Chapter 3

Shortly after dark drums began to beat throughout the city signaling the start of the festival of Kelaspin. The drums were audible from all over the city summoning citizens to the main road.

The procession began, led by musicians followed by residents of the city dressed in traditional dress which comprised of all colours imaginable. The men wore traditional hats matching their robes while the women wore scarves with colourful patterns along with their long, flowing dresses. The procession ended at the palace court before the palace where enough food, spirits, and drink were laid out for the citizens to feast on the night through.

The only people who could not participate were the guards of the city. Food would be sent to them at their posts but the need for security denied them any spirits. It was a rule which was never adhered to by the guards. And breaking it had never had any adverse consequences. But tonight that would change.

The residents of Kyrshom, oblivious to the army beyond the walls, thronged behind the official procession singing and making music with their own instruments. The procession walked the two miles along the main street of the city until it entered the Palace Circle. The gates, usually only opened for those with official palace business, were flung wide open tonight granting welcome to any and all for the celebration.

Kelaspin. The annual celebration of long life was held on the day of the King’s birthday. Many aspects of life were celebrated. The King’s birthday and life were the first and foremost reason for the celebration. Thanks were given for abundant harvests whether they were abundant or not. The belief was to give gratitude regardless of reality. The king gave a special gift of food and money to those whose birthday fell on the day of Kelaspin. The blessed people shared the gifts with their families and friends spreading the love and kindness of sharing and abundance.

On this day criminals who were deemed to have demonstrated atonement for their crimes were pardoned if the King chose to pardon them.

Everyone thanked the Gods and Goddesses and made token sacrifices to the Gods they worshiped.

The festival of Kelaspin was the one day in a circle that the city of Kyrshom was a paradise. The one day when every person demonstrated their love for every other in the city. It was like a dream. And a day of pleasant self-delusion.

Thieves, beggars, royalty, merchants, traders were all the same. There was no class on this day. No hierarchy although security was maintained around the royal family. From sunrise to midnight, it was a different world.

But from the moment that the palace bells tolled at midnight, the city reverted to normal. A cesspool of corruption and debauchery. Until a minute before midnight people could be still be hugging one another and then robbing or being robbed the moment the palace bells finished tolling to signal the end of the festival and the day.

The criminal activities were nevertheless much reduced immediately following the end of the festival as even the Black Cloaks and other criminals had more than their fill of wine and spirits. Many went home to sleep or passed out in the streets.

Many of the city’s residents forgot the harsh reality that danger still lurked after midnight until it was too late. But there were more careful and conservative ones who departed when the bells began to toll in order to make it home safely before the bells finished tolling. When the bells tolled for the last time, the Black Cloaks reasserted their underground laws. The Black Cloaks were a ruling underground network of criminals and petty thieves who ran all measure of illegal activity in the city. No-one knew who the Black Cloaks or Cloaks as they were more commonly known, were, but the Black Cloaks knew everyone. If they didn’t know someone, it did not take long to get to know anything about anyone of interest to them.

The Cloaks claimed night and protection taxes from business owners in the city. Business owners had long given up appealing to the King to try to do something about it and now, after generations, simply paid the tax. Payment ensured that their businesses would not be broken into or damaged. If they refused to pay, life would become increasingly difficult for them until they were ultimately forced to close down. Payment simply ensured that they could continue to operate their businesses and eke out a living as most of their income was taken in taxes by the Kingdom’s tax collectors if not by the Cloaks.

But some areas were declared off-limits to the Cloaks by the Cloaks leadership. These areas were designated for petty thieves and criminals to make a small living. Despite requests for help from the business owners and residents in these areas, the Cloaks refused to be involved in the areas. They would only become involved after a particularly serious event occurred such as a murder or a rape. Then they would track the offender down for a considerable reward and punish him personally. In such instances, they operated totally autonomously, and no-one ever understood the reasons for their actions.

But even on the night of the festival of Kelaspin, the Cloaks took a break from their underground rule. Tonight, amazingly, even they did not know what was coming. The plan that was being implemented this evening had been kept secret even from the Black Cloaks.

When the residents of Kyrshom had gathered in the Palace Circle, the royal family made its grand entrance. King Atomas appeared at the top of the palace stairs, his wife, Hester, the queen of Aleghor by his side. Their daughter Alexa, stood on the other side of Atomas.

The crowd grew still when Atomas appeared. There were few cheers for Atomas was respected by few. Whispers and comments passed through the crowd about Hester and Alexa. People were taken with their beauty and their dresses. Some remarked that their clothes were a slap in the faces of the people of Kyrshom considering how little Atomas did for the people. Others defended Hester and Alexa reminding critics of the work they did for the people of Kyrshom.

The royal family descended the stairs and King Atomas took his time as he greeted the wealthiest merchants in the city who were most faithful to him. They lined the red carpet laid out for the royal family’s descent from the palace and Atomas took a selfishly long time to greet those most loyal to him.

Finally, they reached the dais at the bottom of the stairs. The royal family climbed the steps onto the dais and the crowd grew silent.

Atomas stepped to the front of the dais and began his address.

“Beloved people of the Kingdom of Aleghor and Kyrshom, welcome to this circle’s Festival of Kelaspin!“

Atomas paused briefly as if expecting applause but there was none.

“This is the day when we all give thanks and gratitude for the favor of the gods. We pay homage to our friends, the Order of Keln who continue to demonstrate their expertise in living in harmony with the land. All over Aleghor we have yet again had bumper harvests this circle.”

The people remained silent knowing that Atomas was simply grateful for the bumper harvests as they served to ensure the treasury claimed more taxes than ever before. Atomas went on saying little more than he said every year. He finally reached the closing stages of his address.

“The kingdom thanks each and every one of you for your contributions and support. In return, we offer this night to you and your families to enjoy yourselves and eat and drink as much as you wish. But do not forget to be home before the tolling of the bells is finished at midnight.”

This remark was an admission by Atomas of his inability or unwillingness to rule despite the taxes that the kingdom levied on its citizens. This reminder brought jeers and boos from the crowd who held Atomas responsible for not being able to offer safety for the residents of the city. They all knew it was within Atomas’ power to do something about the crime, but he was too busy with his own interests to care.

As a result, rule over the Black Cloaks and petty criminals was not enforced. Those who protested too long and loudly about Atomas, were eventually removed by the palace guards. Protestors removal had become as much of a tradition as the festival of Kelaspin itself.

When Atomas’ address was finished, the royal family was seated at the royal table on the dais. Queen Hester was seated on Atomas's left side. Her long red hair was loose and her long red locks fell over her shoulders almost down to her waist. Her face was sprinkled with light freckles on her cheeks and she always seemed to smile despite hardships she endured being married to Atomas.

Atomas’ daughter, Alexa, sat on his right side. She looked more like her mother than her father. Her hair was auburn and she had blue eyes and a smile that was like her mother’s. Eighteen circles old, she was mature for her age.

Hester and Alexa were the primary reason there had been no revolt in the city of Kyrshom or the kingdom at large.

They spent much of their time traveling and visiting with the citizens of the Kingdom and giving to charitable causes which tempered the ire of the citizens. Both Alexa and Hester were dearly loved by the citizens of Aleghor.