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. For what felt like a minute, his life paused as he wondered what had happened. The colours of his pupils grew bleak until he heard cries for reinforcements. Soldiers around him dived into cover, unsure of where the bullet hailed from. Screams came from the children who had been playing in the square. Some crouched down with their hands over their heads as others curled up on the ground, thinking that they were under attack. Their protectors hurled their bodies at them, providing 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 woke up, and his heart began to race. He saw a girl a few paces to his left, wailing on the ground, and without a second thought, he dashed towards her and scooped her into his arms, then ran for the corner of a building. Sliding into cover, it felt as though another bullet was chasing him, but that was just his imagination. Everything had happened too quickly, and his memories failed to keep up. Before long, the square had been cleared out, 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 that there was not even a sliver of a chance of that ever happening. However, as reinforcements from the city militia raced towards the square, Arminius realised that he had not heard a second gunshot. If they were truly under attack, there would have been many more, but the only one that rang out had claimed just one life.
Judging that it was safe to do so, he lowered the girl onto 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 seeing how the mayor fell, he searched the southwest, where the sun had begun to set. There, in the shadow of the light, he spotted where the culprit must have made their shot, not too far nor too near. 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 accompany him on his venture. “Is there anyone here who can speak Zhermanner?!” Arminius tried his chances. His yell, however, frightened the girl.
Apologetically, he hushed her, but he knew 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 was.
“I can!” A volunteer waved his hand and sprinted across the length of the square in the open.
As Arminius thought, the target of the marksmen was the mayor alone, for even if this volunteer had made himself an easy target, he had not been gunned down. Like many around the capital, his rank plates were plain, and his response to the situation had been reflective of his lack of experience. He hurried into cover around the corner of the building and knelt down, carelessly showing half his back to the potential killer.
Having determined that he was of higher rank, Arminius gave his first order as an officer. “I am Lieutenant Reichner, and I command you to tell your comrades that the capital has been infiltrated.”
Nodding in 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. “W-Wædrelæter das fer de kapidæng! (S-Send for the captain!)” His voice was quivering, but he managed to do as commanded.
“Also, I need four men on me, including yourself.” Arminius grabbed him by the shoulder.
Scared by this small act, the soldier turned to the lieutenant, his face pale. He nodded, understanding his role, and despite the soldier commanding him being several years younger than he was, the volunteer did not question his rank and only did as he was told.
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. Having found out that their respected mayor had been killed, their hearts sank and they wept, yet they helped wherever they could, bringing the traumatised children into their shops and homes before their parents could be confirmed.
Soon, 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 handed the girl over to another soldier, who had a softer voice and gentler hands that finally calmed her down, he turned his attention to the church tower that aroused his suspicion. Eerily there, all was quiet.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZ5ZqgC3CA
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