Fragments of a Broken World: The Lost City [Complete]

Episode 26 - The Bar of the Broken Dreams

In the worst case scenario, the most feasible thing is that if a guard catches me in the central plaza, they take into account my presumption of innocence and don't execute me on the spot. If everything I heard is true, they should find evidence that I stole from them, right?

That's the advantage you can take from fools who play by the rules. It's too late for them to pretend to be righteous after they've messed it up on their own.

It's apparent they've messed up several times. The people here don't hate me, at least not as much as the guards. I should trust the people.

I entered an unnamed tavern, although it was the only one near the central plaza.

The place was packed.

I see one or two guards among the crowd, but I manage to hide well even with the clothes I'm wearing, or at least they are more visible than me with those helmets they wear.

The few guards who were in this place leave, and I feel relieved sitting at one of the tables.

I notice someone at another table staring at me, our eyes meet. They get up and head to the exit, but someone grabs them by the shoulder.

"Hey hey, where are you going?"

With small gestures with their head and eyes, they point at me.

"No! No one here will talk to the guards about Broken Forever. You know how it is, they promise it will serve us, but the first thing they do is suspect you for collaborating with him. Don't make the same mistake. You wouldn't like to be betrayed either."

At that moment, I had attracted everyone's attention.

Contrary to what it may seem, I didn't feel uncomfortable, but I felt a need, I didn't want to die without being heard.

I got up from my seat and stood on the counter, raising my voice.

"Citizens of the central plaza, my name is Broken Forever. Many of you will have doubts like the guards do.

"Unlike those who give orders and then leave as if they were strangers to this place, I do listen to you. I have seen what you suffer, I know it is a mutual feeling, but no one has projected it because they feel disorganized.

"I know not all the town is gathered here, I could tell you one by one, but I'll be brief with all of you.

"The reason the king is asking for me, I don't know if he wants me alive or dead, is because I just left his palace. Since I arrived, I have been searching for answers, and now I know that the king is not as merciful as he claims to be. He lives in his palace, has several women for himself.

"Perhaps you have to wait for the great bonfire and impress your loved ones with great effort, but the king doesn't need those things, he simply takes your crops to serve a great banquet in his honor.

"I am no longer an outsider, I am one of you, I just ask that you believe me. Have you ever wondered what he does with the tributes? There aren't enough guards or miners or horses to justify it."

A man stood up from his chair without taking his eyes off me.

"Is it true what you told my mate? That the king lets you live in the housing block?"

"That's right, the king transferred me there and asked me to stop asking questions about his rulership."

The man's jaw dropped.

"I've been working since I was a child, and I'm far from being able to fulfill my dream of living there!"

The people started to make a commotion.