When the World Ends

4; Astrid

     I'm genuinely perplexed at the decisions Daye had just announced to the public. Releasing slaves? That had never been done before. We have had slaves among our kind for generations, as Shan was saying. Since the Empire was formed, it seems, thousands of years ago. And the forgiving debts? That's massive! Daye's father took as he pleased, leaving many families with not even a speck of dirt to their name. 

     Watching Daye now, standing behind the podium with his hands resting behind his back, there is an unnatural... peace...about him. Especially for someone of his stature. I watched his father when I was a young girl, constantly surrounded by guards and faking confidence, intelligence, and so much more. If you looked closely enough, during his speeches and address to the nations, you could see him gripping the podium with white knuckles. You could see him fidgeting with his notes before the guards parted to allow him onto the stage, or how sweat would collect above his brow, and upper lip when he began to make empty promises and lie to the masses, attempting to keep the people hopeful. Daye exhibits none of those attributes. Not one. He is calm, patient, and he seems genuine in every sense of the word.

     Daye turns to me and smiles, nodding as he passes. When he exits the stage, hands still held behind his back, the guards begin to move around the stage. One materializes a bucket of water from behind one of the pillars supporting the grand dome above us. Another gathers the papers from the podium, and slides them into a folder. 

     Still clearly perplexed, I lean forward, watching Daye turn around the corner and disappear as quickly as he arrived. Right before I fully lose sight of him, the guard that took his jacket drops it into his hand.

I'm still holding my bow, I realize, when the arrow drops from my grip and clatters to the floor. When I straighten myself, a guard steps over to me and says, "Commander, you have been given free reign on your first day. You may explore as you'd like, or you can go and see Daye. He is going to start right away on releasing the slaves when he returns to his quarters. It may boost the cities morale if the people believe they also have the support of their second in command."

     I regard the short, stout man and nod. "Thank you, sir- ?"

     "Oh don't worry about names, mi'lady. We'll meet again, I'm sure." He flashes a smile, tipping his uniform hat at me. 

     I toss the arrow in my hand over my shoulder and back into the quiver, taking off after Daye. Exploring can wait, I've got to see this. 

     There are so many halls here, I don't believe that they never get lost. I do, however, know exactly where I'm going. I just have to follow the line of people clutching bags of belongings to their chests. I'm surprised at how well the slaves are dressed. The women and girls are adorned in pressed, plain black cotton dresses, with corset tops; the dress comes to about the knee. Their hair is either twisted into a tight bun a top their head, or two french braids that hang down their backs. The women here at Ravenwood weren't allowed to cut their hair, for some peculiar reason. My schools really cared more about education than clothing, and hair length. 

     The men wore dress shoes and slacks, white button up shirts and black velvet vests. They wear their hair short, and gelled, similar to the way our military wears it.

     Gathered around the doors to Daye's room is a hoard of people, and about ten or so guards, scims poking out behind their heads in a 'V'. They didn't engage with the crowd, they simply stood and watched. Both sexes wore bright, golden cuffs on their wrists to signify their status.

     I wiggled my way through the crowd, holding my bow up above their heads. When I finally break through the crowd, I straighten my armor and ask the guard directly in front of me if I can stay for the process. Before he can answer, the door swings open and Daye steps out into the space between the two men.

     Once again, he nods at me. As if a wave of silence has rolled over us, one row at a time, the crowd falls silent, although you can still feel the buzz of hope and liberation among the slaves. 

     "Please, line up along the wall, and we'll begin shortly."

     "Elector- you're really going to free us?" An older woman asks.

Daye smiles again, something I could have sworn his father never did. "Indeed, but we're going to wait just a second to see if anyone changes their mind and would like to join us. Until then, you may talk amongst yourselves."

A quiet chatter begins among them and I approach Daye, surprised once again when instead of shoving me away, the guard to his left moves over and makes room. "Daye? Sorry, I mean Elector-?"

     "Daye will do just fine, Commander." He keeps a watchful eye on the crowd.

     "Then, Daye, I've noticed that none of your men seem... uptight around you. Can you be sure they truly have your best interests at mind? As quickly as Shan was on the stage, they don't seem to have the adequate resources to defend you in the case of a sudden attack-" 

     "I assure you, Miss Aldone," his gaze shifts to mine, "my men go through the toughest training in the country." He pauses. "Also, I have warned them that if they baby me as my father demanded they do, they will be out of a job. I am the Elector and I can hold my own."

     He gives one more look over the crowd and then sighs, as if he was waiting for someone in particular, checks his watch and then reaches and taps the nearest guard on the shoulder. "It's time," he mutters.

     All at once, the guards tap their spears on the cobblestone path, sending a dull echo down the hall. Some in the crowd jump, but they once again fall silent and await instructions.

     It would be so easy to manipulate such a large group of faithful and obedient people. They already cling to the Empire for survival. Let's just be glad that Daye doesn't see them that way.