66 - The Gathering

The village she lived close to had a plaza. The plaza was large, with a fountain in the middle. Buildings of sandstone and red clay bricks roofing surrounded the area. It was largely used for festivals. Every first day of the week transformed it into a huge marketplace.

Today, it was used for the gathering. When they got there, a crowd had already formed. A stage had been constructed on the side with guards patrolling the area. Poppy held each twins' hand tightly, making sure she didn't lose them. Annie led the way, making sure enough room was given.

They stopped close enough to the stage to see guards positioned around. Their uniforms were gray with green stripes. Long skinny swords hung on their right hips. Ollie tugged at her dress and pointed at them.

"Do you know what those swords are called?"

Annie shook her head. She doesn't remember the name or if they even had one. Ollie smiled proudly.

"Those are called epochs!"

Maddy elbowed him. "It's not epochs. It's estoc."

Ollie covered his mouth. "Oops, sorry! Estoc! One of my friend's father works as a guard. Their fighting is different from what you taught, Annie. It's more thrust!" He mimicked thrusting with a few steps.

Annie smiled and ruffled his hair. "You think it's better than ours?"

He shooked his head in denial. "No way! Ours is the best way!" He beamed at her. She pulled him into a side hug. When she opened her mouth to reply back, trumpets blared. Looking towards the stage, a robust man dressed in high fashion waddled on the stage.

His white blond hair wafted in the air, or what was left of it. He had a bushy beard and bushy eyebrows over small brown eyes. His cheeks were red and he looked disoriented. Annie knew he was a noble. He raised his hands and the crowd hushed, waiting to know what he will say.

"I am Lord Knielson, the one who rules this land. Many of you are here today to hear about the accident that happened last winter. Many of you want closure. Well... I am here to deliver this news. As you all know, the fire that broke out at the factory... down by the docks." He gestured.

"This fire was an accident that happened. Unknowingly. We do not know the cause of this fire. Unfortunately, we lost many lives of workers." He took out a handkerchief and wiped his brow nervously. "We have tried to dig up the remains and belongings of these hard workers. No bodies were able to be recovered."

"Instead," he continued, turning to gesture to the line of soldiers. "We will give each family who lost someone in this tragic accident a bag of the pay that they should have received when they worked for us. You will also receive a ribbon to use for your funeral rites and burials."

The line of soldiers moved to the side to reveal long tables. There were women in gray dresses with white smocks by the table. The tables were filled with baskets of ribbons and small bags. Some of the people shouted and cried with displeasure. The bags of money were too small to compensate for the loss of a loved one.