PART 12

On his rounds today, several shopkeepers were speaking excitedly about an event at the castle. They were all preparing and helping one another with their formal wear so they could attend with dignity. Dresden listened to their conversations as he passed by them. He had purchased several articles of clothing from the people in the small marketplace of West Sveldin. It did not see a lot of visitors, since many people from the rest of the kingdom avoided this province completely. Like lepers, the people lived nearly isolated from the rest of Sveldin. Livelier places harboured more crime and more dangers. Dresden did not want to attract attention to himself, so going to ground in a place that the rest of the kingdom looked down upon felt comforting.
“Can you believe it? The Flag Ceremony is in three days. I have been waiting all year for this. I sewed Mara a beautiful dress from the scraps I’ve been collecting from the merchants in the Eastern province. She will look so beautiful in it. What will your daughter be wearing? Do you need any help in getting ready?” A robust woman and a gangly, elderly man were sharing an animated conversation in a doorway of one of the humble shacks along the road. The wood framed entrance had a straw canopy over it just large enough to shelter the two from the hot sun.
“Thank you for your generous offer. I want to curl Gerdith’s hair nicely and I haven’t any pieces of material left for that. I have used her dress ties before, but they are too long and cumbersome to work with.” The man was wringing his hands a bit as he spoke. His short hair, greying around the edges of a wrinkled face, gave Dresden the impression that this man was a grandfather. His knuckles were worn from hard labor, and he was too thin for his height.There were so few men here that, since he did not seem able bodied enough to fight in a war, he must have been tasked with watching his offspring’s child if they didn’t return.
The two finished their conversation with happy agreements to make preparations while Dresden continued his rounds. He had taken a liking to a different route than the one he originally created. This path took him to the gates on the Western border where only one guard was stationed to watch. From the right side of the entryway, one could view the mighty ocean across a rocky mosaic of black stone, beaten shiny by the breaking waves. The best sunsets could be viewed from here and sometimes he felt inspired to make the trek in the evening as well. This morning, chill air cut through the sunny day, whipping his face with a misty breeze. He wondered how the guard could stand remaining at his post during bad weather, where such ferocity of the elements could surely drive one away. There were no peaceful beaches on this side of the kingdom; treacherous rocky outcrops reached breaking water that could take the life of a grown man if he should slip. Ships could run aground on such rocks if they came too near, so a signal fire could be lit on a large turret on the wall nearest to the ocean. It lit up the night like a lantern for ships, warning them to avoid running aground on these shores.
Dresden could see how this part of the kingdom was the most defensible against attack from the sea. There would be no way for attackers to gain a foothold along these shores unless they left their ships miles away down the coastline and walked up to the gates on foot. Then they would be spotted by the soldiers manning the walls and shot dead on approach. Dresden was quite impressed by the forethought that had gone into building this kingdom in such a place, and providing what it would need to survive here. He stood there just a moment, quiet enough not to alert the guard, who had taken up a position on the ground and fallen asleep at his post.
Back at the inn for a breakfast of eggs, bland bread and sauerkraut, the innkeeper sat with Dresden at his table and shared a meal. This was not the first time he had joined Dresden for a meal. They spoke comfortably with each other over breakfast.
“Vlad, what’s this flag ceremony I am hearing the folk talking amongst themselves about?” Dresden asked, before shoveling another bite of egg and bread in his mouth.
“Ah, the yearly celebration of our kingdom’s birth and what we stand for. It is the continuation of our hopes for a prosperous livelihood and a chance for the Queen to address her people’s needs or grievances in person. She makes such frequent visits to each province in the kingdom that it is hardly necessary for her to see to everyone personally. We honor our flag and our Queen’s dedication to keeping her people and our way of life safe.” Vlad’s grin lifted his rosy cheeks. Nearly bald, this squat man stood barely taller than Dresden with at least twice the girth and a round, rosy nose that indicated he drank too much of his stores of alcohol when the customers had all left for the night. The cheerful man had become a wealth of information, since he went out of his way to please Dresden as a resident of the inn and genuinely enjoyed Dresden’s company. They even drank together several times, Vlad getting boisterously drunk while Dresden sang bar songs and entertained the fat man with stories from his travels that revealed nothing of his origins or exile.
“So, is anyone welcome at this flag ceremony?” Dresden asked, continuing their conversation.
“Yes of course!” Vlad answered cheerfully. “I will be going. I have a young lady that watches my inn when I need to get away. I don’t get to leave often but she doesn’t go to any events at the castle since her husband died over a year ago. She hates the Queen, but won’t leave this place because she’s lived her whole life here. She doesn’t know anything else.”
“Your barmaid?” Dresden inquired eagerly.
“Yes, Jukie. She is quite attractive still and not so old as me yet.” He raised his eyebrows as Dresden let a grin wash across his face, showing his interest.
“Nah mate, she wouldn’t fancy you I reckon. She is harder on the outside than an angry shoe crab with a temper that rivals giant squid.”
Dresden chuckled openly.
“You think I’m fooling with you.” Now it was Vlad’s turn to chuckle, beer belly lurching up and down with every merry heave. “You go right ahead my friend and try your hand with her, but don’t say I didn’t warn you!” He laughed again before scooping the last of the eggs and kraut into his mouth. While still chewing he added, “come on by tonight, I’ll introduce you properly before you make a fool of yourself and end up getting slapped for your doggery mate.”