Chapter V

Flo finally managed to find Ron at a corner street alley that was filled with food stalls. There they bought some kebab before making their way towards the city square where the festival was going to be held.

It was a spectacular sight. Right in the middle of the city square a huge stage was erected. Thousands of people had already gathered around it. Soldiers were stationed around the stage to maintain the order of the huge crowd. “It is still an hour before the festival but look at the crowd,” Ron told Flo, pointing at the masses. “See, even more people is arriving.” They managed to get to the front part of the crowd, abide much squeezing and pushing.

Flo looked up into the sky. It was a cloudy day, the clouds shielding them from the searing rays of the afternoon sun. Cool breezes were sweeping across the town square. Everybody was looking happy and waiting in excitement to the start of the festival. Heaven’s blessings, he thought.

After an hour, Minister Duane came up to the stage. He was a stout and plump man, easily recognized by everyone with his trademark messy unkempt hair. He is the one in charge of the running of all the festivals and events in Durante.

“The arrival of the King Hammond!” Minister Duane shouted, as the royal minstrels started playing grand music to welcome the arrival of the king. Everyone bowed in the direction of the inner castle gates as King Hammond appeared, with Prince Marius and Sosimo the Master of the Home Guard at each of his sides. A dozen Home guards followed behind them.

The king walked in a relaxed mood, taking his time, towards an elevated sheltered platform that was built facing the stage. The platform had two comfortable-looking teak chairs and a table filled with delicious fruits and cocktails. Servants were already positioned on the platform, ready to serve the king.

When the King Hammond was on the platform he waved his hand signaling the masses to rise, before sitting down on one of the chairs. Prince Marius then sat down on the other chair. Sosimo came to stand beside the king, while the dozen guards placed themselves in two rows at both ends of the steps leading up to the platform.

The music stopped as Minister Duane proceeded to give a speech about the origins and the significance of the Festival of Autumn. “Oh enough with the talk and bring us the dancers!” Ron whined. Flo ignored his friend’s ranting and ate his kebab.

***

And so the opening of the Festival of Autumn started. Dancers in emerald-green appeared on the stage as the enthusiastic crowd whistled and cheered on. Finally a dancer in fiery-red appeared and took her place at the front of the stage. Princess Adelaide. The Flower Girl. Her appearance was met with even louder response.

Ron was one of those cheering the loudest. “Wow! Just look at them! Are not they beautiful, Flo?” Ron exclaimed. Flo just smiled and carried eating his kebab. But in his heart he was indeed dazzled by the princess’ beauty.

The dancers began to perform their dance, as the minstrels starting to play their melodious music again. Moving in unison as if they are of one mind, the dancers danced around the stage in smooth flowing movements, like graceful confident swans. It was as if a group of angels had descended on Durante to give a glimpse of how life was up in the heavens.

Princess Adelaide was exceptional, dancing professionally even though it was her first and only time as the Flower Girl. There were no flaws to be found. The crowd, noisy and cheering initially, began to quiet down as they were dazzled by the performance, rendering them speechless. King Hammond, Prince Marius and Master Sosimo were all visibly enjoying the show.

Flo was enjoying the show too. It was not a bad idea to attend the festival after all, he thought. Looking at Adelaide, he thought back about the way he had treated her all this while. She is very beautiful and has a nice personality, he thought. He knew he had treated her badly however he could not find a reason for doing so.

His thoughts were broken as someone moved next to him. He turned to look. It was the cloaked figure that he had bumped into earlier. He tried to take a look at his face, but his features were covered by the hood of his cloak. The figure did not seem to be bothered that Flo was putting his focus on him as he stared straight ahead at the stage, where the performance was still undergoing.

Suddenly the cloaked figure started to move towards the stage, shoving the people that were in his path, causing a commotion among the crowd. Two of the soldiers stationed at the foot of the stage went over to confront the figure.

Without hesitation the figure brandished a long, wicked-looking black blade. With one swipe of his blade the two soldiers were torn apart and flung away like rag dolls.

Chaos followed thereafter, the festival came to an abrupt end. Joy turned to terror as the crowd scattered in all directions, trying to get away from the killer, who by then had managed to get up to the stage. Most of the soldiers stationed were unable to reach him, obstructed by the escaping crowd. Those that did manage to reach him were easily dispatched by him.

The Home guards surrounded the king immediately, forming a protective circle.

“Protect the princess instead!” King Hammond ordered the guards, his voice wavering in panic. Sosimo and the prince along with some of the guards tried to head for the murderer but the roving mass of people between the stage and platform made it almost difficult for them to manoeuvre across.

“God damned!” Marius cursed.

By this time the performance had stopped as the terrified dancers were all trying to get off the stage to stay as far away from the figure. Yet Princess Adelaide stood at the middle of the stage, seemingly in shock. What has happened, she thought. She looked at the figure – he was heading towards her direction, the bloodied blade in hand. She looked at the crumpled bodies of the soldiers that fell before him. She wanted to escape but her feet stood rooted to the stage. It was as if the figure has casted a spell on her, rendering her the lost of the control of her legs. Second by second she could only stare at the approaching figure as tears started flowing down her cheeks.

The figure stopped in front of Princess Adelaide and without hesitation brought his blade down on her.

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