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A Pandemic Occurrence
By: Evelyn Sanchez and Veronica Hernandez
Chapter One: The Day Begins
By the blacksmiths home, a teen sat, crouched down on the
side of the road. His clothes were torn and dirty, not unlike countless
others who were affected by the disease. His coal black hair was tangled
with dirt and twigs, but he didn’t seem to mind. His violet eyes were
alert, taking everything in as he watched the road. His name was Xavier.
He had lost his family to the disease and now, he sat, watching those
unaffected by it as the royal carriage rode by. Xavier was mad; they had
nothing to worry about, nothing to lose from this disease. They were
protected…
Thank the gods I didn’t have to burn the damn place, Xavier thought as he unknowingly ran into the same alley Arro did. He was surprised when he saw Prince Arro crouched down behind some tapestries.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” Xavier taunted as he reached
down to grab Arro.
Arro looked up at him, scared. “W-what are you doing?”
Back at the hut, the King watched the building burn to a crisp.
“We are finished, my lord,” a guard said.
“Great, now let’s get out of-“ The kings words were cut off by the appearance of a band of thieves.
“Go, my liege!” The guard shouted. “We will fight them off!”
“Will do!” the king shouted and quickly ran towards the carriage. “Go!” he ordered the horseman. When they were away from the scene, the king relaxed. “Oh my, that was a close one. At least we are safe now. Onto the next village,” King Henry looked around. “Prince Arro? Prince Arro! Stop the cart! My son is gone!”
“No can do, my lord. Those bandits are on our tail,” the horseman said.
“NO!” The king yelled in dismay. “My son!”
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Xavier grabbed Arro’s chin. “Looks like a little bird fell out of his
nest, eh. Hello Prince Arro,” Xavier said as he watched the carriage
leave. “It looks like daddy’s left you.”
“What a wonderful person you are,” Xavier sneered. “I have no respect for you or your king!” Xavier’s voice rose. “While he sat away SAFE IN HIS GOD DAMNED CASTLE, his people DIED! He didn’t care at all! He didn’t try to help! My friends died! My FAMILY DIED! MY PARENTS! MY BABY SISTER!”
Arro grew angry upon hearing Xavier’s words. What? How dare that peasant say those things to my father? It isn’t his fault his family died. Arro carefully walked around the carriage, having difficulty moving in his thick robes. Huh! What are they doing to that poor boy! My father would never allow this! Where is he?
Meanwhile, the guards were walking back outside. “Your majesty, there is nothing inside save for some welding equipment,” One of the guards said.
“Nothing?” the king said in a disappointed tone. “Nothing at all? That’s a shame.”
“What do we do with the boy?” The guard asked.
Both he and the king looked down at Xavier in disgust. “Do away with the
poor creature. Kill him and burn this place up, will you? It reeks of
sickness!”
Xavier jumped up smirking. “If you want to kill me, you’ll have to catch me first.” He slid between two guards and ran towards the carriage.
Oh no! They’re coming this way! Arro thought as he ran into the alley and hid behind some old tapestries. He didn’t want to see his father’s reaction if he was found out that he, Arro, had disobeyed orders.
Three guards were chasing after Xavier. “Get back here you disrespectful
sick heap!””
Xavier glared at the king, and then turned his eyes to the guard. “No, that was my father. Why are you here?”
The guard cleared his throat. “We are here to collect your remaining weapons for our travels,” he said. “You have failed to turn in your taxes for the past three months. The usual punishment for that would be the stock; however, the king is feeling lenient today and is willing to let you go in exchange for your supplies.”
Xavier sneered at the guard. “Go to hell. You know as well as I that there haven’t been tax collectors in months.”
A few guards drew their swords half way, but returned them to their sheaths at King Henry’s quick order.
The guard who was addressing Xavier, however, snickered in response to Xavier’s words, “You better show a more respectful demeanor, peasant. We are being very merciful on your hide.” The guard drew his sword and this time, the King said nothing. “Now get your master, the benevolent King Henry, the supplies,” The guard gave Xavier a sarcastic smile. “And we can all be on our way.”
Xavier rolled his eyes at that. What an idiot, the black haired teen
thought. Then, he formed a plan; one that he hoped would scare the King
and his guards off.
“Do you really want to touch me?” Xavier asked. “Look around and think
about it.” He was talking about the few people stumbling around the
street that were obviously ill, the smell of death that lingered in the
air, the X’s drawn across doors that marked families who had died from
the disease.
Xavier groaned in pain causing the guards face to contort in disgust, but his features were quickly composed. “Nice try, little brute, but the royal guards have no fear of the plague. We have one duty, serving our Mighty King and our only fear is displeasing him.” With that the guard walked in front of Xavier. “If you aren’t going to give us the supplies willingly…. Well it would be a shame to take them by force and cause more blood to spill.”
Sure you don’t fear it, Xavier thought. He clutched his chest and started coughing. “Oh god, I-I thought I would be okay.” Fake tears poured down his face as he coughed some more. Xavier stumbled forward and tripped. He fell on top of the guard and started coughing violently, straight into the guards face.
“Uggh!” the guard groaned, pushing Xavier off him and onto the ground. He put his sword against Xaviers throat. “Men, seize him while we get the weapons!” Immediately, five men pointed their swords at Xavier.
Xavier gave then a sarcastic grin. “Oh yes, isn’t this fair: five against one. Not to mention that I’m a poor, ill peasant who is utterly defenseless. Yes, I can see the benevolent nature of the King and his oh so kind guards.” Xavier sneered. “You’re all pathetic.” Then he shouted towards the building, “GOOD LUCK FINDING ANYTHING, BASTARDS!”
Inside the carriage, Prince Arro listened to the commotion outside. What on earth is all the yelling about? If only I could see what is happening. I don’t even know what my own kingdom looks like, Arro thought. He looked at the back door of the carriage. Nothing can be that bad. I’ve been locked up long enough! With that thought, Arro opened the back door cautiously.
One of the guards kicked Xavier. “Shut it, you filthy pile of camel
shit. No one addresses the king in that tone!”
“Father,” Prince Arro began. “I don’t understand. Why are we leaving our home? I never leave the castle once in my life and now that we're finally out, I can't even look outside the window to see what the city is like.” A sad expression formed on Arro’s face.
“Arro, I am doing this for your own good,” King Henry explained to his only son. “Danger lurks outside these walls and I don’t want you near it.”
“But father!” Arro protested. “If I’m going to be king one day, I need to-“
The King cut off his son angrily, “No! Arro, for heaven sakes, do as you’re told and mind your manners!”
Arro looked at his father sullenly. “Yes father,” he replied unhappily.
Xavier, heard their argument and smirked in victory. “I guess all isn’t great for royalty after all,” he muttered as he stood up. “I wonder if they’ve lost anyone…” His violet eyes followed the carriage as it came to a stop in front of the blacksmiths shop. Xavier groaned. This couldn’t be good.
“Arro,” the king said as the carriage came to a stop. “You are stay in the carriage while I do some business.” Henry picked up a mask and put it over his face, to the confusion of his son.
“My Lord, why are you wearing that?” Arro asked, then continued, asking more questions than his father could tolerate. “And why can’t I go with you? I mean if you can go, then certainly I-“
“Arro!” Henry yelled. “You are to stay in this carriage. You are NOT to leave under ANY circumstances! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?”
Arro looked at the floor of the carriage and did a sort-of bow while sitting, “Y-Yes father."
The Kings features softened as he looked upon his son. “I’m doing this for your own good boy.” He placed his hand on Arro’s shoulder for a moment before he exited the carriage and headed to the blacksmiths home with his guards surrounding him.
Xavier ran up to them. “Hey! What do you want?” He yelled, disregarding any respect he was suppose to show the king.
The king looked at Xavier, insulted. He looked over the dirty peasant
and decided that he didn’t want to talk to him, so he turned to the
nearest guard and whispered in his ear what he wished to convey.