Home for the Few - The Awakening of the Silenced Ⅰ

III. Blindfolded.

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   "Your Majesty," said the royal guard, wearing iron armor designed to resemble the trunk of a tree, with small green shoots.

   Golden details carved on his limbs represented nature and Knglo and Egot. On his chest and back was the emblem of Serendipia, carved and painted green, showing four animals (one for each region). The helmet was shaped like a fox's face, representing Vulpes. In Mare Turtur, they wore similar armor but with designs mimicking turtle shells; in Suscitavi, moose horns; and in Apis, bee wings adorned each side. After bowing, with one hand on his sword and the other on his musket as a sign of eternal protection to the kingdom, the man continued:

   "The fleet coming from Apis has sunk. We believe they have once again taken the women and killed the rest."

   The sparrows' song drifted through the window that opened to the castle's private garden. The King liked the smell of snow in the mornings.

   "The Black Block?" replied Sauro without opening his eyes, scratching his prickly green beard. He was submerged in his hot bath, which emitted a strong herbal scent. Rosemary and peppermint dominated above the others.

   "We can't confirm it, sir. Since nothing was left behind, we believe so... One more thing, Your Majesty, there was an orphan girl on that ship." The young man shifted nervously, looking at his shoes. He added, "A burned cabin in Apis. Her father was a fisherman, and her mother belonged to one of the native families."

   At that moment, a young maid, barely ten years old with golden hair, entered the room with her head bowed. Her name was Camila, the youngest daughter of Zervus, the lady-in-waiting to Lorenza, who also oversaw all the maids and the upbringing of Kaira. With her large, protruding ears peeking out from her hair, her big blue eyes, and innocent gaze, she had the appearance of a porcelain doll. This look would stay with her always, giving her an air of eternal childhood. In her hand, she carried a velvet cloth, a sharp blade, and a bowl with a paste made of herbs, honey, and salty water. Without saying a word, completely submissive, she sat near the King and began spreading the paste on his beard.

   "Spread the word, let everyone know the news. I want you to say that the burning of the cabin, the sinking of our fleet, the disappearances in Mare Turtur, and the thefts in Suscitavi are all the work of the Black Block. Don't forget to mention the girl; don't let them forget about that. Let the people think that now they're targeting the children... we can use that to our advantage." As he spoke, he extended his hand and began stroking Camila's hair, as if she were a dog. "Also, inform the guards of the other regions to keep their eyes open for the girl. If we're lucky, the brutality of the high seas will claim her life."

   The sparrows went silent, giving way to the sound of their wings as they flew away.

   "Yes, Your Highness. At once."

• ────── ☼ ────── •

   In the dungeons of Vulpes, which were usually emptied quickly, a nameless thief writhed in his cell. Two middle-aged guards held him by the arms, while a third approached his bare back with a searing hot iron. This one was only thirteen years old, having joined the Royal Guard at a very young age thanks to his physical prowess and cold demeanor. His name was Grimn Agares. His large black eyes, tousled blonde hair, and sharp features gave him a demonic appearance, even at such a young age. He had slightly crooked, small sharp teeth, a common trait among his people.

   "Please, no," the thief begged. "I won't try to steal again, I'm sorry, I just wanted a little of the King's wine, it was stupid. I'm sorry!"

   The iron hadn't touched his skin yet, but he could already feel the heat.

   "No, no! Mercy, please!" he began to scream, struggling to break free. "I swear by all the Gods I'm not part of the Black Block!"

   At that moment, he felt a pain like no other. Tears streamed uncontrollably down his face as his skin scorched and fused to the iron. The smell was nauseating, and his screams were blood-curdling. His head slumped forward with a dull thud, as he fainted from the pain. The guards released him, letting him fall face-first onto the wet, dirty floor, breaking his nose in the process. On his back, an indelible mark would now fuel the town's fear. The mark left by the iron was the face of the woman with snake-like hair, the same that headed the Olympe de Gouges, the ship of the Black Block.

   "Now you are one of them," said Grimn, looking at him with disgust as the three left the dungeon.

   That same afternoon, the petty thief was executed in the town's main square, at the foot of the castle. Dressed only in ragged black pants, gagged, with a swollen face, crying for mercy. He was knelt with his back to the terrified townspeople, where all could see the symbol they feared so much, the one worn only by members of the Black Block.

   The executioner, Sigmund III, ceremoniously approached him, laid him on a wooden block, raised his obsidian axe to the sky, and with a single stroke, cut off his head.

   That afternoon, a simple boy who had tried to steal a bottle of wine from the King's Vineyard wagon was executed before the town under the name of the Black Block. That afternoon, the lie was fed once again. As the sun set, the body was thrown into a mass grave beneath the temple of Knglo, where lay all the bodies of those no one had mourned. Those the people believed unworthy of having their names carved into marble stones, those whose families weren't allowed to mourn publicly.

   Sigmund placed his weapon back on the table, took a damp cloth, and began cleaning his hands until they were free of blood. The townsfolk began to disperse, returning to their homes, horrified and blindfolded without knowing it.

   The blood flowed persistently, staining the snow red. A small fox sniffed at the scene, then trotted off into the pine forest, leaving behind a trail of reddish footprints.

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