The 27th Day of the 11th Moon

Blood, blood everywhere. I was the first one to the orchard this morning and there he was, blood covering his body and soaking the ground around him. I could not move. I just stood there staring until Franklin came. He grabbed hold of me and took back to the house. I do not remember making a conscious effort to walk, but some how I followed with him. Once back, I just sat there for I do not know how long. I just stared at the floor with the image of Heckla’s body laying there on the ground. I still cannot erase it from my mind. I was able to shake it enough when I heard an even louder commotion outside.

Thinking it was everyone else finding out, I walked out of the house, there he was, cleaned up. An A engraved on his chest. Franklin hurried back over to me and told me to go inside. This time my body refused. I just stared at the A. Maybe Franklin is right. Maybe Alan is after me. I think Franklin was about to pick me up when people started shouting something. We both looked over an about five guards were coming up the path. Franklin pulled on me hard and we both hid the house. He told me I needed to stay here so they do not recognize me. I was too confused to disobey. Franklin sat me back down and I just stayed there. I heard so much noise outside, but I just sat there.

Once things began to calm down, I looked up at the wall and a single thought came to my mind: Cherish. I ignored Franklin’s calls as I ran out the back door. I knew where she would be. I ran to the horse stable. There she was, sitting in the stall with her favorite horse, crying. Her knees were up with her arms wrapped around them and her face was buried in the crevice formed between her arms, legs, and chest. I did not say a word I just ran over and wrapped my arms around her quivering body. She pushed me away, and then once she looked up and saw it was me, she flung her arms around me and cried into my shoulder. I felt a tear at the corner of my eyes, but I knew then I had to be strong for her.

After a while, her crying began to calm and I initially thought she had fallen asleep, but when I pulled back slightly she looked up at me. Tears still covered her cheeks. I leaned in and gave her a kiss. All I wanted to do was hold her and protect her from all that was happening. And I foolishly felt that a kiss would wash it all way, but clearly I was wrong. It did bring a small twitch of a smile to her face for a brief moment though. So it was worth the awkward timing.

Knowing that nowhere was safe, I encouraged her to get up and follow me to the safest place I knew of, with Franklin.

Everyone was invited to dinner in the main hall tonight. Cherish’s father had an announcement for everyone. The hall was large, however seating was limited; many of us had to stand while eating. Even though it was the finest meal I had since leaving the palace, it was not comforting. Apparently King Hargon got word of the murder almost instantly and sent his guards to silence us. No one was to speak about the murder or face being arrested. There was a bit of an uproar from the workers, but Cherish’s father reassured them that he was just as distraught, but there was nothing he could do. It was not his choice for this to be kept quiet.

How did King Hargon know so quickly? After dinner Cherish had whispered for me to meet her in the stables once the Ligal star passed by the moon. That will be soon. I am unsure of how to sneak past Franklin.

I cannot shake the bad feeling I have about all of this….