“They get more attention with negativity.”

That was the first sentence the King used in his speech.

They stood at the back of the crowd, hiding beneath the hoods of their dirty cloaks that did little to protect them from the icy air nipping at them. The King’s voice boomed across the massive empty square that was a graveyard of the Market that once flourished with business. He had made an order that all the people of Elyndor were to meet in the square for a royal proclamation, but both Bryer and Kaide knew after his first words that it was going to be more of a royal humiliation.

“If you were a vendor in this market, then you do not deserve any sort of home in Elyndor, as it is a kingdom that represents power and wealth.”

Bryer and Kaide shared a worried glance, both having a feeling that they knew where this was going.
“I now proclaim that if you are not of an elevated class, then you are to be exiled from Elyndor. If you don’t you will be denied any attention from those who are worthy of staying. You will not be allowed to own a home, or walk into any buildings in Elyndor. Lastly, all Elyndorians have every right to punish those who don’t belong if they try to interact with you.”

That was why he had closed the Market. The King wanted to get rid of anyone who didn’t meet his outrageous “standards”.

“If you are to leave, you have until sundown.”

The old and giant gold bell that lived on top of the church rang out three times in response. That left them with about four hours to decide if they were going to stay or leave. How was anyone supposed to pack their whole life up and leave in four hours? It was almost like the King didn’t want anyone to have a chance to escape, and instead wanted to watch them become completely defenseless.

Bryer and Kaide began their walk back to the Fort, making sure no one was following them. No one had ever discovered the Fort and they wanted to keep it that way. When they finally made it to the woodline, They both let out a breath that they didn’t know they had been holding in.

“Should we start packing?” Bryer asked, looking over the cave that they had grown up in.
“Bryer, do you really think I’m going to pack up and leave my home just because some stuck up old guy told me to? When have we ever listened to the rules?” Kaide responded

“I guess not, but I’m just worried about what would happen if they found us. I have no desire to become a punching bag for the wealthy.” Bryer still wasn’t convinced that they should stay.

“Well if you all of a sudden became a goody-two-shoes overnight then feel free to pack up your stuff and leave. Personally, I’m going to start a fire and get nice and comfy on this luxurious cave floor.” Kaide said, a grin spreading across his face. He lit a match and threw it into the pile of wood and dried leaves that they had made before going into town and pretending that they had received the King’s order that morning. Once the fire was burning steadily, the smoke escaping through the small hole in the top of the cave, he sat against the wall and made an attempt at looking comfortable.

Bryer sighed as she began to smile and sat down next to him on the cave floor that was nowhere close to being considered luxurious. They sat by the fire and discussed what they thought was going through the King’s head to influence his decisions, and even what they would do for revenge if they ever got the chance. Eventually the sun started to fall behind the tall Zephyrus trees that stood like pillars around the Fort. That was their queue to put out the fire, and begin to move to the back of the cave where no one could see them. They had stored all of their emergency supplies back there, so they took out the sleeping bags and crawled into them as an attempt to preserve any warmth that they could.

They lay in the dark, the deafening silence occasionally being interrupted by screams that they could only assume came from those who didn’t escape in time. Neither of them dared to even breathe too loud, because they had no idea what or who was lurking outside their cave. Eventually Kaide had the courage to speak up and say, “We should probably try to sleep, we will need energy if we end up having to run.”

Bryer turned over onto her side and released a sigh. Kaide took that as a response and they both closed their eyes. They listened to the rustling of each other’s sleeping bags as they tossed and turned, stopping at the occasional crunch of ice beneath a foot outside the Fort. Unfortunately, terror had such a grasp on them that sleep never came.