Living in Fear

Chp 11

Nathaniel got himself washed up and clothed, trying his best not to let his mind wander too far off the deep end.

He was given a red, long-sleeved shirt, black pants, and a pair of leather boots that fit him surprisingly well. He folded his old clothes into a bundle and walked back to Rew's house for further instructions.

On his way, he noticed people rushing about trying to get ready for the festivities. They were putting up flowers and streamers. Others were roasting pigs and vegetables in large fire pits in the center of this odd village.

Nathaniel opened the door to Rew's house, expecting the terrifying woman to be throwing orders at him the second he got in there, but saw no one in the small cottage.

"Rew?" he called.

"Momma is busy mister," someone said from behind him.

Nathaniel whirled around to see Sander in fresh, clean clothes. "Where is your mom?" he asked.

"She's helping out get ready for the humans," Sander replied and jerked a thumb behind him, "But she said that you can help me get the tables ready."

"Oh. Okay. What can I do?" Nathaniel asked.

"You can help roll them out. They're big, round and very heavy. C'mon I'll show you."

Nathaniel followed Sander to where the tables were. He, among a few other men, rolled them out into the main road and set them up near the middle of the village. While doing this, he noticed that almost everyone in the village was doing something to get ready for this celebration. He even saw the children help out. They helped hang ladders for the humans and set up the tables for the smaller beings.

He saw everyone working together without any arguing.

That was first...

Most times in the giant villages, everyone had at least one disagreement with everyone else. There was always a fight or a stand-off happening.

There was no violence here...

Nathaniel's curiosity peaked so he pulled the man he had been working with aside to ask, "Has there ever been a fight here before?"

The man, whose name was Moshe, laughed, "Not in the village, no. We let our aggression out in the training fields or the arena."

"Arena?"

"Aye. It's where we spar each other and keep up our strength in case we are attacked."

"You get attacked? Why?"

Moshe looked at Nathaniel incredulously, "We may live outside of the King's rule, but that doesn't mean he won't leave us alone. That bastard thinks we're planning to storm the castle or some rebellious shite like that when all we want is to be left the hell alone."

"Does he attack often?"

"At least once a year. The human King is worse though. He has a special hatred for Dee."

"D?"

Moshe shrugged, "The human who started all of this. I think she is called 'Girl' nowadays, but I'm used to calling her Dee."

Nathaniel nodded and thanked Moshe for the information. He began to wander around the village, occasionally helping someone get ready for the night's celebration. The sun was beginning to set over the horizon and Nathaniel stood among all the others, waiting anxiously for the humans to arrive.

He was one of the first people to see a small dot of light on the horizon. There were soon hundreds of small lights on the path. They became closer and soon Nathaniel could hear the soft voices of the humans. Some were singing a song of friendship and welcome. He could hear the human children giggle in the distance.

"The humans are here!"

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...I have legit no excuse for not posting sooner.

Oops...

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