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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
Great Heads 28: Boy In The Shadows
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
Great Heads 29: A Secret Untold
Darla“Pa, please do something,” I begged Pa and had not stopped pleading ever since Kaleb had been taken away to the chief’s office. I couldn't help but feel sad. I felt like it was all my fault and wasn't his for forcing him to train me. That boy wouldn't have probably had the idea to fight here in Forestille if it weren’t for me. I was a terrible influence if truly anyone was. My craving for strength led me here. I had now seen the cause of my foolish act. It seemed like it was only Kaleb who really understood me here, it was like we shared similar thoughts concerning the world.I certainly did not want to be defenseless in battle, but surely I also didn't want my selfishness to inflict pain on someone else. I saw anger in Kaleb’s eyes when they took him away, but he didn't hurt anyone with that anger. And that I was grateful for.Some emotion gripped me tightly the moment Berylene’s father had spoken that Kaleb should never step foot near his sunshine again. Well, that was until
Great Heads 30: Broken Spirit
KalebI still stayed sitting next to my inmate, Bill, still inside the dark place the wicked man had put us in. Bill here, was a spy according to what I had been briefed on.He had finally managed to stand back up, and when I had gone closer before to set my eyes on him, I had observed a marking on his arm. It was the drawing of a snake, looking like a flying creature.“A dragon.” Bill narrated. “We’re called the Dragons. My people were once loyal warriors of a certain territory. My kind fought bravely in the past but were betrayed greatly, stabbed in the back by our own ruler. They were going to banish us all and lower our flag. The thing was that the Great King, the first, was scared we were becoming too powerful, so he let us loose into the world outside his kingdom. He was scared my people would be rebellious. We had no choice but to form our own nation. We’ve been gathering male recruits ever since. Including children like me. This all happened years ago before I was even born,
Great Heads 31: A Dream
KalebI consistently rolled on the hardwood they called bed. It was as hard as a rock and smaller than I was. Still, in the cell, I thought was called a rehabilitation center, I struggled to sleep as it had turned night once more.The Dragon soldier had gone and we had retired for the night. Ever since that night of my mother's death, I always saw myself reliving the day in sorrow, afraid I’d get raided by people who only wanted death for me. The trouble of sleeping was what I battled with each night, and I was clouded with eerie thoughts and dreams. Probably, I needed help. Sleeping in this center was terrible.This night, I felt it again—an emotion explainable to only those who had gone through hell.~*~*~*“What are you looking at?” asked Alec, my brother.This was a past memory. We were at the fountain, where there was a bench at the front and Mother's flowers were planted around it. “You look like a drowning insect in a pool. Your eyes don't leave the water and your face says no
Great Heads 32: Free
Kaleb“You’re free to go, boy.” The metals clanked against each other as the gate was opened with an annoying noise. It was the friendly guard that had opened it.Present day.It was morning and I felt the light pierce through my eyes directly. It was just like the sun at the end of a dark tunnel. The dark room had been lit and I was suffering from the unending light rays that still kept on sending spears into my eyeballs.I had woken up from my sleep. The dream was non-existent now and I was back into reality. Though I thought it wasn't that bad after all as there wasn't any blood shed this time. But the memory still made me feel sad. Nostalgia, I felt.Still trying to get myself together, I lifted my upper body and my eyes instantly raced to Bill, my inmate, who was on the ground seated in his usual lifeless position.“You’re free. Hah,” his laugh was rather compelled. He spoke in a monotone drawl, making it sound boring. “Could you do me a favour before leaving, Kaleb? Could you p
Great Heads 33: Rebel
KalebWe stayed at the breakfast table at Pa’s cabin. Beryl looked at me with a beautiful smile, almost seeming as if she enjoyed my view. I could see her do that countless times but chose to ignore her because if l had my eyes noticeably watching her, I’d cause an awkward moment between us.It felt as if I had a sudden spark within me just sitting opposite her. I could swear how very unusual this was for me to feel this way. It was like a jingle bell in my heart kept ringing, timelessly. I did not quite know what to do with it, whatever ‘it’ was. Pa, Darla, Beryl, and I were seated together at the table, eating what I thought was a celebratory banquet for me. I was not so into it because I had something else occur to me in mind.“So, Kaleb,” Darla called me. “what’s going to happen next?”Not sure what she meant, but if she was referring to our training, which I thought she referred to, of course, we’d settle down first. I was happy my family was with me again, but I also felt bad.