The sound of a bell rang in his head, muting the screams that surrounded him. His eyes were still, fixed on the lifeless corpse whose blood drained into the fountain. But no matter how voluminous the red streams poured, it could not dye even half the pool red. Flowering out of the fountain, the water flowed undisturbed. For what felt like a minute, his life had been paused, wondering what had happened. The colors of his pupils grew bleak until he heard the cries for reinforcements and he was woken, ushered into the scene of panic. Soldiers around him dove into cover, unsure of where the bullet had come from. Screams came from the children who had been playing in the square and had been suddenly scarred by the sight of death. not knowing what to do, some crouched down with their hands over their heads as others curled up on the ground, thinking that they were under attack. Their brave protectors hurled their bodies over them, providing for their cover, before picking them up and carrying them to safety. But there was not one soul there who could say with certainty where safety was. The lieutenant’s survival instincts were switched on and his heart began to race. He saw a girl a few paces by his feet, wailing on the ground, nearest to him, and without a second thought, the boy dashed towards her and scooped her into his arms, then ran to the corner of a building. Sliding into cover, it felt as though another bullet was chasing him, but that was just his paranoia. Everything had happened too quick and his memories failed to keep up. Before long, the square was cleared and all that was left was the body of the mayor. Arminius had his eyes peeled on the motionless body, hoping that he would rise from his mortal wound, even if by a miracle, but he knew better than most then that there was not even a slither of a chance of that ever happening. As reinforcements from the city militia raced towards the square, Arminius realized that, upon finding time to calm himself, he had not yet heard a second gunfire. If they were truly under attack, there would have been many more but the only one that rang out claimed just one life. Judging that it was safe to do so, he lowered the girl to the ground, wrapped tightly around his arm not wanting to let go, her tears trickling down her face like water down an aqueduct. Peeking around the corner of the wall, the lieutenant first scanned his vicinity, and judging by how the mayor fell, he searched towards the southwest where the sun had begun to set. There, in the shadow of light, he spotted the setting of the culprit, not too far nor too near. It was at a distance that an experienced rifleman found easy to land their shot from and there was nothing in between their target and the rifle’s barrel that was taller than the spire of a church.
Knowing that he had to investigate, he searched for comrades who would dare accompany him on his venture. “Is there anyone here who can speak Zhermannik?!” Arminius tried his chances for support, his yell however frightening the girl.
Apologetically, he hushed the girl and brought her closer to himself, but in desperation, he could not have sprinted back to his squad for reinforcements. It was by luck that a soldier came running towards him, shielding his head with his hands, as visibly shaken as everyone else were.
“I can!” A volunteer waved his hand and sprinted across the length of the square in the open.
As thought, the target of the marksmen was the mayor alone when even with such an easy target, the soldier was not picked off. Like many around the capital, his rank plates were plain and his response to the situation had been reflective of his experience. He hurried into cover around the corner of the building and knelt, carelessly showing half his back to the potential killer.
Having determined that he was of higher rank, Arminius issued his first order as an officer for him to translate, “I am Lieutenant Reichner, and I command you to tell your comrades that the capital has been infiltrated.”
Nodding in a panic, the volunteer turned around, forming his hands around his mouth. “D-De ledne’d heer sagen dad hohædliket haupsdad befalled. (T-The lieutenant here says that the royal seat has been infiltrated!)” With all his might, he cried. “Wædrelæter das fer de kapidæng! (S-Send for the captain!)” His voice was quivering but he managed to perform his orders as commanded.
“Also, I need four men on me, including yourself.” Arminius grabbed him by the shoulder.
Scared by this small act, the soldier returned to the lieutenant, his face paled. It was upon finding that it was an ally who called for him when he regained some color in his skin. He nodded, strongly, having understood his role, and despite the one commanding him was several years younger than he was, the volunteer did not question his rank and only did as he was told to. No matter what had befallen him, he knew best to follow orders whenever he was unsure. Shouts for reinforcements persisted and many more voices called out for help, even the townsfolk had come out of their homes to see what had happened but they were greeted by the sight of disaster. Met with the knowing about the death of their respected mayor, their hearts felt strangled and they wept, yet they helped wherever they could, bringing the traumatized children into their shops and homes before their parents could be confirmed, and soon, reinforcements came. Squadron by squadron, soldiers filtered into the square from the nearest checkpoints who heard the initial cries. Friendlier faces appeared and the hearts of men eased except for Arminius’s. As he passed the girl into the care of another soldier who seemed to have a softer voice and lighter hands that finally calmed her, he turned to the church tower that had his suspicion. Eerily there, all was quiet.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu01xChTAa
