Klera's Point of View
My younger sister's gentle tap jolted me awake. "Wake up, sis!" a small voice murmured, its tender tone a gentle nudge from slumber.
"Were you dreaming again, sis?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
"Yeah, I had that dream again," I replied, referring to the vision I'd described to her last week.
"It was such a good dream, and you interrupted it!" I grumbled, a touch irritated.
Lately, ever since my birthday, I'd been having recurring dreams of a battle, a colossal monster defeated and sealed away. The dreams felt so real; I felt like I was right there, fighting alongside them. I'd always longed for power, so maybe that's why I was dreaming such things. Dismissing the thoughts, I swung my legs over the side of the bed.
My gaze fell upon our small, round mirror on the table. I stared at my reflection.
"Children, let's go! We'll be late for work!" Mother's call from downstairs startled me.
"Sis, come on, or Duke Mariano will be angry again," my sister whispered, already hurrying out of the room and down the stairs.
We weren't wealthy, but our family was full of love. Mother and my little sister Alera, and I were very close, even closer after Father passed away. I promised myself I'd always keep them safe.
Mother and Alera had already left. I quickly bathed and ate the food Mother had left for me that morning. A big task awaited, and I needed to be ready.
Rushing out the door, I muttered a silent prayer on my way "Please, let Duke Mariano be in a good mood today. His bad temper makes us work our fingers to the bone."
Our social standing here was simply "commoner." We served the nobles, like Duke Mariano, a wealthy landowner with a vast estate.
The Pallet Kingdom is structured around distinct social classes, each playing a vital role:
Commoners: Most people are commoners – farmers, peasants, craftspeople, servants, and sadly, sometimes slaves. They do the everyday work that keeps the kingdom going.
Merchants: These are the wealthy business owners and traders. They control the markets and have a big say in the kingdom's economy. Their shop offered magic scrolls, potions, artifacts, wands, magic staffs, amulets, talismans, rings, armors and enchanted weapons and many more to boost yourself.
Nobles: These are the powerful landowners – dukes, duchesses, and others with fancy titles. Their power comes from their family history and the land they own.
Clergy: These are the priests, bishops, cardinals, and other religious leaders—hold significant sway, not just spiritually, but also socially and politically. Their power comes from their religious authority; people listen to them because of their faith and their connection to the divine.
The Arcane Court of Justice: This group maintains law and order, ensuring justice is served through the work of judges, marshals, and prosecutors. The law, punishing wrongdoers and protecting the innocent. Their decisions affect everyone, ensuring the kingdom remains safe and just.
At the very top sits the Royal family—the king, queen, princes, and princesses. They're the ultimate rulers, making the laws, controlling the land and its riches, and holding ultimate power over everyone, even the most powerful nobles. Their responsibility is to protect and guide their kingdom, ensuring its safety and prosperity. But even a crown can't shield them from danger; enemies and rivals constantly plot and scheme, threatening their reign and their very lives.
I arrived at the village square, a short walk from my house. Andromeda's statue was in the middle of the square. A large sign underneath said "Seer Village," named after Andromeda, the Wise Celestial Seer, one of the Pillars.
The village bears the name Seer Village as a testament to the numerous benevolent acts performed by Andromeda the Psychic . My eyes filled with admiration as I gazed at her statue; I'd spent countless hours listening to the stories of her kindness and wisdom, tales passed down through generations, recounting her legendary deeds from 800 years past.
They spoke of a woman who guided the lost, enlightened the confused, and offered solace to the troubled – a true beacon of hope in times of darkness. The statue itself, weathered and worn by centuries of sun and rain, seemed to radiate a quiet strength, a testament to her enduring legacy.
The feeling of reverence was almost overwhelming. I paused, breathing deeply, the scent of sun-baked earth and distant woodsmoke filling my lungs. Then, with a quiet solemnity, I offered my prayer:
"Andromeda, the Wise Celestial Seer of the heavens, we seek your guidance in these uncertain times. Illuminate our minds with your celestial wisdom, and show us the path towards a just and prosperous future. May your knowledge illuminate our souls, and lead us towards a deeper understanding of ourselves and the cosmos. Guide us, protect us, and illuminate our path. Amen."
The words hung in the air, a silent plea echoing across the centuries, a connection to a past that felt both distant and intimately close. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of a nearby tree, a whisper of reassurance in the stillness. I stood for a long moment, feeling a renewed sense of hope and purpose, strengthened by the silent presence of my hero.
"Oh my, I'm going to be late for work!" The realization struck like a thunderbolt . Panic fueled my steps; I run fast, a whirlwind of limbs and determination.
Arriving at the farm field, my heart sank. Duke Mariano was there, conducting an inspection, surrounded by his servants. Quickly gathering my farming tools.
On my way, I greeted fellow villagers with warm smiles and waves, exchanging cheerful "Good mornings" and "Good days."
I grabbed my tools and pretended to work, praying he wouldn't notice me. Then, a voice boomed, "Well, well, well… Klera!" I froze. I turned around. Duke Mariano's eyes were like sharp stones.
"Please, help me, Andromeda!" I silently prayed.
"You're late again, Klera," Duke Mariano's voice boomed, his face a thundercloud of fury.
"I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again," I replied calmly, trying to keep my voice steady. He snarled, his hand resting heavily on his hip.
"We shall see. This negligence shall be added to your already considerable burdens." He then turned his gaze upon the other workers, his voice laced with contempt, " All of you are ungrateful!"
The boss's words hit me like a stone: "Overtime!" His smirk as he walked away felt like a cruel twist of the knife. It was all my fault. My mistake had piled extra work onto everyone else, and the guilt gnawed at me.
But then, Alera, my little sister, hugged me tight. "Don't worry, sis!" she chirped, her bright optimism a lifeline. Even the farmers offered small, understanding smiles; they knew it wasn't intentional.
*Fast forward
As the sun dipped low, painting the sky in fiery oranges and reds, we finished planting. Gathering the tools, I was surprised by the wave of pats on my back.
"It's okay, Klera!"
"We're not mad!"
"Heaven will favor us someday," our village chief declared.
The crowd responded with enthusiastic shouts and applause.
Tears welled up, not from sadness, but from a surge of relief and gratitude. My friends and fellow Villagers were the absolute best. I love how kind and helpful everyone is in Seer Village. It's the best place to live.
Later, Mom's hug was a balm to my weary soul. Watching Duke Mariano's carriage disappear, a wave of regret washed over me.
If it weren't for the debt we owed him two years ago, we wouldn't be in this situation. Our lives would be much better. When monsters attacked our village, the adventurers were too late, causing widespread destruction. Because our village is small and unknown, they didn't care. The monsters trampled the crops, leaving them ruined, and many people were badly hurt.
That's why our village chief made a deal with Duke Mariano for his help.
The house felt like a haven as we arrived. I was so exhausted, I even forgot to eat! I hurried to bed, collapsing onto my mattress. Sleep claimed me instantly, a welcome escape after a long day of hard work and unexpected kindness. My friends' support shielded me from my lingering anxieties.