Chapter [14]

"Extra! Extra! Read all about it!" A young boy chimed, alluring people to buy his newspapers. I wasn't interested in getting one in particular, but Josephine was ecstatic to gain more knowledge. "Oh- could we get one? Perhaps there is news about the other villages!" She beamed, I agreed- giving her a shilling. "Hi! May I have a-" The boy blushed, handing it to her quickly? "Of course! Have a nice day!" He blushed, "Thank you- and you too!" She smiled.

We began to walk again as I noticed a red face on Josephine. She read some pages- "That boy sure has a good eye-" I grinned- poking her nose. "Hush!" She muttered- flipping to another article. "Oh-"

"What?"

"You should see for yourself." She handed it to me. "Local newcomer to the village speaks against the King- preaching that King Beaumont's ways are sin!" I read. "It says this preacher speaks every day at noon towards the town square." She pointed to a part of the paragraph.

"Shall we attend?" I smirked as she nodded, "Let's."

We arrived around the corner of town square, seeing a man standing on a crate with people surrounding him. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sure many of you can agree that you have been without food for days- months even! And when did it all start?" The preacher barked in question. "10 years ago! When King Marcel passed away, and Beaumont took over!" Someone screamed from the crowd. The man's back faced us, but I wasn't entirely sure what to think.

"He seems serious." Josephine pointed to the preacher, "I would assume so since no one is very fond of Beaumont." I affirmed, but Josephine gave a light smile. "Except you." I narrowed my eyes at her. "What do you mean?" She looked away, brows low in a soothing manner.

"You are not a rude man- you care- especially for your friends." I sighed at her, "How did you find out?" "Hosuh, I may be a child, but I am not blind to you and Beau's friendship. I just do not understand why you lie about it to everyone?" She glanced at me- hoping for an answer of some kind, but I didn't muster up anything.

"Are you ashamed of him?"

My eyes widened, "I-" "WE DESERVE EQUAL RIGHTS! ALL OF US! BIG AND SMALL! RICH AND POOR! WHO IS WITH ME!" The preacher screeched- cutting me off. I took this moment to turn my attention to him, laying against a shop wall- crossing my arms. The preacher screamed more, riling up the crowd.

I struggled to stay positive, but this situation was distressing, and even Josephine recognized it. "He won over the people. Is that bad?" Josephine was a bit anxious. "It feels a little uneasy, yes."

The preach was over, and the man jumped off the crate to speak to folks. I decided to see if I could get a few words with him- pushing through people and arriving behind him. His hair was burgundy, what a familiar color… where have I seen those locks? He turned, revealing tan skin and those black eyes.

"H-Harold Forbes?"

He looked intrigued, "Hello Hosuh, happy to see you again." Harold put his hand out for me to shake- I lightly hesitated but grabbed it out of courtesy. "I thought you left…" I muttered, feeling caught off guard, but he only seemed to laugh. "After you rejected me as a guard- I got angry but stayed for a few days and noticed issues. As you can see- I represent the people." He kept a broad smile the entire time. "I realized much." He noticed Josephine- bent down and patted her head.

I gripped his wrist instinctively, "Something wrong, Commander Hosuh?" His voice sounded fake, and the reason behind it was because people were staring- one wrong word, and I could be a goner. Wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have Josephine to protect… I gulped.

"Please...do not touch her without permission," I said, letting go. He checked his wrist, narrowed his eyes, and then faked a smile again.

"Heh, of course. I apologize. Have a great evening to the both of you."

"Come in!" Screamed Beau as I entered, a bit troubled. "Hosuh- you know I love to see you, but it is the dead of night. You need to rest." He smiled, shaking his head tiredly and writing once more.

"I have some fascinating news for you-"

"I'm sure it can wait till morrow-" "Beau, this is extremely important. I'm sure you need to know." I insisted as he sighed, "Okay, speak." "One of the rejected guards had stayed in Cunningham, babbling nonsense all over, and everyone seems to agree. It wasn't good." "Do you side with this man?" He asked curiously. "No, but-"

"Then I am not worried." He continued to write in ignorance. "Beau-" "It will be taken care of- rest easy, Hosuh." he got out of his seat, pushing me out of the room. "Have a goodnight, be careful." I began to walk, but in worry, Beau will do something- something foolish.

\Word Count\: 854 (Story-wise)

|Dictonary|

Courtesy:

Excellence of manners or social conduct; polite behavior.

A courteous, respectful, or considerate act or expression.

Distress:

Great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering