“What kind of squeal was that?”


    Some of us asked.


    “A girl?”


    “Impossible, I thought all girls have their own only girls clan.”


    “With those moves, no way.”


    “My mum is a solider, it could be.”


    “But we have no girl recruitment agreement.”


    They murmured.


    I quickly sheathed my sword to my belt and looked after her because it''s clear as day that this person blowing her burning fingers is a she.


    “One, two, three.”


    Then, an explosion smoke filled the entire store with in a second when those non child voice counted.


    “What the heck is this!?”


    “Ambush! The Bulls farts for ambush!”


    “What!”


    “Attack! For our warren!”


    A thunder of steps filled the now black smoked room and those whose weapon are still intact fought on where in the heat of the moment the window crashed open.


    “Run! Someone broke a window.”


    “The guards, I mean seekers are coming!”


    “The Rabbits did it!”


    “No, the Bulls did it!”


    The smoke didn''t last long that it made the two clans; bull and rabbit to scramble off the backdoor, window, or whatever opening they could find, and with good reasons. When I tried to chase the two figures that broke the window and carried the girl. I saw some guard picking up some children who couldn''t escape the place in time.


    “You there, red caped one, halt!”


    I recognized that gruff, rough and engaging voice that I scurried in a freight. I could still see the kidnappers though, and there was two of them running while carrying the girl.


    Here and there, with cat like paws and fast as a gazelle, they breeze through the bewildered townies while I enjoyed an unpleasant speed and have to use one eye to dodge citizen to citizen while the other keeping track of the kidnappers.


    Until they turned to an alley way. Drifting my legs to that corner my whole face felt crack of pain. The hint of mud and blood was in my mouth and stars began to hover around me as I felt that sharp sting aftermath of a kick. I saw the kidnapper cringe her teeth as she looked at me with worry.


    “Oohh... Um... Not my fault that you kept on following us, buddy. Sorry.”


    I would retort but the place turned waves of sea as buildings spun around me. I feel myself being lifted and dragged to a secluded place. After that I saw her jump to a roof where my mind went blank. The stars around my eyes looked like the sparks I saw when I accidentally looked at a wielding spark and each time that star spark grew in size it hurt my head and spun my mind in a dizzy.


    I don''t know when, but once those sparks subsided and the ever loud bell strike woke me up. The evening star greeted me in a blanket of clear dark blue sky with red orange taint on the horizon.


    “Sundown!”


    With a gasp I look around and saw my carved sword on my chest and body cold and alone in this alleyway. Picking myself up the main street was ghost empty say for the few candle inside the houses and stores that was put away by the owners as they locked and, like me, made a hurry to Pavlon Square.


    I''ve got to stop chasing damsels in distress!


    Seeing how the results were always me in the brink of death. Either way, I feel my heart shrink as, even if my wish of having sun down was here, the basket! The basket for May that I left in the bakery!


    Nuns, and first time to see them here, monks from the mill spurned magical bright orbs big as party balloons aloft and lazily go by and by giving light as bright as modern street lights as it round the entire Pavlon Square. The center stage from earlier was gone and replaced with logs, bundles of dry grass and a circular small wall of stones with a huge wooden replica of a dragon nested in the middle.


    When I arrived there was a wall of people forming a line and guards telling the newcomers to where they go. The adults were to fall in line for food but to my surprise children like me was told to go a clear path that lead to the center of the square.


    “Sir, I need to go to baker street first!”


    I cried out.


    “What''s your age?”


    He responded with a raise of his brow.


    “13 sir! Can I please go sir?”


    My impatient tapping feet made my voice high and also impatient.


    “You will go front and center, child.”


    He replied taking my hand.


    “Baker street! I need to go to baker street!”


    For my precious basket was still in Mrs. Lauren''s bakery.


    “All the bakers closed shop lad, patrols will brand you thief if they see you there on such a hour” he said. Before I could say more they escorted me to the center as it was already beginning.


    Story fair is to begin. The other kids told me when they block my attempt to leave. I don''t even know why almost all of the children of my age was in the center of the crowd in the first place. Girls were on the far left wearing monstrous masks of either zombie pig like designs or anything abhorrent. While we, the boys wore hooded capes with different color and different wooden weapons on our palms.


    The space given to us was wide. Much like how were going to perform a play or musical in front of a crowd. I mean all the eyes of the townies were sitting on long benches while many crowded the windows of the tall buildings just to watch us. We were really doing some sort of play and no one gave me the script.


    Serafina, in a beautiful white with blue and white stripes priestess clothes was here. Following soon were nuns and some monks. After which we were group according by our fellow heights and age. Then, we were asked if we have already made peace with our wooden weapons because these ‘toys’ were to be thrown in to the fire. Representing the climb to young adulthood.


    “None shall go back once you have thrown out your childish old ways for a new yet arduous and fulfilling one. Tremble not for we will not shun you if you do not choose to accept. There are multitudes of ways to remove your self of your childhood, these are just ceremonial ways to show that you are ready. Furthermore, I need not but 20 young ones to step up and say thine name.”


    I didn''t understand anything, but when many held their breath, clutched their fist, and trembling as they stood up front to present themselves to the crowd and began shouting their names making them red as apples as they threw their wooden weapons in the pile of wood.


    Some buried their faces in their hood and running towards their parents that either revived a hug or a stern scold as the crowd laughed.


    I was looking for May around the crowd. Since many just retreated from this stage freight I also want to retreat, not for cowardice since I already faced similar crowds back then -- worst are tourists -- I want to know what happened to her.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    “Behold!”


    Serafina suddenly said when she took my shoulder and led me the group, I could run away but, I saw him.


    Coming to our right was the air of nobility that made us and the crowd bow in curtsies. A fur cape of violet came the handsome Lord Magnus Othonatus Vale, as Serafina announced and made me bow then with her.


    Lord Magnus told us, and the crowd, to ease our bowing, with him was his wife Lady Olivia Juliana Claudina Vale dressed in a violet gown and a white smile. Then came their the heir that made me spat out my eyes due disbelief. Edmund! Edmund Othonatus Vale! In a manner I could never see turn in reality but became a reality, he in a poised stature, beard shaven and hair shined and orderly, and walked in a manner of nobility not a solider.


    Anyone who scarcely knew him would be in disbelief that this man is a rough, shouting, and brawl lover man. But the way he''s presented is like he loves roses and ate gentle with silver spoon or fork, with poetry coming out from his mouth everyday. Then finally was the Mayor of Ellena, Master Ronald Varys and then some important rich guild members with their family.


    In the end the eyes of Ellena was looking at four luxurious -- gold riveted, and red cushioned -- chairs placed high on a platform that overlooked Mayor Ronald and some of the guild members that sat on a ordinary chair.


    They were on the stage used by the performers earlier. Meanwhile, the other guild members and their family had a seat and table just down the stage. I guess this tells the ranking by wealth in this city. As the three nobles sat down together in unison. Then did all of the townie sat down. While us kids have to make peace on the pavement.


    All of our attention now faced the priestess and her fellow worshipers, and to my up most surprise Allan, Roland, and Neil was on the middle of us as Serafina told the creation of this world. All the while the place was quietly being filled with hundreds of tables aligned so long it could have reached the end of the square.


    ****


    “Thus, the grandfather of life, along side with his sons and daughters summoned the first hero.”


    With a whisk of her hand the town clapped as a humane figurine born from magic and light stood on the middle and draws a large blade as it faced the carved wooden dragon. Then, with the powers of the monks and nuns they poured magic in to the draconic carve. Eyes mad in red while mouth gnashed in anguish as the wooden wings creaked and it flew. Which gave a resounding applaud, especially on the Lord who seemed like a child watching this spectacle.


    “The hero was...” it was a long list of virtues and we waited like three minuets waiting for her to finish.


    “And above all a paragon for all to follow.”


    “You don''t say!”


    Lord Magnus commented aloud.


    Which many of us laughed.


    “Vale! Behave!”


    Slapped his wife which made us all laugh as Lord Magnus retorted with a ‘yes mother’


    “Thus, the hero traveled far and wide,”


    As if with invisible strings her hands puppeteered the hero light to journey on.


    “Kingdom to fiefdom, farm lands to barren lands, high lands til desolate lands. He faced monsters of old with bold resolve.”


    The nuns, monks, Allan, Roland, and Neil conjured the rocks and logs to create monsters to fight the hero, which he defeats with ease until at last, he met the carved dragon.


    “At last at the peak of Mt Keep lay the haven and its seven peaks. Here upon the golden world he met his olden foe.


    ‘Hero stand by me,’


    out with its serpent tongue.


    ‘Lands of worlds shall have thee.’


    ‘Nay!’


    Answered the hero.


    ‘Peace is better than a piece of world.’


    Whisking him away,


    ‘Hero stand by me,’


    out with his serpent tongue.


    ‘Three goddesses of love for concubine, shall have thee.”


    ‘Nay! For child and my wife shall be with me for eternity.’


    ‘Have at my stomach thee shall then forever stay!’”


    With that dragon charged and the hero dodged. A battle ensued that riled up the crowd, made the Lord standup and watch like a child as the priestess, her followers, and my friends masterfully controlled the fight and the orbs of light.


    Lucky for me to take the front as the fight was really something out of this world. Even if I''ve seen the game cinematics, trailers, and movies this felt more realistic and immersive than what they showed on a gigantic flat screen even if the story is predictable like right now.


    “Drake no more shall fly,


    from the sword of the hero he cried.


    To ensure peace,


    he cut to piece from piece.


    Drake''s bones,


    shall burn forevermore!”


    At that the wooden drake was slain and chopped into pieces, whereas the light hero jumped and slashed into the pile of wood and made a bonfire -- A bonefire.


    That''s what the Serafina said.


    “Hahaha! Amazing!”


    From the golden seat, to wooden seat, to us seating on the pave all stood clap or cheer at this wondrous spectacle.


    “Let the feast commence! ”


    The Lord added in his thunderous applaud that made the crowd cheer. The Mayor Ronald then took command of the fest.


    We were ordered in a line whist the rest waited in their seat for their free meal from the Lord. Among the prominent and alluring things every eyes were on the lookout for was the spit roast chicken, lamb, goat and pig whose skin red and tender and meat dwindled by the second as the chefs, cooks, and nuns were rationing per bowl to the masses. Indeed, with help of some guards, the town was put in order when they thought there wouldn''t be left. But it got replaced immediately by men of the butcher street who hired spits of Inn''s and cooked the stores of meat that the mayor prepared. While next the bakers sliced bread, pie, or cake and gave a small scoop of butter. Next came a the broth of goat or sheep entrails with vegetables, which, I don''t have any spoon or fork and the broth was hot, so I declined that offer like any other kids before me, and finally then a free cup of ale to the adults and cup of water for us young one''s who didn''t complain and asked for ale instead. Meanwhile the nobles and guild members were enjoying a spit roasted fattened chickens, geese, fruits, white bread, large amounts of butter and the monk''s finest brew of beer.


    The feast lasted for an hour and I grew anxious as I keep looking around, after stuffing your mouth with food, you can go for seconds but a third, the final story and dance must be finished before getting a third round and five rounds of large free ale.


    Well, I didn''t go for seconds, in fact I ate only half before going about. Looking for her amongst the laughing and cheery crowd. Then, I realized there was someone who can help me.


    I ran towards the back of the stage where Serafina went with her fellow holiness. Bread, butter and ale they ate in piety and talked and smile a little. Serafina and her circle sat on simple chairs and small table unlike the Lord who ate above the stage with golden chair and lavish food.


    It wasn''t Serafina I was looking for though. I thought they weren''t here until Neil shouted out my real name. Everyone was looking at me as Neil proclaimed it three times aloud. They waved and showed me their own slice of yummy paradise near Serafina as they called my name.


    “I mean, his name is Elfien in this world, my apologizes.”


    Said Neil as he hung his around my back and introduced me to everyone on the religious table with such a joyous and alcoholic air.


    “Whoah, this is new.”


    I whispered under my nose. A drunk Neil, how about that.


    “You look good in that outfit, did May tailored that for you, my dear?”


    Asked Serafina as she scooted and offered a seat, which I respectfully declined since...


    “Have you seen May?”


    She didn''t return when Lord Magnus got here, in fact there seemed to be no, or few, security here when Lord Magnus is said to be a important figure head.


    “Well, that''s why were here!”


    Said Allan while pointing at Neil and Roland then the rest of the nuns and monks.


    “But where is she? Did she already eat? Why didn''t she come here?”


    “Easy now, I''m sure she''s fine, settle down first.”


    Said Roland massaging my back with a smile and seating me down.


    “I''m sure the innkeeper is fine,”


    Reassured Serafina,


    “I promise you, May will come when we finish the Romance of the second hero.”


    “Besides, let her be, she''s not your real mother any way. ”


    Said Neil, chugging down another mug.


    “Neil!”


    Barked Roland and Allan.


    “What? Come on, ask him, he''s not going to stay here be spoiled by a copycat mother, he''s going to know what happened to his real mother after he died. Right?”


    He nudged me and it hurts.


    “Goddammit Neil stop it!”


    Roland slammed his fist on the table.


    “N-No... H-he''s right.”


    I m-mean... Neil is right.


    Is it alright for me to have this fun with them, have a life, and be taken care of with a look a like, and act a like, mother while my real... Mother... Died in sorrows.


    “I was just worried, I mean... S-since she looked like mom. Yeah, I think I on-only got worried because... B-because..”


    It was a mix of wanting to let it go and stopping it. It wasn''t even helping that Serafina was telling me if I''m ok as she rubbed my back.


    “Y-Yeah. Yeah. I''m fine! I''m fine...”


    Shrugging off her kindness. I wiped clean my face and composed my self a bit.


    “Look, I just want to know if she''s ok. Just as Neil said she is not my mother, I just feel indebted to her, that''s all. Nothing more, nothing less.”


    I felt my entire chest cry out in pain as I said that and Serafina rubbed my back.


    “See, told you guys.”


    He then dodged a hit from Roland.


    “Come here!”


    Some of the monks stood up going to Roland and Neil the nuns began chastising the two.


    “Guys!”


    Me and Allan said in unison and stood up immediately to stop, but our body was paralyzed by a certain force.


    “Young ones, I wish no more violence. We are about to start.”


    With a gesture of her finger we began to move on out on our own.