“In ten days! The Festival of Light will begin! Bring everyone!”

The sun hadn’t even risen yet and the criers were already on the move all around the city. They covered the outskirts, the city square and most of all the refugee town.

“In ten days! The Festival of Light will occur! Bring everyone!”

They repeated the same line as they jumped and ran around. The people were as excited as well as seen from the colorful lamps they hung outside their homes. The people were also preparing food for offerings and weapons and clothes to be bathed by the light during the festival. The festival which was held every three years will be bigger and better this year according to the Priests. They say it not only because of the bigger population in Midandria due to the refugees but because the King will also be attending, for the first time. The festival was celebrated by the whole nation and the King was usually in the capital but not this time.

At the Refugee town, groups of people were sleeping on the alleys beside the main road. All the houses have been occupied now and many of the newcomers were forced to live on the streets. Hunger and dissatisfaction was rising. In the city, citizens complained about the foul smell, grime, and filth that came from the town however the increase in squire and knight visibility had kept this fact a taboo.

The sun started rising, an old man carefully walked, not wanting to step on anyone sleeping on the street. He woke up two kids.

“Fina. Sonya wake up,” he whispered while tapping their cheeks.

“Wake up…”

“Wake up…”

The two girls sat down eyes still closed. Their bodies looked weak. Particularly, Sonya who they found walking alone and fainted from exhaustion on their way to Midandria. Fadel pitied the brown-haired girl and brought her along with them. He gave both of them wet clean rags to wipe their faces with and gave them bread.

“Eat it quickly,” he whispered.

“Thank you Lolo Fadel,” Fina said. She nudged Sonya to also say thank you to her grandfather but Sonya didn’t say anything. She was fixated on eating her bread. She never spoke and the two never asked that much. The only thing they knew about her was she has a tattoo on her back. A symbol they haven't seen anywhere. Fadel, immediately thought of the mountain tribes but he wasn’t sure so he thought its better that it was hidden so he asked her to wear an extra small shirt under her big shirt. Maybe when she’s fully nursed back to health, she will speak up about her situation. He was sure that the girl experienced something traumatic so they have to be patient. But aside from pity, she also wanted his grandchild to have a friend.

After eating, the three stood up and walked out of the alleyway. The main road was busy as usual. More refugees are pouring in. A few shanties were being repaired, new shanties were being built. Merchants started to put stalls on designated places around the town. The former empty road outside the city started to look like a real town. A real town with so many issues but one thing had kept it from crumbling, the tower at the center had kept its citizens enthralled with its glowing light and hoping for a better future.

“Where are going Lolo?” Fina asked.

“I found some people willing to take us in.”

“You mean we won’t be sleeping on the streets again?”

“Yes, but we won’t be alone. There will still be a lot of people in whatever room that is but it won’t be as cold as outside and we will be safer from thieves.”

“But I’m fine with sleeping on the streets, Lolo,” Fina said.

“No, we shouldn’t be. The streets are not a safe place now. Even though there are knights and squires here, a lot is happening and they are not able to look out for everyone. I also don’t want the two of you walking or playing away. Do you understand?” he said.

“I got it. Do you understand Sonya?”

The girl only responded with a small nod.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

The three walked to the southern part of the town. A lot more people were there. Difference colors and faces. They passed several people in chains and metal cages at the center of a circle surrounded by shanties and small shops.

“What happened here lolo?”

“They are being reprimanded, for stealing and other bad activities.”

“Mister knight! This is a misunderstanding!” A woman in glasses was standing beside a cage. A squire and knight was standing beside her.

“My chief is a good man! He saved all of us! He shouldn’t be in a cage! He’s also old and weak!”

“I’m not old and weak! Get out here!” the old bearded man shouted at the woman.

“Ms. Naya, don’t worry he won’t die here. Not following curfew hours is only a fifteen-day jail punishment.”

“You have bigger responsibilities Naya. I was just walking around. Got a little drunk so I forgot about the curfew. I’m actually lucky! Cause now they have to bring me food. I don’t have to work for it. Hahaha!”

“Shut up and keep quiet!” the squire beside them said.

“I promised chief! I’ll get you out of this!”

The three passed the commotion at the center.

“Fadel! Here! Here!” A man was waving on the other side of the street. He also wore tattered and worn clothes just like most of the of the refugees but he has this big smile on his face.

“There he is! Barto! Come! Fina! Sonya!” he said waiving back.

“Good to see you in good health! You have another grandchild?”

“No. We found her on the way here. She was alone so we kind of accompanied her until here. But we couldn’t find her previous companions,” he said.

Barto looked at Sonya who hid behind Fina, “Maybe I can help you with that? Do you have any names?”

“She doesn’t speak. Once she does. I’ll let you know.”

“Okay, don’t worry. We have enough space for you three. Follow me”.

The three followed Barto into an alley passing several people. They walked up the second floor of a wooden building which has two doors. Barto opened the door on the right. The room was empty.

“Woah! It's huge!” Fina said walking to its one and only window, “I can almost see the whole town!”

Barto went in and closed the door, “What do you think Fadel? This room is all yours.”

Fadel walked around, “But why? Why is it so big?”

“Well, the instruments you gave me fetch a lot of money and I know you have more! So, this room will be your temporary house. I already made some arrangements with the squires and knights assigned to this area so no one will bother you here. And then! I will arrange something better, your own house in the outskirts when this refugee thing is over. How about that?”

Fadel nodded his head and looked out the window with Fina, “That’s so nice of you. I do have a few more stashes hidden for emergency situations like this.”

Barto smiled and took out a map. He handed it to Fadel.

“I have another one here,” he said marking an X on the map.

“Ah along the Alguna road? That’s quite far! Are there others closer?”

“No, this is the nearest.”

“Nearest? Okay, no problem. We will retrieve it. I will also asked my maids to bring you sheets and beds.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.” Fadel said.

“Thank you Mr. Barto!” Fina said.

“Thank you as well! See you soon!” Barto said as he went out of the room with a huge smile on his.

“In ten days! The Festival of Light will occur! Bring everyone!”

A crier passed the alleyway and Fina saw the man dress in white pants and shirt shouting out the news.

“In ten days! The Festival of Light will occur! Bring everyone!”

“What’s the Festival of Light Lolo?” Fina said.

“It's a festival based on an old tradition. There is a time every three years when the sun is bigger and brighter. During this time the days are longer and it was said that the light during this time gave us powers. So, the people back then did was they offered their harvest to the gods to make the days longer. They also put out their weapons so the light will grant powers on it,” Fadel said.

“Oh, we should bring out our knives Sonya!” she said.

“Yes, you both should,” he said.

At the Bishop’s Tower, in a wide room adorned by holy relics and scriptures along its walls, the Vicar sat on a wooden chair beside a tall window.

“Are all the evacuations completed?” the Vicar said. An old voice, not the usual gentle voice he used when talking to the people.

A lone knight was kneeling in front of him.

“No, Father,“ the knight answered. “But the last group of refugees will arrive in 8 days. Just in time for the festival.”

The Vicar stood and looked out to the window. In his view, half of Midandria and all of the refugee towns can be seen.

“The numbers will be important. Make everything count.”

“Of course, Father. Everyone that entered the town will never be able to leave.”

The Vicar nodded, “It is for the greater good. Do not falter.”

“I understand. I will not. I will see this through Father.”

He raised his right hand, “Go then and fulfill your mission!”

“I will,” the knight stood up and left the room leaving the Vicar watching from the window.

The Vicar walked to the center of the room. He kneeled in front of a white relic, a replica of the God’s tower near Midandria and uttered a few words. The tower glowed and breathed light as if becoming alive.

“Everything is going according to plan, my Lord,” he said.

“Is it? What about the White Merc?”

“The White Merc is on the run and two of our best knights have been tracking him around the outskirts. Also, the knights are acting as guards now so he won’t be able to get any closer to the city again.”

“Kill him!”

“Yes, my Lord. It will be done.”

“As it should, Vicar. I expect the God Stone in my hands soon.”

“It will be yours, my Lord, ” the Vicar said.