Chapter 1: April 2

The thick robed figure watched for another minute at the people venturing into the blustery night, and then, he resumed his walk. Although he traveled along with the others, his movements were calm and sure without the agitated urgency of the crowd. People passed beside him without taking note of who he was – or that he walked alone. In the crowded streets, some brushed against his robe as they went by, but he did not seem to notice or care. He just continued walking in the same direction as everyone else, retaining his slow, deliberate pace.

Soon he came upon a clear river, which flowed quickly from the lake outside the southeastern wall and severed the western side of the city from the rest of it. As those who dared to risk the windy night came to the bridge of arched limestone, they slowed and bottlenecked onto it. At the bridge’s apex, the traveler could see many more people streaming toward the city’s center from the residential area. Homes and multi-family living spaces surrounded the hill on every side en mass. The streets began filling with an almost suffocating number of people, so the outsider ducked into an alley, which no one else seemed to be using. While he picked his way along the dark passage, he overheard those in the main street speaking in muted tones among themselves.

“It pierces my heart to know that his life is coming to a close.”

“Yes, I know, and to think that this is the fate of man.”

“Why should all men have to suffer this judgment? We should not be held accountable for a mistake made by our forefather!”

“Especially not him. He has led us in good faith. He always made sure everyone was cared for and that justice was not neglected.”

“He is a very good man.”

“This should not be happening to him.”

“He has done no wrong, and who knows what kind of leader his son will be.”

The entire first chapter of The Corruption – Book 1 in The Age of the Watchers – will be published on this blog throughout the month of April!