DarlaNow at the huge spacious town square, as we walked, we could see everyone busy themselves with the preparations for the festival. Beautiful decorations were put up across poles, lamps hung on ropes and the festive breeze did blow.I and Berylene lowered our heads along with our bodies as we went passing under a long big tree which two men carried. A man stood on top of a ladder that leaned on a tree, putting up fancy balls, stars, and shape decorations.“Happy Forestille day,” Berylene and I both echoed at the same, smiling as we waved at a female music instructor teaching a group of pupils a popular rhyme.“So Darla, how did you know of him?” Inquired Berylene, with displayed curiosity. She spoke it in a hushed tone as we moved, acting like people would want to hear us, or had had eyes on us.We could see Kaleb walk at our front just some steps away from us.I also decreased my tone, “It was Grandfather’s idea— trust me.”“So he’s like a Forelene Rocainian?” We both paused, loo

Kaleb“Gather around people.” An elderly man announced as soon as the music beat dropped. He was dressed in a warbonnet, and I figured he was their leader here. He spoke with prestige, taking his time to say each word as he walked around. “Today will forever be a memorable day in Forestille. We have come to a new era, and I am glad that we now have a new head. A few years ago we had a chief from the Reyer family.”“That's my family,” Berlyl said excitedly shaking Darla. “We were served well by that member for the moment. Each Chief has proven himself as a leader and I also hope I have done my bit. But now this day, we have our new Chief! From one of the most sacred family lineage, I present to you, Thomas Ebenboth!”With hard applause from the crowd, a strong black man in his fifties made his way to the front. He also wore a warbonnet, but his seemed bigger and dressed properly with a newer design. He climbed up the raised platform which the people had made. Walking up, Ebenboth wave

“Heads up Darla!” Beryl warned as she threw a bamboo stick at Darla. We were at a maize farm where at the end was a beach that was close to the Forestille River. This was where we secretly practiced. It was not really surrounded by many villagers, though we still were careful. This secret tutoring had been going on for months now, and I could not help but notice us grow, not just in height and in size, but also in skill. Even in this free land, there still was a problem there.You see, Darla had asked me to teach her the warrior's art of fighting and this was the land of the Forelenes, meaning there was no fighting allowed. According to them, no one was meant to wield a weapon, let alone use it on anyone. I noticed the other Forelene children seemed weak and all they did was sing songs, dance, and be friendly. They did work hard though, but most of the time played. Of course, they were hard-working with farm duties, chores…but permit me, defenseless!I was so glad that the Forel

KalebWe walked by each other's side to the market to sell to the kind villagers.I know I had been here for months now, but the way some of the villagers still stared at me, made me feel like they knew I was a foreigner. They always complimented my looks, which really was what made me uncomfortable and I really didn't see it as something that was to my liking.I just normally made sure my face was devoid of any form of expression when they spoke about my face, to avoid them getting the wrong idea from me.It was fun anyway, walking and doing this trade thing I had grown fond of.I suddenly heard whispers coming from Beryl and Darla. I looked at them with my face that Darla had complimented to have started looking innocent- but I highly doubted that. I wanted to find out what they were mumbling about. Darla had probably told me that lie because she wanted me to feel like I appeared like them. Perhaps so I’d feel belong.“Should I tell him?” This was Beryl, mumbling to Darla.“Tell me

KalebI gave a chuckle at first, then a cackle, and soon I released the loudest hysterical laughter ever. People gasped at the way I chose to answer. The response I had thrown was quite the twist. I never wanted it to end, I just kept on laughing out loud and mocking their bemused faces. I mocked them through my laugh.Returning to my serious face, I let them know using my rude-sounding voice, the cold voice I knew I had, “You’re all fools!” Louder gasps were heard from the crowd after this. “Totally defenseless against war!”The council hall roamed with noises from every corner, whispers and mutters made it obvious that the said word ‘war’ was a taboo here to speak of. It seemed they feared the word more than its impact.Seeing the panicking crowd, Ebenboth tried bringing down his people, “Settle down, settle down all. There's no war, and will not since we're here. We will not experience such.”His voice carried uncertainty mixed with insincerity. It showed in his eyes.“Well, beli