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Great Heads 20: The Festival
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
Great Heads 21: Merry
Kaleb“You may still consider yourself a Rocainian, but you're at Forestille now,” Darla said to me. “And Forelenes are humble.”She then left.Of course, I could never take away the fact that I was born in Rocain land, and was taught to see other people from different tribes as enemies, but what I also couldn’t change was the fact that mother was also a Forelene.“Keep running and never turn back for there is nothing to return to. Head southwards until you find a town called Forestille. It will be your own home. Forelenes are nice warm-hearted people by nature. They shall take you in for you are also Forelenes,” I remembered mother's quotes.I had always wondered what it would've been like if I and Alec escaped together. He always seemed like the smart one, so what would he have done in this case?Should I still hold on to that belief of being a Rocainian who was born into this world just to fight in the war we ourselves wedge?Right here at Forestille, they said was a kind happy pla
Great Heads 22: A New Chief
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
Great Heads 23: Childhood
Months After That..Kaleb Back there at Rocain, we never celebrated. That was except the death of the war heroes who had served in Rocainian army as warriors. While we trained to be those warriors the other Rocainians had aspired us to be, to follow their lead, we would hear father say to us that that honourable salute was what all Rocainians looked forward to someday, and it was the respect one craved. But right now, when I actually gave it a thought, that was not what I wanted at all.Me and the old man stayed right outside the cottage here in Forestille, sawing a couple of woods to make a bed and the extra room he had promised me.“You seem real strong for an old man,” I said to Pa. “Were you some kind of warrior?”Pa gave a look at me with that grin of his that never vanished, then let out a hysterical laughter afterwards. “Well, you're too strong for a lad.” he said, carrying up heavy logs. “Those small hands of yours sure do know how to work.”I continued sawing the wood.
Great Heads 24: Growing Up
“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
Great Heads 25: A secret
Kaleb“We need to go,” Darla warned, deviating me from my thoughts. “I think someone's coming.” I turned my head backward, now alert, looking for anyone possible who was close by and who had followed us here. But I didn't see anyone. I assume she had just heard a noise.We decided to head back home to Beryl’s to have lunch.“So how was your morning?” Amila inquired, pacing around quickly with a tray of hot food in her hands. We were seated at the lunch table like a small family at Beryl's house. “It seems you children have something going up.”Her brows lifted inquisitively. Beryl gulped down her grape juice as it seemed to have caused a bit of suffocation there. She let out a cough, choking on her own drink. This I presume was Beryl's reaction to Amila's words. She feared she knew of our secret training sessions.“Hmm…” Amila showed suspicion. She stared at us with squinted eyes, sending chills up in our shuddering shoulders. Now changing from her suspicious tone, she said, “Well,
Great Heads 26: Gasp Of Shock
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
Great Heads 27: The Assemble
KalebI was being taken to a council hall because I had been summoned there by the elders, so suddenly. Though unnecessary, I would say they all were fools for thinking I’d even flinch a bit in their so-called ‘honourable presence’.It was an open place, crowded with nothing but bewildered Forelenes that awaited my trial. And according to one of them that I had heard mumbling, he said that a case of anyone fighting in Forestille was extremely rare if not impossible.I was walking in still having my pride intact. They believed they were kind and warm-hearted, and in their voice, they’d say that their blood was made of milk and honey. If I was right.It was the Rocainians that were cold-blooded to them. We were the cruel, evil ones they said.In the council hall, I sighted a few seats for the people and then high seats that were literally higher than the others with a raised long joined desk.I was being guarded by two men who seemed afraid of me. And if not for the respect I had for Mo