On The Mountain - (On Hold)

A Proclamation

Arthur watched in desperation as he listened to a heated conversation between his father and another valley folk. Everyone in the village was poor, hardly a penny to go around. Whoever was lucky enough to have something precious didn't get to keep it for long; many people were pick-pockets or burglars, stealing anything they thought was of value. Day after day, his father always had some argument with another. It was the daily routine: find some measly thing to eat, go out into the village, come across a person asking for something, anything, and get into an argument.

He wished his father wasn't so hot-tempered and could be friendly once in a while. His mother had died a year ago due to lack of food, and ever since then, his father had been as cold as ice. No matter what Arthur did, his father would never be proud of him. Other children had started to tease him, and though Arthur tried to be the best he could possibly be, his father had given him a bad reputation.

Though lonely, Arthur didn't try to get close to anyone, because people were known to cheat their friends. They would use them to get something treasured by the cheated. He gazed longing up at the mountain beside the valley, wishing that the valley folk were as peaceful as the mountain people. He could hear their happy laughter and celebration from far down below, and his heart filled with jealousy.

Why can't I be up there right now? He thought to himself. Why am I stuck in this embarrassment of a village? He was left to his own thoughts as he imagined what life would be like up on the mountain.

Suddenly, a courier rushed down the street, crying out a message. Everyone turned their heads toward him as he shouted, staring at him with confusion, as they tried to make out what he was saying.

"Everyone is to meet at the village square for an important meeting!" His voice rang out clear and loud, resonating in Arthur's ears.

He stared at his father, looking at him pleadingly, as he slowly nodded his head. Arthur jumped up and down with excitement, impatient to attend his very first village meeting. Given the specific time, his father turned back to his previous conversation, now about what the gathering could be about. The messenger had looked serious, and Arthur was worried as to what might happen during the assembly. His mind could focus only on the meeting that was to come, and his father had to shake him out of his enamor.

It was time.