Bells were ringing throughout Bannock, calling the people to the great
fortress of Montefort. The mighty
home of the D'Honaires rose up from the Great Hill that dominated the
center of the city. The people
came as the bells bid them to but no one knew why they were being summoned,
and whatever it was that
they thought was going on none of them could have been prepared for what
the Duke was about to tell
them.
When the people were assembled Duke Dred stepped out onto the large balcony that overlooked the public plaza of his castle. Men and women were crowded everywhere, filling the plaza and overflowing into the streets and squares beyond. Some jostled for space, others waited patiently if uncomfortably, but all were intent upon the castle of Montefort and the grand balcony where their liege now stood before them. "My people!" Dred shouted, his voice clear and proud. And the people wondered at this, for although the Duke had made few public appearances since the death of his son it was known to all that Dred's grief had cut him to the bone. And yet here he was, as commanding and vigorous as he had been before Lord Fred had marched off to his doom. "I have called you all together here to announce that the Faire of Celebration begins today!" the Duke declared jubilantly, surprising everyone. The Faire was not supposed to commence for another few days. Tents and stalls and stages were still being put up throughout the city and the festival decorations and ornaments were not yet all in place. The people were dumbfounded by this announcement. "And it will indeed be a Celebration!" the Duke continued. "For he whom we thought dead has returned to us, hale and whole! Hear me my people, my son did not die in that evil den where the Dragon was slain! He lives! And after much travail he has returned!" And with that Lord Fred stepped out onto the balcony. There was a gasp, and then silence. Time seemed to stand still. And then, like the roar of a mighty river, a cheer rose up from the crowd, deafening and triumphant. It was now Fred's turn to speak and, when the crowd had quieted down some, he addressed them using simple words both solemn and brief. If he seemed reserved in the face of the crowd's adulation no one remarked upon it; the people understood that the grim endeavor Fred had undertaken had not been an easy or light one. When he was done the people again roared with applause and loud acclaim. And then the Duke and his son left the balcony and moments later a procession made its way out of the Castle Montefort and from there into the streets of Bannock. In the lead was the Duke himself, Fred by his side. The Duchess Champlaine and Lady Rowena were close behind. Keeping in step with the Duke and his retinue trumpeters sounded their horns in a victory march. They went by foot, not by carriage as was normally the custom. This put them right in the midst of the jubilant crowds, just as Dred wanted. The return of his son was not cause for celebration for the Family D'Honaire alone, the whole of the Duchy had reason to rejoice. And rejoice they did. The crowds shouted out as Fred walked by, hands reaching out to touch him, voices calling out his name. Their fallen hero had returned, their favorite son had come home.
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4/18/2002 9:29:20 PM
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