LEV'S FLYING FEET
How long has it been, Lev wondered as he sped ahead, since I've felt so alive? So happy?
But once he reached the square, he skittered to a stop, shocked by what confronted him. An immense crowd had come to the festival. He had assumed the majority of Hyasans shared his father's and Yudi's opinion of the new governor—but apparently not. Rather than stay home, most of D'Win's Hyasans had come to the Tolian festival. Indeed, their broad smiles and boisterous voices suggested they were enjoying the rare treat.
And why not? From the looks of things, the festival had been a lavish one. A variety of booths ringed the square's perimeter. Some had held food and drink. Others had held games of chance. And still others had held storytellers, puppeteers, dancers, and musicians.
No longer, though. The merchants and performers were preoccupied with putting away their wares and preparing their booths for travel. Meanwhile, the festival goers had compressed towards the middle of the square. Most of them faced away from Lev, toward a towering platform that had been raised along the square's southern side. Red, black, and gold curtains, the Tolian colors, hung from the platform's top rail and swooped to the ground. Two squadrons of Elite guards stood in front of the platform, and other guards occupied strategic positions around the square.
But to Lev's surprise, the balconies that surrounded the square were all empty except for groups of pigeons clustered along the stone railings. The surrounding buildings, with their darkened windows and closed doors, reminded him of skulls, which sent a shiver up his neck. Why weren't people watching from the premium vantage points the balconies provided?
Lev bit his lip, suddenly uncertain. A sense of dread filled him, displacing the unabated joy he'd felt seconds ago while running to the square. He shouldn't have come here. And if he merged with the governor's audience, he might be recognized by a bakery customer who could report back to Lev's father.
So, instead of joining the crowd, Lev stepped to the side of a food stall awash with the scent of burnt onions just as Nish reached the square. His head swiveled around, apparently looking for Lev.
"Nish," Lev called. "Over here."
Nish laughed and hurried over. "Why are you hiding in the shadows?" he said, grabbing Lev by the sleeve and taking a step toward the crowd. "Come on. Let's get closer so we can see and hear better."
"No," Lev said, pulling free of Nish's grip.
Nish tilted his head, confused. "No?"
"Come on, Nish, think about it, would you? Please? Against my best judgment, we're here. So, if at all possible, I don't want our fathers to know we came."
Nish hung his head and nodded. "Okay. But I wish we'd come earlier," he said, staring at the empty booths. "Looks like it would have been a lot of fun."
Lev smirked. "Yeah. I guess. This new governor seems nothing like the monster my father thinks he is. But—"
Horns blared, interrupting Lev. The mass of people buzzed with excitement as they pushed forward. Nish looked back at Lev and leaned toward the crowd, clearly hoping to get closer to the elevated platform.
Lev shook his head. "Stay here, Nish."
Nish sighed and slunk to Lev's side as an imposing man emerged from a shadow-filled doorway on the far side of the square. He paused for a moment as a petite woman dressed in long black robes stepped outside and joined him. She extended her index finger, beckoning for the man to lean closer. Nodding, he bent an ear to her so she could whisper to him. Moments later, she stepped back, reached behind her flowing black robes, and pulled a pointed hood over her head. The sharp movement launched a shimmering blue object from her shoulder—a colorful, pigeon-sized bird, unlike any Lev had ever seen. The woman tilted her head back and watched the bird's flight until it passed over the building and out of view. Then she slipped inside again while the man strut confidently toward the platform.
Lev sucked in a deep breath. Governor Totoro and his witch had finally made their appearances.
As Totoro climbed onto the distant platform, the differences between him and his predecessor were obvious ... and concerning. Heavyset, bald Cloaca had always worn ankle-length white robes, which covered his girth like a cloth draped over a large watermelon. The only thing that had distinguished him as a man who should command respect had been the golden ringlet of laurel leaves he'd worn atop his head. A sort of crown that announced his position as the province's governor.
Totoro, on the other hand, was dressed in full military attire—black tunic, gold chest plate, and red cape of the Elite Guard. As he ascended the stairs, legs the size of tree trunks propelled each step. When he stopped behind the podium at the platform's front edge, his torso and shoulders seemed as broad as a door. And when he raised his hands to quiet the crowd, he revealed arms that were knotted with muscles. Lev swallowed, intimidated by the new governor's imposing physique and stature. Unlike Cloaca, Totoro had no need for a crown to announce his authority and power. Nor did he wear one. Instead, a military helmet covered his head. A helmet adorned with a plume—the color reserved for generals in the Tolian Elite Guard.
Surprised, Lev pulled Nish close and whispered, "Totoro's no lazy politician, Nish. He's a warrior, a general in the Elite Guard. The Tolians have sent one of their best to rule Hyasa."
Nish blinked and bit his lip. "That's not a good thing, huh?"
Lev rubbed the back of his neck. Maybe their fathers had been right all along. He glanced behind him at the street they'd taken to reach the square, hoping to sneak away. But there would be no escaping that way. Not anymore. Four Tolian guards now blocked the path out of the square. Apparently, Totoro wasn't willing to let his audience leave until they'd listened to his speech.
"Friends ... and residents of D'Win!" a gruff voice boomed from the far side of the square, snapping Lev's attention back in that direction. Governor Totoro's arms were still spread wide, and he had paused his speech. Finally, after the crowd acknowledged his gesture by falling quiet, Totoro lowered his arms and began speaking again.
"First, let me say, I am thrilled to be here in this beautiful city, renowned through the empire for its intriguing architecture and stunning colors. Truly, your defenses are as impenetrable as legend proclaims. Only the unparalleled Tolian army had the resources to sustain its years' long siege on D'Win, otherwise Hyasa would surely still stand as an independent nation."
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Someone in the crowd shouted, "Hyasa forever!" The shout was received with a mixture of hesitant cheers and dissenting grumbles.
But Totoro said nothing about the comment. He merely waited until the noise faded on its own before he continued. "Let it be known that we do not come here to be hostile overlords of your city and nation. We come here in the spirit of cooperation and growth. This has always been the Tolian way. Hyasa brings the Empire a land filled with resources—mines loaded with precious gems and metals, the world's sweetest pomegranates, and the fabled healing waters of Lake Apakay. And this grand city, D'Win itself, provides the Empire with a strategic location on the trail of spices. We are most appreciative of everything Hyasa provides the Empire. So, in turn, we will bring your city the prestige of being part of the greatest Empire the world has ever known. We will bring you a more civilized life enhanced by advanced technology and spread news of D'Win's charms throughout the Empire. Travelers from every corner of the world will soon stream into this fair city and bring new wealth to all who live here."
This time, Totoro's comments were met with only cheers. Lev, though, balled his hands into fists. His eyes pinched into a glare as he chewed on something Totoro had said. ? Tell that to the Elongols. Or the griffins, for that matter. Clearly, Totoro was lying. Why, then, were so many Hyasans agreeing with this man?
As the cheers faded, Totoro spread his arms again. "Surely, then, the time has come to put aside the issues that have divided us in the past. Has it not? The time has come for Hyasans to accept their defeat and embrace the endless opportunities the Empire offers. Have you not enjoyed the festival I have provided you today? Can you not envision a future in which we work together and celebrate together as we have done here today?"
More cheers, noticeably louder cheers, echoed across the square. Lev shook his head. His father would be livid.
"It seems you agree," Totoro said, nodding. "How things , though, isn't always how they are. Perhaps you think me a foolish man, easily swayed by your simpering adoration. If so, then are the fools. Despite your cheers, despite your willingness to eat my food and enjoy my hospitality, I know the truth. That many of you still harbor hatred for me and the Empire in your hearts. That some of you still see us as your enemy rather than your benefactor. The previous governor tried reasoning with you. Gave you freedoms that you hadn't yet earned. And how did you repay him? How did you repay the magnificent Tolian Empire?"
Again, Totoro paused. When he did, the square turned deathly silent, sensing the shift in his speech's tone. Scowling, Totoro shook his fist and raised his voice. "By destroying mines! By disrupting supply lines! By ambushing and murdering foreign dignitaries traveling here for leisure and trade that would benefit us all! By doing everything in your power to keep D'Win in poverty and despair. I have given you a holiday and a festival. Even though you ... you have acted like petulant children who need firmer discipline!"
Without thinking, Lev took a step backward. Meanwhile, a few groans escaped from the crowd. People started shifting their feet nervously. And above them, Totoro laughed. "No worries, . I will gladly comply. Captain Sicarius!"
A sudden staccato of feet stomping on stairs echoed throughout the square. Lev's eyes stretched wide, and his stomach cramped as a familiar member of the Elite Guard joined Totoro on the stage. The captain with the scarred face that had almost run Lev over earlier that day.
"Sir!" Sicarius yelled as he joined Totoro on the platform.
Totoro lowered his voice, twisting it into a threatening snarl. "Let my children know how I plan to enforce our Tolian laws."
"Sir! Yes, sir!" Sicarius said. Then he swung his gaze around the square. "Soldiers! Take up your positions!"
With a rustle of robes and rattle of armor, an entire company of lancers stepped out of the shadows along the perimeter of the square with their long weapons lowered and bristling toward the crowd.
Heads swiveled as the governor's audience digested its situation. Worried murmurs rose from the Hyasans. Already grouped closely, they somehow squeezed together even tighter. Then Sicarius raised his hands and pointed over the governor's audience. "Archers!" he cried. "Take your positions!"
Above and around Lev, doors creaked open. The roosting pigeons thundered into the sky, and Tolian archers streamed onto the balconies. They nocked arrows to their bows and aimed down at the trapped people below.
Terrified cries burst from the Hyasan crowd. Several people splintered off from the group and tried to escape. But they didn't go far—quickly struck down by guards on the ground or arrows from above. Witnessing this, the crowd moaned collectively, contracted even more, and seemed to shiver as one gelatinous mass.
The governor nodded his head. "Yes, my children," he said. "Good, good. I see you are ready to learn. So, let me take this opportunity to establish some new laws. Rather simple laws. One. Any Hyasan found on the streets after sundown will be executed, no matter the cause. Two. Any travel outside of D'Win's walls must be approved and occur during daylight hours. Three. Any Hyasans returning to the gates after sundown will be breaking curfew, identified as threats, and immediately struck down. Four. Food and water will be rationed. You will only receive what you need. No more. Excess is for cooperative children, not ungracious urchins like you. And finally, five. Any person suspected of rebellious activity will be executed—as well as member of the rebel's family."
A forlorn wail of someone crying punctuated the governor's declaration of martial law. Someone else shouted, "No!"
Totoro nodded. "Yes, yes. And let me assure you, I pride myself on being a man of his word. To that end, let me demonstrate how intent I am on enforcing these new laws. Captain! Show these ingrates how we maintain order in the magnificent and all-powerful Tolian Empire!"
Sicarius nodded. "Yes, sir!" He pointed to the squadrons of Elite Guards stationed in front of the platform and yelled, "Take position!"
The guards shuffled in front of the platform until they formed five straight lines. In unison, they bent down, picked up ropes from the ground, and hoisted them over their shoulders.
Sicarius yelled again. "Bring them forth!"
The guards leaned forward and strained against their taut ropes. Slowly the curtains hanging beneath the governor's platform were pushed aside by the bulky objects that the ropes dragged along the ground. The crowd obscured whatever parted the curtains from Lev's view, but a horrible sense of dread crumpled his stomach into a tight ball. Once the objects cleared the platform, the guards paused and turned to face their captain.
Sicarius nodded and shot his hands over his head. "Raise them up!"
Soldiers from each line scurried back, repositioned the ropes, and rejoined their comrades. Then the guards heaved again, causing their burdens to slowly rise, sparking shouts of anger and wails of grief from those watching.
Lev leaned forward in anticipation, trying in vain to see around the crowd. Trying to discern what the guards were revealing. Until it was excruciatingly obvious—when five crucifixes snapped into standing positions. Lev's eyes shot wide open, and he gagged as he processed what he saw. The first four crosses held familiar figures. Lev's father, mother, sister, and brother dangled listlessly from the wooden beams. His father's tunic had been torn off, and several deep gashes stained his torso with blood.
The last crucifix, the fifth one, was empty.
A chill gripped Lev's entire body. The world seemed to shift beneath him, but he couldn't move with it. A deep drone filled his ears. His legs began to wobble, and his vision blurred. Without meaning to, he let his fishing pole drop from his hand.
Somewhere far away, Totoro yelled gleefully over the pained reaction of his audience. "Behold the Empire's justice! Behold justice! Look how Arto Datevar, your supposed master swordsman, paid for his subversive activities. Behold the leader of your rebellion! But no longer! See how his beautiful family has also paid the price for his betrayal. Look at how they suffered! All that remains is to decorate one last crucifix with his eldest son. Surely, he's known to some of you, as well? Levon Datevar? He, too, must pay for his father's crimes. Whoever brings him to me shall receive forty silver pieces. But be warned. If you fail to do so, if he is not delivered to me by week's end, my laws will become even more stringent!"
And there you have it. The inciting incident that really gets this story off and running. Lev's life is suddenly filled with horrible, gut-wrenching strife. The stakes have been raised—
Welcome to the tumultuous world of A GRIFFIN'S CHOICE! If you have a moment, I'd love to learn what you think about the story thus far by leaving me a comment below. And if you are enjoying the story, please consider voting for it and adding it to your library.
Thanks again for reading!
Best wishes,
WCM
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