"Don't put that in here"
"Oh gods! How many times do I have to tell you?"
"The flowers are in the basket. Go get them."
"Father, the tables are set"
The Sun was towering high above the blue sky. The violent storm had finally passed leaving behind the fragrance of fresh wet soil.
The trees of the forest seemed greener than usual. Thick canopies of the tall trees were rustling by the gentle wind.
In the moist path of the forest, someone was walking towards the town.
It was an old man with aged grey hair. His withered skin spoke only about his experience and the hint of profound knowledge was hidden in his calm brown eyes.
Dressed in simple loose clothing as he walked out of the forest his smile grew only wider. It wasn't easy to find this place hidden in the depths of the forest and it seems he wasn't wrong in wanting to come here.
Before him, several healthy crops were swaying in the fields.
He had expected people here to be dependent on agriculture but even with his immense experience he couldn't have expected this town to be so bountiful.
The air was fresh and full of life.
He looked at the town with a smile and turned his gaze towards the forest, his smile fading slowly. He wasn't sure how to feel, being the only one knowing what was coming for this town.
It's a pity he can't do anything for these people and this lovely place. He had a duty to uphold after all and wasn't allowed to overstep his bounds.
No matter how strong and powerful he was, no one in the world had the power to go against the turbulent waves of fate.
He sighed and continued walking ahead,
"Let's see if you can protect your new home, Lord Valerius."
The man was a traveller, he never stopped and had no home. He had travelled to many prosperous cities and towns but he never had this feeling before. Like he was finally at home.
Coming out of his thoughts, a sudden realization came to him. Why hasn't he seen anyone?
Not one farmer was to be seen working in the fields. So, where was everyone?
As he walked into the town, houses crafted from wood started to appear. People also started to appear slowly. But for some reason everyone was in a hurry. The residents, it seems, were preparing for a festival.
'It is really unfortunate. These people don't even know.' he thought, pitying in his mind. 'Then again they have seen far more terrifying things.'
The truth was the man wasn't any regular traveller who had arrived here just to see places. He was someone with a duty. His responsibility was to make the leaders aware of the upcoming threat.
His intuition was very strong, strong enough to find a place no one was able to.
"Excuse me," he asked a resident who was passing by, holding a basket of colourful flowers in his hands, "what occasion are you all preparing for?"
The resident did not answer him but looked at the man with a peculiar expression.
"Sorry, forget that just curious question of an old man," he said, feeling a bit uncomfortable under the resident man's gaze.
"No.. please I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable" the resident replied smiling at the man. "It's just that we don't get many visitors here. That's all."
Then suddenly his eyes widened at the sight of a flower basket in his own hand.
"Oh! I am late," he gestured to the stranger to follow behind him. "Please come, if you are here that means you are also an esteemed guest."
"Wait," the traveller followed behind, "but what is the occasion?"
The resident only continued walking towards what could be only the centre of the town and replied in a hurried voice,
"We are celebrating the birth of our young lord."
Hearing that the man grew only more curious.
He passed through the streets feeling lively with colours. Flowers were to be seen everywhere.
Houses were decorated and surroundings were brimming with joy. People laughed and joked around, some looked anxious, trying to do all the decorations before time.
The lively atmosphere led him to the heart of the town. There, beside a long bell tower and magnificent building of the town square, a garden was brimming with people.
Townsfolk were gathered here waiting for something or someone?
"Please have a seat. The celebration will begin shortly."
Hearing the resident, he sat on a bench that too was decorated with garlands of colourful flowers.
A woman served him a delicious glass of fruit juice.
Now the only thing he had to do was wait.
While waiting, he overheard the conversations around and got to know that a month ago, the heir to the Lord of the town was born.
And it was the birth of the young boy they all were celebrating.
If it was anyone else they would've praised the love and respect townsfolk felt for their leader. But the traveller was a man of experience, he had seen things, and he knew damn well what could a person achieve with a force of loyal followers behind.
Even the gods were nothing without their worshippers.
Not to mention this place held a frequent history of defiance. These were no ordinary people nor was this an ordinary town.
Then again, if you keep pushing someone to their limits and trampling their mundane lives, they are sure to be rebellious. And a rebellion brings either freedom or doom. There's nothing in between.
Traveller was deep into his thoughts when his gaze fell upon the tiny golden sparks of interference in the sky.
His lips slowly curled up in a smile, "so this is his doing. Aurelion had created a fine system." He looked at the sky with a distant gaze, "So it is true after all. Your friendship really doesn't know any bounds."
Suddenly the crowd started cheering with excitement, snapping him out of his deep thoughts.
The young lord is finally here.
— — — — —