Legion's Riddle Trilogy Box Set by K R Sanford

Author:K R Sanford [Sanford, K R]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-11-20T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

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THE FESTIVAL

Seems like everybody else is having fun

I wonder if I’m the only one

Whose broken hart still has broken parts

Just wrapped in pretty paper

Another year has gone by, just one more that I, couldn’t make it home

And they always say, “Have a happy holiday”

And every year I sincerely try

Oh, but Festival, it always makes me cry: ‘(Hmm mm . . . Always . . .

− Kacey Musgraves, 2016

King Devin and Queen Elsinor stood side by side in the regalia of Sovereigns of the Realm. The King raised a hand center stage amid the musicians and dignitaries. He gazed out over the game field to the thousands of spectators and participants. The crowd fell silent. Devin froze where he stood.

He paused for what seemed like an eternity. The crowd sensed something amiss and began to stir. Queen Elsinor turned to the King and spoke a silent declaration.

“Yes,” he said. “Forgive me. As I look out and see all you here today, I am humbled indeed. My soul weeps for the many sacrifices. There have been many sacrifices in preparation for this year Festival of the Shrine. For those who have been able to carry on through great adversity and trial, I say, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Your perseverance has been a great inspiration to me and I know to Queen Elsinor as well. From all us here, we say thank you.

We honor our guests from Earth. We honor our guests from the Middle Corridor, and from the Vega System, welcome. Not to mention our own Marillian brothers and sisters, and of course my own family the Vallians. With a hearty: High Ho! We welcome you now to the Ten Thousand Eleventh Annual ‘Festival of the Shrine’; High Ho!”

The crowd cheered. And, The King raised his hands again saying, “Without further ado. And in those immortal words: Let the Games Begin!”

The band blew the trumpet. The horseman positioned themselves at the starting line. The starting gun rang out. “And they're off.” sang the announcer. A cloud of dust rose in the back forest on Castle Road. Vallians and Marillians were racing down Shrine Village Main. They were heading for the first turn onto Shrine Lake Road and the long stretch around the lake.

“What’s going on?” asked Chris Thacher, matron of Environmental Services.

“The horsemen are off on a grueling four hour race around Shrine Lake,” said Captain Clairy. “The winner receives a gold cup and breading rights for large sums of credits. First place is a big promotional deal all over Ameda.”

“I understand the Vallians and Marillians have been racing for the last ten years?” said Chris.

“Yes,” replied Clairy. “The planet has come into its own, since they started working together.”

“Could they use an environmental service?”

“I’m sure of that,” replied Clairy. “You can make your base of operations here and do very well,”

The crowd erupted on the opposite side of the game field.

“Tomas, what’s happening in back of the bleachers?

“The combat events," said Clairy. "We can make our way over if you have a taste for blood sports?"

“Blood sports,” said Chris.

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