Ananiel

I eventually arrived in front of the statue of Cornelius. Witnessing a proudly standing, burly man invigorating the marble. As if Cornelius’s pride was ingrained within the sculpture. Around the town square, a wooden stage had been set up around the statue. Surrounding that, market stalls of various products lay on display. People roamed about, inspecting and wandering the markets. A lively atmosphere hung as the chatter invigorated the street market.

Passing through the market, I found myself gravitating to the scent of delicacies. Eventually, I pass by a building overflowing with a comforting atmosphere. Scents of stew were met with tables emulating joyful chatter as the townsfolk were immersed in their worlds. Glancing around, the only spot available was at the barside. Making myself comfortable, a barmaid approached. In a rather jarring voice,

“Ya must be new around here. I’m Glynda. Whaddya want”

I glanced up from the barside, and a rough, rather large barmaid forcing a smile greeted my eyes. I respond,

“Whaddya got?”

“Well! We’ve got food!”

I blurted out a chuckle as she stood proudly. After I respond,

“But really, what would you recommend?”

Relaxing her smile, she starts listing some food,

“We’ve got Cornbread, Creamed corn in chicken broth, beef stew, and a couple more but I recommend the Cornbread. It’s a must have with beef stew. Also we got ale, beer, and Corn Milk.”

Thinking briefly, I requested Cornbread, beef stew, and corn milk.

I sat there salivating at the aromas in the air. Lost to the atmosphere, I found my daydreaming interrupted by a rowdy, rambling mess of a drunkard slamming his drinks rudely. His clothes were rough and dull, and his face was flustered and covered with a scrunchy gray beard. His obnoxious mumbling drowned from the chatter in the air. My face was soured by the drunk outlier in the Tavern. Without realizing it, the barmaid arrived with my food and noticed my gaze on this fellow. Placing the food on the table, I hear her sigh.

“You’ve got to keep your eyes to yourself.”

I turn my attention towards her, noticeably confused.

“That man. Poor soul. Went to war, came back drinking his sorrows away. Been here everyday, drink’in way too much, mumbles and shouts. Don’t know what made ’im like that but he’s too drunk to get anything out of ’im.”

After wiping a few glasses clean, Glynda rushes to the other side of the bar. I sat in front of cubes of Cornbread and a big bowl of beef stew. Besides that, a glass of corn milk. Picking up the spoon, the fragrant aroma of the savory stew intensified as I carefully blew. Shifting the aromatic steam that danced against each movement and breath. Placing the spoon to my mouth, I first felt the savory and delectable stew overwhelming me with flavors that reminded me of home. I puffed after swallowing the first bite, anxious for more. Soaking the Cornbread with the stew, I found myself in bliss as the mild sweetness of the bread heightened the stew’s complex flavors. Enthusiastically scarfing down the food, I patted my stomach in satisfaction. Almost forgetting the Corn milk, I relaxed and smiled after the hearty meal. Old feelings of a forgotten past hung as the beef stew lingered on my palate. Taking a sip from the corn milk, a refreshing, subtly sweet, starchy liquid cleanses my palate. The Savory beef stew became a distant memory as I finished the corn milk. After some time, Glynda arrives to retrieve my dishes.

“You look like you enjoyed your meal.”

Glynda expresses a warm, motherly smile. Requesting and receiving 2 copper for the meal. After a few minutes, I noticed people flocking out of the Tavern. Heading out with them, I overheard a few mentions about the ceremony amongst the chatter. Arriving around the decorative wooden stage. We stand in anticipation of the start of the ceremony.

Wheels clattered on the cobblestone as the clomping of horses prances along the road. A trumpet echoed in the wind as people started to clear a path. Ried Cornelius exited the Carriage in a rather fine military uniform. His stature towered over the audience as he marched alongside 2 lightly armored guards. His stern face and cold eyes glared at the podium. Flags were quickly pulled up as Reid stiffly walked up the stage. Turned to face the audience, ready to begin the ceremony. His toughened stature was unwavering in the autumn air. After a few lingering seconds of silence, The orange flags danced in the wind, and a melancholic tone started playing. Reid, shaking his head, started his speech,

“Fellow citizens, through trials and tribulations, we stand here today to remember our fallen…”

Reid’s face stiffened, his eyes gazing through a howling wind as he touched his heart.

“The unfortunate and the ones who couldn’t make it to see the Sun. We mourn and remember the names of the fallen through the whispering winds…”

The wind started to whisper as non-coherent words fluttered amongst the audience.

“We stand, embracing the world that carries their will. Never shall we forget and we shall remember dearly in our hearts…”

The wind started spinning around the crowd, and the non-coherent words seemed coherent. Names and words echo, and regret carried into the wind as Reid begins to list the names of the fallen. Emotions stirred in the public as the people stood valiantly, holding back the tears in their eyes. A loud, sorrowful, cry echoed in the audience. The scent of faint alcohol wisped in the air. Continuing, Reid’s head hung low as the air stood still. Snapping back to the crowd.

“Embrace the gift of life. Be proud of the city that gives us safety. We shall never forget our struggles and strive for a better tomorrow. To make Cornelius into the image set by our founders. Do not overlook the wind. Do not be ignorant of their passing…”

Uneven footsteps echoed along the cobblestone. A figure dressed in dull, yet familiar clothing stumbled amongst the crowd. A foul alcoholic stench trailed along the way…

The music started to stop, and the wind began to settle. Reid announced a moment of silence. The figure was heard climbing on stage. His boots creaked against his weight. Everyone watched as he started shouting profanities in the air.

Gazing at Reid, his eyes bloodshot and his face as red as a tomato.

“How dare you! You… killed off my comrades and sent them to hell. How dare you mourn …”

The guards rushed to drag him off. However, they were too late. The Drunkard Slammed his fist on Reid’s face. The weight of the swing shocked the crowd. Regaining his balance, Reid stood composed as another swing struck Reid’s body, delivering no noticeable impact. The guards caught hold of the Drunkard as he struggled to break free. Reid glared in revulsion as the Drunkard stiffened. An indescribable pressure of intimidation filled the atmosphere. The weight of the wind pressed down on the surrounding area as if the air thickened with disdain and disgust. The crowd froze in fear as the once compassionate Reid vanished instantly. Gasping for air, I held myself on my knees. A few people started collapsing as the weight of the atmosphere became too much to bear. The wooden stage began to crack as Reid stood unmoving. After a few painstaking seconds, The tension and disgust vanished from Reid’s face as he turned to the crowd. A forceful smile plastered over his face. The guards dragged the Drunkard away as Reid opened his arms to the audience.

“Sorry for the interruption. It seems an unexpected guest wanted to show themselves. Moving on …”

Reid continued his speech, his eyes glinted with a hint of disgust. The rest of the ceremony felt odd. Silence lingered as Reid finished the ceremony. Relaxing his face, he calmly walked off stage. The crowd started stirring, hastily flocking away. I stood in the center of the once-crowded plaza, slightly nauseous by the shifting mass. Stumbling around the town square, I wandered towards the marketplace. Noises of bargaining and bantering worsened my headache as I rested on a stray wooden barrel. Flocks of people passed as I stared blankly at the hardened dirt. Occasionally, my daydream got interrupted as I shifted from the uncomfortable barrel…

The sky started to turn orange when I saw the same 2 guards casually chatting past where I rested. Red-stained gauntlets and a faint smell of blood whiffed around the two. Curious, I paced away from the guards. Glancing around the alleys, I found myself outside the marketplace when I saw a shaded lump huddled against a crate. Blood smeared on the floor as the lump groaned. Shivering, a glint of bloodshot eyes glared towards me. Suddenly, the man started to panic, quickly kneeling before me.

“Please… enough is enough…”

Sniffing, tears started to drip on the ground. I stood, confused. An injured Pleading man wept and begged. Clutching my satchel, I sighed.

“I’m not here to hurt you”

Hastily lifting his head up, A familiar face covered in blood and tears. The Drunkard, wide-eyed and bloodied, held his gaze over me. I reached into my pocket and felt a sharp poke, reminding me of the Emblem. Showing it to him I ask

“Do you know of this Emblem?”

Nodding his head in a panic, The Drunkard’s scuffled face relaxed as he slumped on a crate.

“sigh* How does someone like you have that?”

The Drunkard furrowed his eyebrow and glanced up at my face. He starts rubbing his forehead. Darting his head back and forth, he mumbled some incohesive words, and stood up to leave.

“It’s get’n late. Meet me at the ol’ bar. Tomorrow, we can discuss all ya want about That stuff”

Holding his side, he started limping away. I glanced up, the sky held a reddish-orange as darkness slowly creeped up upon the sky. Fiddling some coins, I paced myself to an inn.