“Are you excited to select a new young man?” Klyn inquired as we strolled in the direction of the cart with the sugaredbread.
“I am always excited to select a new toy. And the boys are ready for a newbrother.”
“You have a good group of young men. They are obviously equipped to handle your needs,Queen.”
“Indeed, they are,” I proudly said as we each took our sugared bread plates from the woman behind thecart.
“Enjoy your day, Queen Octavia,” the sugared cart woman said. When I thanked her by her name, she smiled widely and looked at Klyn. “Enjoy your day as well, SirKlyn.”
“We will, thank you. I am sure we will be back by your cart before we leave for more bread,” Klyn politely added as we strolled away and toward a bench near the fountain in the square. “How did you recall her name?” Klyn askedme.
“Mother always told me that if I can look someone in the eye and say their name, that I will have made a friend for life,” I explained before slipping a forkful of sugared bread into mymouth.
“Your mother was a very kind soul. I remember her vividly,” Klyn added. “She would be very proud ofyou.”
I laughed and swatted at the air with the hand that held myfork.
“I am serious, Octavia. You rebuiltDrishane—”
“With your help,” Iinterrupted.
“You took on all of the responsibilities of both your father and yourmother—”
“Again, with your help,” Iadded.
“You have carried on some on the most cherished and beloved traditions that were important to your parents.” Klyn gestured outward and around us with his empty plate. “The Annual Drishane Festival was very important to them. They loved giving the townspeople an event and meal that cost themnothing.”
I laughed and shook my head at him before I glanced at the signage that hovered over the circular garden bed memorial for what had been known as the Drishane Massacre. From where I sat, I could read the memorial sign perfectly. I gained the ability to see at great distances with precision due to the venom from Lochlann Mortas. To this day, whenever I think of that name, I am overcome withanger.
“I am quite certain my parents would not approve of the festival now,” I admitted. “Gone are the days of the formal meal and dancing. Now we have festival carts and craftspeople. Witches and warlocks with carts. Depraved acts in corners of alleys and in Madame Kamara’s place. So much to be proud of,” I saidsarcastically.
“Meals and food are still free. Entertainment is free. The education is still free. If it were not for your generosity, this day would nothappen.”
I finished my sugared bread and looked around at all of the townspeople at the festival. Everyone appeared to be having a good time and enjoying the festivities. I tried not to get too close to the crowds though because of my hyper hearing that I also obtained on that dreadful night two hundred years ago. I end up with a headache that pounds for days after the DrishaneFestival.
Klyn and I walked to a flower cart and picked out a beautiful bouquet of a mix of flowers and went to the memorial. I read the carvings in the wood sign that hung over the patch of grass and planted flowers. I had not been surprised to see several bundles of flowers that sat on the grass or leaned against the stones at the edge of the memorial. There had been some candles set on top of the stones, and a child had even put a paper crown in thegrass.
“Do you think Lochlann will come back?” I asked Klyn as we headed in the direction of theshops.
“I do not think so. We have not seen any attempts from him to get in since the massacre. Besides, we are essentially gone to him. If somehow he does find us he will not getin.”
“I know he will not breach the castle. But I do not want another massacre on ourhands.”
“Octavia, we have this conversation every year. We cannot live in the past in order to moveforward.”
“I know you are right, Klyn. I just cannot help to wonder what he isdoing.”
“You remember what Tiara said; Lochlann’s group are thugs and thieves who want nothing more than to live off of what others have. And remember, she cast the protective spell over Drishane that makes it appear dark, or gone tovampires.”
“Yes, I remember,” Iagreed.
“Chances are he has been killed by one of his own, or has moved on from Dreylealtogether.”
Klyn was right. We had not seen or heard from Lochlann Mortas since the massacre. While I would love revenge, I do not want to bring war toDrishane.
“Now, I would like to go see if there is a new book that I have not read yet in the book shop. Are you coming with me?” Klynasked.
“Yes, I will come with you to the boring bookshop.”
