Chapter [16]

Days have passed since I've last checked on Harold's preaches, my post has frequently been on the outskirts of town, but I caught word that the mob is getting a little out of control down there. I even had to send some of my guards to stop it from getting out of hand. It was said to have been started by a little girl.

  I was glad to hear when my shift was transferred to town square; I stepped close to the crowd- it was somewhat a mix of rage and confusion towards Harold. Some of his fans were now foes, and those in the middle no longer knew what to believe. I dismissed some of Harold's sermon since it wasn't crucial, and shortly my gaze noticed Liam- I shifted over and stood by him. "Hello, Commander. Nice seein' you." He bobbed. Liam is the one who was stationed here most often. "How's the public?"

  "Haven't had to stop a tussle- so I'd say decent." I nodded, acknowledging the preach again till I heard him speak once more. "Ya know, Commander. I wondered what your intake is in this whole situation?"

  My eyes narrowed, "How come?"

  He peered at me and provided a smile, "Beyond all the guards- you are the most devoted to King Beaumont. I don't know why and occasionally, I reckon you are manic to do so, but it isn't my business, yea? But if this were goin' in the long run- would you proceed to support King Beaumont or Harold Forbes?" He told, curiously but I felt relatively uncertain about his question.

  "Who would you prefer, Liam?" He grinned, shaking his head. "Avoiding, aren't you?" He cackled, "But very well, I'll talk. My morals are unusual from yours- wealth is my intention, but that doesn't imply that I don't care for the townspeople. I would pick Harold, but I would stick with Beaumont if fortune were the case." He said with no shame. "Now you, Commander." I maintained a stern face, staring away. Usually, I would have an opinion, but I was wordless for once.

  "YOU SHOULD RUN FOR KING!"

  Liam and I instantly stared at one another. Our eyes met, and we had the same thought. This is dangerous. Our sights faced Harold again when he laughed, revealing the biggest smile on his face.

  "You know... I SHALL! I CHALLENGE KING BEAUMONT TO BE THE NEW LORD OF CUNNINGHAM KINGDOM BY VOTES OF THE PEOPLE!" He clapped, "We will have a democracy!"

  Democracy? The term was familiar, but I didn't have a moment to discover the definition due to the assembly, which began to be a bit outrageous.

  "What a turn of events," Liam mumbled, giving a meddlesome smile. "Mhm..." I managed as he noticed me.

  "I also admire that you let Josephine come-"

  I was quiet for some time. I was angry, unhinged, but great of all-fearful. "Is she here now?" I asked as he agreed, pointing behind several citizens. "Hurry and fetch the guards- I can feel a storm incoming," I announced as he nodded, running off.

  As I said- people started to fight.

  Many cheering, others attacking guards, various others attempting to harm me, but I shoved them, not wanting to hurt them but possibly did since I was focused on Josephine.

  She started to shuffle away, but I caught up, grabbing her. "Ah!" she was startled when I swiveled her to face me. "H-Hosuh-"

  I almost yelled, almost became like... I shook my head, nudging the thought, and regained my composure. "What... are you doing here." "I um..." She looked teary-eyed as I recognized how firm my grip was. I let go and took a step back. I didn't want to frighten her or press her further if she wasn't comfortable.

  She took a breath and crossed her arms nervously. "You said I could come..." "With me. You could come with me or someone else but not by yourself; this place isn't for a child. You could have gotten hurt-" The expression she held made me gulp. "You said your training was late." she nodded, "I did not lie- they were late... I just hadn't mentioned that I went to see Harold," she explained as I sighed.

  "Why did you come?"

  "I was scared that something terrible was going to happen, so I went to keep myself sure that it was fine," she said- lightly smiling. "I thought I did good and may have stopped Harold, but I just made an even bigger mess..." I took a breath, piecing it all together.

  "You were the little girl who told Harold how incompetent he is," I asked, fully aware of the answer.

  "I'm sorry..." She nodded. "I know I made things worse- I just wanted to help." She began to cry, I wasn't sure of what to say, so I plucked her up and shoved her into me.

  "Huh-"

  "You did good, you made a mistake, but you couldn't have known. I appreciate that you at least tried." I said, "Thank you..." she wrapped her arms around my neck, tightening the embrace.

  We stood that way for a few minutes till I was uncomfortable with the affection- "That's enough." I patted her back, signaling for her to let me go.

  She did, and I put her down. "Only clues I discovered were that Bell usually goes to the preaches by herself or when no guards are around and-" She pulled out some letters from the pockets of her brown shorts. "She and Harold are friends." My eyes widened a bit, grasping the letters. I lightly read the first one- it was just about taxes he had to pay, but the second was different- "Continuing to disrespect King Beaumont will cause you problems. I do not wish to hurt you, friend. Please stay diligent."

   I glanced at Josephine as she nodded, "Nothing suspicious, but I'm still uncertain of her." she admitted. "I'll keep that in mind," I said as we seemed done.

  My knuckles banged against the wooden door, I hadn't noticed the designs before, but it was carved in flowers that gave a sense of joy- "Come in," An irritated voice said from inside the room, and I let that disturb my thoughts, walking in.

  I soon saw the blackness under Beau's eyes, his forced smile, if it were not for the help of his hand- his head would not be up straight.

  His body slouched against the desk so his weight would be still.

  "H-hello, Hosuh..." Usually, his voice would be cheerful and bothersome even, but he just sounded sleepy and frail. "Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" I attempted to joke, but he just nodded.

    I took a seat, concerned. "I wouldn't have such a hard time dreaming if I had you here with me." The smile he gave was sincere, but it was still drained. "Perhaps if you have a room for Josephine- I'll consider moving back here." I humored him, but his gaze did sparkle now. "I'll keep that in mind-" He noted, "But what brings you by?" I recalled why I was here, and I admit I was troubled. "Ah, yes. Harold Forbes has challenged you to a debate of votes- ballot by choice of the people to see who becomes the next lord. You can accept it, but I highly suggest you shouldn't-" I was going to continue, but I noticed Beau's eyes shut with his head wobbling.

  "Believe me, I adore your voice and even your opinions on why I shouldn't be ludicrous with this matter, but I'm on the verge of slipping-" He disclosed, but I couldn't help but comply.

  I could justify why he shouldn't, but if he doesn't have a stable mind- I would just be wasting a breath.

  His head began to collapse, and I swiftly grabbed him before he thumped his head on the desk.

  He was mainly in a slumber by now, and I lightly pulled him up into my arms and carried him to his chambers. I laid him down and wrapped the covers over him. "Goodnight, friend." I stared at him for a few moments, having an urge. Ultimately enough, I chose to pat his head.

\Word Count\: 1,370 (Story-Wise)

|Dictionary|

  Outskirts:

    (sometimes singular) outlying or bordering areas, districts, etc, as of a city

  Sermon:

1.    a discourse for the purpose of religious instruction or exhortation, especially one based on a text of Scripture and delivered by a member of the clergy as part of a religious service.

2.    any serious speech, discourse, or exhortation, especially on a moral issue.

3.    a long, tedious speech.

  Diligent:

1.    constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything:

2.    done or pursued with persevering attention; painstaking