in the Tavern. Without realizing it, the barmaid arrived with my food. Placing the food on the table, I hear her sigh.

  “You’ve got to keep your eyes to yourself.”

  I turn my attention towards her, noticeably confused.

  “That man. Poor soul. Went to war, came back drinking his sorrows away. Been here drink’in way too much. Don’t know what made ’im like that. Honestly…”

  After wiping a few glasses clean, Glynda rushes to the other side of the bar. I sat in front of cubes of Cornbread and a bowl of beef stew. Picking up the spoon, the fragrant aroma of the savory stew intensified with each stir. Placing the first spoonful, The savory and delectable flavors reminded me of home. I puff out after swallowing the first bite, anxious for more. Soaking the Cornbread with the stew, a mild sweetness of the bread heightened the stew’s complex flavors. I patted my stomach in satisfaction. Soon, Glynda arrives to retrieve my dishes.

  “You look like you enjoyed your meal.”

  Glynda expresses a warm, motherly smile. Requesting 2 copper for the meal. Getting 8 copper back from a silver, I head out of the Tavern. In the town square, I overheard a few mentions about the ceremony amongst the chatter. Soon, we gathered in anticipation of the start of the ceremony.

  Wheels clattered on the cobblestone as the clomping of horses prances along the road. A trumpet echoed in the wind as people started to clear a path. Reid Cornelius exited the Carriage in a well adorned uniform. His stature towered over the audience as he marched alongside lightly armored guards. Flags were quickly pulled up as Reid walked up the stage. After a few lingering seconds of silence, The orange flags danced in the wind, and a melancholic melody started playing. Reid, shaking his head, started his speech,

  “Fellow citizens, through trials and tribulations, we stand here today to remember our fallen…”

  Reid’s face stiffened, his eyes gazing through at the wind as he touched his heart.

  “The unfortunate and the ones who couldn’t make it to see the Sun. We mourn and remember the names of the fallen through the whispering winds…”

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  The wind started to whisper non-coherent words amongst the audience.

  “We stand, embracing the world that carries their will. In the midst of these times, remember the will of the founders of this city…”

  The wind started spinning around the crowd, and the non-coherent words seemed coherent. Names and words echo, and regret carried into the wind as Reid begins to list the names of the fallen.

  “Quintin, Commander of the 5th brigade

  Vars, Strategist who achieved 7 crucial victories.

  Advick, Head medic of the 5th brigade.

  Edward, sorcerer of the 5th brigade.

  and many others…”

  Emotions stirred in the public as the people stood valiantly, holding back the tears in their eyes. An obnoxious cry echoed in the audience. The scent of alcohol spirited in the air. Reid’s head hung low in mournful silence. With a sudden jolt, he snaps back towards the crowd.

  “Stand proud of this city that gives us safety. We shall never forget the heroism they’ve left behind. Do not falter against the wind, as many others have. Do not ever forget their passing…”

  Uneven footsteps echoed along the shifting crowd. A figure dressed in dull, patchy clothing stumbled amongst the crowd. A foul alcoholic stench trailed along the way…

  The music came to a stop, and the wind began to settle.

  “A moment of silence, please.”

  Reid announced as the crowd obliged. A figure was heard climbing on stage. His boots creaked against his weight. Everyone watched as he started shouting profanities in the air. Gazing at Reid, the figure's face was as red as a tomato.

  “How dare you! You… killed off my comrades and sent them to hell. How dare you mourn …”

  The guards rushed to drag him off. However, they were too late. The Drunkard Slammed his fist on Reid’s face. The weight of the swing snapped at the air. Regaining his balance, Reid stood composed as another swing struck Reid’s chest, delivering no noticeable impact.

  “F*ck this!”

  He shouts as the guards pin the Drunkard to the ground. Reid glared in revulsion as the Drunkard stiffened. It was as if the wind carried killing intent. The crowd froze in fear as pressure built on their shoulders. Gasping for air, I held myself on my knees. A few people started collapsing as the weight became too much to bear. The wooden stage began to whine.

  “Calm down sir. We’ll deal with it.”

  A guard said to Reid’s murderous eyes. After a few painstaking seconds, the tension vanished as Reid turned to the crowd. A forceful smile plastered over his face. The guards dragged the Drunkard away as Reid opened his arms to the audience.

  “Sorry for the interruption. It seems an unexpected guest wanted to show themselves. Moving on …”

  Reid continued his speech, his eyes glinted with a hint of disgust. The rest of the ceremony felt odd. Silence lingered as Reid finished the ceremony. Relaxing his face, he calmly walked off stage. The crowd started stirring, hastily flocking away. I stood in the center of the once-crowded plaza, slightly nauseous by the shifting mass. Catching my breath, I head towards the marketplace.

  Noises of bargaining and bantering stabbed at my head as I rested on a stray wooden barrel. Flocks of people passed as I stared blankly at the hardened dirt. Occasionally, my daydream got interrupted as I started nodding off…

  The sky started to turn orange when I saw the same 2 guards casually chatting past where I rested. Red-stained gauntlets and a faint smell of blood whiffed around the two. Curious, I paced away from the guards. Glancing around the alleys, I found myself outside the marketplace when I saw a shaded lump huddled against a crate. Blood smeared on the floor as the lump groaned. Shivering, a glint of bloodshot eyes glared towards me. Suddenly, the man started to panic, quickly kneeling before me.

  “Please… enough is enough…”

  Sniffing, tears started to drip on the ground. I stood, confused. An injured Pleading man wept and begged. Clutching my satchel, I sighed.

  “I’m not here to hurt you”

  Hastily lifting his head up, A familiar face covered in blood and tears. The Drunkard, wide-eyed and bloodied, held his gaze over me. I reached into my pocket and felt a sharp poke, reminding me of the Emblem. Showing it to him I ask

  “Do you know of this Emblem?”

  Nodding his head in a panic, The Drunkard’s scuffled face relaxed as he slumped on a crate.

  sigh* “What do the watchers want with me?”

  The Drunkard furrowed his eyebrow and glanced up at my face. He starts rubbing his forehead. Darting his head back and forth, he mumbled some incohesive words, and stood up to leave.

  “It’s get’n late. Meet me at the ol’ bar. Tomorrow, we can discuss all ya want about that stuff”

  Holding his side, he started limping away. I glanced up, the sky held a reddish-orange as darkness slowly creeped up upon the sky. Fiddling some coins, I paced myself to an inn.