When he arrived at the fireplace, he stumbled upon the man with the scruffy beard, Shadis - he believed that was the man’s name - addressing the attentive crowd. The man appeared more gallant than usual. He wore red garments, which a servant probably borrowed for him, and his beard wasn’t scruffy anymore. He had clearly groomed it for the special occasion he was holding a speech about.
“… and that is why it is my great pleasure to announce the Lords Blitz on their 17th birthday!”
Shadis made his way to the twins and, seeing their lords dressed in exquisite clothing, the whole crowd erupted in cheers. And how couldn’t they? The boys looked absolutely stunning in their linen outfits. Both the undertunic and outerwear were finely crafted and heavily embroidered. It fit them so naturally that one wouldn’t question whose manor it was up on the hill. He couldn’t help but feel a joyful pride witnessing the twins, who had fallen from grace and were forced to work for their enemy, don their outfits with so much confidence. In the storm of whistling and “oohs” and “aahs,” he found himself ecstatically cheering with the other slaves, miners, servants, and the third group he assumed to be farmers, before the lords even had a chance to speak to the crowd. Varyan, who seemed a bit flustered with the situation, tried to speak up, but his voice was drowned by the celebratory yelling. When Jacoby raised his hand, however, the crowd started to quiet down. By the time the lord’s hand was lowered again, even the slaves who didn’t directly see him in their line of sight were hushed. That’s the kind of influence a lord wields.
image [https://i.imgur.com/LMSKjOZ.jpeg]
“It’s been two years,” Jacoby started, “two years, two months, and 26 days.”
A murmur went around the crowd.
“I’ve been counting.” Jacoby took a step forward. “I’ve been counting the 817 days my father, Thomas Blitz, has gifted me with his sacrifice.”
The crowd was dead silent.
“And he didn’t just die to protect my brother and me. When Carnifex took his head, he protected all of us. He bargained with the Adventurers for us to be spared. He gave each and every single one of you 817 days as well.”
Jacoby took a moment to look through the crowd. Some slaves were sobbing in silence.
“My father believed that life is the greatest gift one could have, for death comes unexpectedly and without fail, just like the Adventurers came for him.” He exchanged a somber look with Varyan. “Every birthday we celebrate, I’m reminded of that. But I’m grateful for each and every single day he gave me. It is not the life I’ve wished for. I know it’s not the life you’ve wished for too. Frustration sometimes takes the better of you, and I know that, but I expect you to be better than that.”
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At the back of the crowd, some miners were shuffling around.
“Don’t fight among each other, for the name Blitz unites you. Don’t throw your lives away, for they were gifted to you. Understand my father’s decision to be subjugated! Respect his wish to let us live! Trust that the Blitz family will come out on top! Have faith that Cassandra will find my grandfather and return to correct the Adventurers’ wrongdoings!”
Shadis handed Jacoby a chalice with a tear in his eye.
“Loyal subjects of the Blitz family,” he raised the chalice, “as long as we have each other, we will persevere. To freedom from Carnifex! To life without Adventurers! To the Blitz family!”
The crowd exploded in jubilation. If before was a storm of cheers, then this was a volcanic eruption of people clapping their hands, stomping their feet, and hugging and rejoicing with each other. Some stranger clapped his back, while one of the farmers he didn’t know grabbed his shoulder and excitedly shook him in an invitation to celebrate with them. However, he didn’t feel like celebrating anymore. Life without Adventurers?
He went around the back of the crowd and retreated behind some tents where Cadmun’s tent used to be. Over the commotion the crowd made, he heard Shadis proclaiming that the feast was about to commence, and even though it smelled delicious and he hadn’t eaten in days, his appetite was gone. He leaned against a nearby tree and took a deep breath. The feast had begun, and he observed how freely the slaves were enjoying the festivities without the interference of any Adventurers: Pretty soon a servant started to play the flute, and the slaves that had finished their meal started to get up and dance in a circle. One farmer woman and a big miner held each other in their arms and rocked back and forth to the music. He saw Cadmun arm-wrestle with another bald man in farmer clothes, as Timmy cheered them on. A group of farmers took the rare opportunity to talk to Shadis and the twins. They were gesticulating wildly, as they passionately recounted something important. Jacoby listened very closely and didn’t change his cold facial expression until the men were finished. Then, Jacoby placed a hand on the farmer closest to him and spoke a few promising words. He pointed to Varyan, who just smiled, while Shadis turned away to hide his tears. The farmers were all bowing and crying as they distanced themselves to join the dancing circle again. It’s not every day that they can all gather.
Some miners stood next to Lydia serving the food not to get a second helping, but rather to talk to her. They were more interested in the girl than in the pork stew. When a furious Cadmun appeared behind Lydia, the men dispersed in all directions, which made him giggle. They all look so happy. Is that what freedom from Carnifex looks like? But what of the Players?
“I knew I saw you coming over here,” the voice interrupted his thoughts.