Jethro could see through the field that the sun had just made it past the horizon. This day started as usual, with two buckets of feed and a short walk to the troughs. The only thing separating this day from the countless others was the anticipation. Today Jethro would finally see King Osland. Not only him, but Jethro’s entire family would be in town for the King’s ride through their humble community. Preparations had been in the works for several weeks, ensuring the village would be ready for their King. While some of the villages’ older members had seen King Osland, most folks had only heard rumors of the man. Jethro had been dreading this day since they first got word the King would be coming.
With morning work out of the way, Jethro headed in for a meal. There would be no time for much else, as he and his wife Claudine had several miles to get into town. “I’m sure he’s come to tell us of more taxes, at the very least”, Jethro mentioned as he passed Claudine. “At the worst, he’ll tell us how we’ve all been behind for too long, and he’ll have the village burned to the ground!” “Don’t be so paranoid!” Claudine muttered, as she finished gathering her things for the walk, “You buy into those rumors much too easily.” “Oh c’mon Claudine, Osland’s never set foot in our town, yet he’s been our King as long as anyone can remember, and you think he’s making this trip for fun? There has to be something wrong.”
Mikel could see through the field that the sun had just made it past the horizon. This day started as usual, with two buckets of feed and a short walk to the troughs. The only thing separating this day from the countless others was the anticipation. Today Mikel would finally see King Nartok. Not only him, but Mikel’s entire family would be in town for the King’s ride through their humble community. Preparations had been in the works for several weeks, ensuring the village would be ready for their King. While some of the villages’ older members had seen King Nartok, most folks had only heard rumors of the man. Mikel had been anxious since they first got word the King would be coming.
With morning work out of the way, Mikel headed in for a meal. There would be no time for much else, as he and his wife Nadine had several miles to get into town. “I’m sure he’s come to inspire us with words of the expanding kingdom!” Mikel mentioned as he passed Nadine. “At best, he may be seeking men for his royal army!” “Don’t get ahead of yourself!” Nadine muttered, as she finished gathering her things for the walk, “You always expect far too much.” “Oh c’mon Nadine, Nartok’s never set foot in our town, yet he’s been our King as long as anyone can remember, and you think he’s making this trip to harm us? There has to be something more!”
Jethro and Claudine stood in the back of a crowd. “I don’t know why I let you talk me into being up here Claudine. When Osland comes by, we’ll be in the first crowd he sees.” A deep-rooted fear came up from Jethro’s gut as he heard the trumpets. He knew King Osland was close.
Mikel and Nadine stood in the back of a crowd. “I don’t know why I let you talk me into being up here Nadine. When Nartok comes by, there’s no way he’ll see us.” A deep-rooted loyalty came up from Mikel’s gut as he heard the trumpets. He knew King Nartok was close.
After a great feast, King Osland had Jethro and Claudine come to the head table for recognition. “My faithful servant, how could you have been afraid of me? I love you as my people, and I’ve come to ensure your safety.” Jethro looked at his feet while he heard these words. Words that were turning his whole world upside down as his perceptions had been wrong.
After a great feast, King Nartok had the heads of Mikel and Nadine brought to his table for recognition. “How could this man rush my chariot? I am King Nartok, and I’ve come to take what’s rightly mine from this village.”
Just moments before Mikel’s life ended, he heard the words of King Nartok as he ordered his death. Words that were turning his whole world upside down as his perceptions had been wrong.
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