A medieval town square [https://i.imgur.com/RgDilHj.png]

THE SQUARE

Tolling ceased, reverberations dissipated, and finally the cheers of the townsfolk rose and all that remained of the sound were quickly fleeting memories. All around the town square there was an eruption of merriment that was sure to last some time into the night. Monte looked around at the people gathered. Many might say they had come to celebrate the last peals of the bells in the massive stone clock tower looming over the square. He knew that in truth, they came for the party. So had he.

Golden rays of fading sunlight bathed the square. Within a few moments of the musical troupe taking up their instruments again, a throng of townsfolk appeared in front of the stage. They were ready to dance into the night. Combined with the ale's effects, every face he saw was beautiful. Months had passed since Monte felt so at peace.

Curled up on the warmed brick wall next to him was the cat, napping as usual. She and Monte had only been in this town for a few days but they both felt quite at home here. Sitting across from Monte at the table was Alaya, a woman he'd met within hours of arriving in town. She owned the local café. Monte flirted with her a little while ordering a coffee, and they had taken to each other instantly.

"I think I might actually miss them." Alaya turned to Monte and mused.

"You told me yesterday you couldn't wait for them to stop!" Monte batted back playfully.

"I know… But they’ve always been there. Those bells have been a part of this town as long as I can remember. Sure, they annoyed me… a lot. But still, it's kind of sad isn't it? It feels like the end of something." Alaya managed to look a little pained.

Monte reflected on the ends of somethings. He had been around for the end of so many somethings lately. The end of his education at the Academy. The end of his father's life. The end being welcome in his own home.

Were the bells beautiful and powerful and stately and, maybe a little annoying? Of course they were, but they didn't seem important enough to mourn.

"I see what you mean. But luckily, they'll be back in a little while, right?" Monte replied.

"That's what they say…" She trailed off.

The innkeeper where Monte regularly stayed had given him a flier with the details of this festival. After the day he’d had in the village, where he was very nearly killed by The Company, he was looking for a little rest and relaxation. Still, Monte stayed in the Capitol for about a week. He was waiting for more information about the Company from his friends in the Guard. He hoped that the little episode would stir them up and he would get a new lead to track down. When it seemed like no news was coming, he decided to come here for this spectacle.

"What is happening now? The mayor's not going to stop the music is he? They've only just begun!" Alaya said, she was incensed by this act. Monte knew Alaya didn’t have fond feelings for the mayor, not many people in town did.

Her gaze had moved to the stage and Monte followed it and found a small commotion taking place. Three people were making their way to the front of the stage. In the lead was an immaculately dressed man, the mayor. He was bald on top but with bushy white sideburns. Monte had been hearing about the man since the day he arrived in town. This was the first chance he’d had to see the mayor in person. He was already living up to his reputation.

The other two wore dark clothing and appeared younger. Neither of the two of them smiled, and even from far off Monte could see they had hardened features. One of them was holding a bit of paper. If Monte didn't know better, he would have guessed they were Company men.

Don’t assume things, you’ve never met them.

One by one the musicians realized what was happening and stopped playing. Eventually there was just the sound of a beating drum. The drummer had apparently not been paying enough attention to notice all his fellows were silent. Monte saw a lute player give him a gentle kick, and the drumming ceased.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

The man holding the paper handed it to the mayor, who looked a little reluctant to take it. The mayor’s brow furrowed slightly, and he looked a little deflated. He stared at the paper for a long moment. Monte then saw him force a smile and turn toward the crowd. The mayor cleared his throat and raised his free hand to ask for quiet.

"Wasn't that something special? The end of an era. But the beginning of a bright new one!" The man spoke loud and clear.

His request for silence hadn't been taken well by those enjoying the music, but they offered due respect. The man on stage paused, apparently waiting for some kind of response, but none came.

"Most of you know me." He said and paused again. He looked around at the crowd. Again, there was no response, but the chatter in the outer parts of the square quieted down.

"But for those of you visiting our fine town, from the mayor to you, welcome." The mayor boomed, warmly.

A mild applause arose from the assembled crowd. Monte felt very welcome in the town. He wanted to stay for as long as he could afford to. Maybe he would even settle down, given the right opportunity. He couldn’t help but look at Alaya, who was giving the mayor her undivided attention. Neither of them clapped.

"Unfortunately, our famous Clockmaker couldn't make it here tonight." the mayor said.

Monte could tell the mayor wasn't too broken up about this Clockmaker's absence, though he managed to sound demure. Who was this Clockmaker? Why wouldn't they be present at a celebration of their life's work?

He had heard about the festival of the Final Tolling while he was in the Capitol, as had many others no doubt. Evidenced by the size of the crowd, word had spread throughout the cities and towns surrounding the Capitol too. Monte came a few nights early to make sure he wouldn't be turned away. Even then he felt he must have been one of the last visitors to find a decent room on the square.

"As many of you know, soon we will have the clock restored and running better than ever!" Once again, the mayor paused.

No one in the crowd bought what he was selling, and they made it clear with their silence. Monte couldn’t tell, but he thought he heard someone jeer. The mayor was flailing.

Sitting in Alaya's shop while she sold her pastries and bread in the mornings had been highly educational. Monte heard enough gossip to feel almost like a local. He knew that not a soul, save the mayor himself, believed the bells would ever make a sound again. Most folk were working out how they could afford a clock to carry with them after the one they were used to was stuck at eight o'clock forever.

After waiting entirely too long, the mayor continued with his speech.

"May I introduce to you the artisans who will begin work immediately." He spoke.

Monte saw the mayor look down to read the paper again. His face betrayed what looked to Monte like momentary terror. What could the paper possibly say? The mayor quickly forced a smile again and carried on.

"I assure you they're highly qualified for this task and will save our town a good deal!" The mayor shouted.

Despite trying his best to gin up some excitement with his words, the mayor fell flat again. He gestured toward the two men, and each gave a curt bow to the crowd. Monte was sure he heard someone in the crowd jeer this time. Monte couldn't say for certain, but he got the sense the two men on stage were in fact not qualified to repair the clocktower. He assumed they were frauds. Monte knew the only one who didn't share his assumption was the man currently on stage introducing them.

"Well, with that I say let the festivities begin!" The mayor threw an arm in the air as he said it.

This time, there were some mocking cheers. As the mayor and the two shady looking men moved off the stage, the musicians gave some confused looks. The festivities had already been going on for some time now.

They weren’t alone in feeling annoyed and put upon by the mayor, Monte knew. Undaunted, they picked up where they left off, as did the revelers in the square. Monte was ready to get up and fetch another ale.

"Can I bring you another?" He asked Alaya, indicating her half-empty flagon.

"Thanks, but I need to get back now, sorry. Tomorrow might be my busiest day of the year if this keeps up." Alaya stood up and looked around the square as she said it.

She was right, with so many folks in from out of town staying out late into the night, her pastries would be in very high demand tomorrow. Monte counted himself lucky he had an in with her already.

"Good night then. I’ll be there bright and early with the rest.” Monte said, leaning in towards her.

Unless you want me to come with you now…

She didn’t. He kissed her gently on the cheek and she said her goodbyes and turned to leave. She had her own cottage above her bakery and Monte was staying near the square in a very pleasant inn. He hadn't seen the cottage since the night he arrived, and something told him he might never again.

Monte took his flagon from the table, and just as he was heading to the tent containing the largest cask of ale he'd ever seen, a flash of orange caught his eye. He turned and saw the cat bounding into the twilight after a hooded figure.

What is she up to now?

He followed and watched as the figure, and then the cat, turned suddenly off the street down a narrow passage between two buildings, hardly wide enough for a person to squeeze through. When he reached the opening to the passage, he saw nothing. No cat, no figure, just a dark void between two buildings, typical in a town this old. Still, there was something strange about it, and he couldn’t explain what he’d seen.

Have I had that many ales?

Monte knew the cat to chase rats and other vermin when she got the chance. Had it simply been a trick of light and shadows?

Monte stared into the alleyway for some time, watching for some movement in the near darkness, but nothing came. He waited a few moments before turning back toward the town square. He fancied another ale, and there was no use looking around in the dark. All the action was back in the square. The cat would find him, she always did.