Death's Overture

Chapter 6~ Flowing Blood

'Now tell me what is that?' My father asked as he pointed his index finger towards the ground where many medium-sized plants lay, their leaves green with its petals varying in colour from white to pink.

We were in the forest, at least ten miles away from our settlement. My father always took me up on his free days so that he could teach me the basics of Herbology and woodlore, at which I am quite embarrassed to admit that I was no good. 

I scratched my head a bit and then turned towards him. 'Wood sorrel?'  

'Correct. Now, what are its properties?' He looked at me intently, hope glittering in his eyes.

'I guess, it's edible and is helpful at times when water is not available as it also acts a good thirst quencher?' I said as I tried to remember something else.

'Good, it is also good in cases of fever so it's always advisable to have some when navigating.' He said noddingly.

'Now, look there.' He again pointed, this time towards a four feet tall plant, its stalk pink with grape-like clusters of purple-black berries on it.

'They are called as Pokeweeds or Poke salad depending upon where you see them. Don't get fooled by those alluring berries, many people mistake it as edibles when they see a bird or deer eating it, however, they are highly poisonous and a handful is enough to kill an adult. So, be wary of it.'

I nodded as I looked towards the juicy berries thinking if a handful would really kill me.

'Now.' He said in a ritualistic tone, his voice drawing my attention away from the berries. 'Show me what you remember from your previous lessons of woodlore I taught you.'
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An hour had passed since the second bell when we made way back to our home.

On reaching the outskirts, we were greeted by a bunch of skittish people who looked as if they were on the verge of a breakdown.

Hoff came to the front, his eyes dancing in all directions with his face full of sweat.

'Ladis, a messenger was sent by the empire a few hours ago. He bore the message that the empire wants to negotiate with us and so have sent an arbiter to settle the matter. He will be here before sunset.' He said as he looked towards my father, his eyes full of horror.

It came as a little shock to me as to why people were afraid rather than be delighted at the Empire's decision. Arbiters were in general notorious for their deeds, the empire had given them full authority to act in matters of dispute and settlement, on top of that they were independent of law itself only reporting to the king itself which significantly made them highly dangerous for the commoners. It was said that arbiters were shadow and words of the king himself.

My father looked around for a few moments before facing back towards the group.' Then why is everybody standing with no purpose? We have got less than five hours before he arrives, start the preparations!'

'Bu-but it's an arbiter they have sent, an arbiter!' The people said, their voice rising to a clamour.

'Stop panicking, if an arbiter is truly coming, it's more the reason to get our preparations done more neatly. You know they call the arbiters as the shadow of the king. If they approve of our terms, then there would be no one to oppose our freedom.' My father said as he looked towards the different faces which had gathered there. If he was afraid he showed none of it.

The men around started to look at each other as if waiting for approval and all of a sudden everyone present broke into a race to complete the arrangements as quickly as possible. Soon in that small area men could be seen running around with firewood, dry leaves and other things. Voices of the women could be heard as they ordered the men to bring things they needed to do their job. The children were all being sent away or tucked in their own respective shelters as a precaution so that no harm comes to the preparations in any way.
My father stood at the centre of these bustling activities and governed the whole lot of it.
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The sun had started to set, the preparations were complete.