NIGHTS OF HALLOW

”Buy your sweet buns. Your chestnut, sesame, ground beef, chicken and pork, vegetables, and glace cherry flavors at 6 cents only.” The voice of Perdita could be heard loud and clear around the market as she continued to chant while selling her buns.

The market bustled with life as the festive season drew near. The people walked under the hot sun not bothered about the dust that rose slightly in the air as they rubbed their sweating bodies against each other which they didn’t mind.

Traders and travelers in the moving carriages drove past the middle of the market to their destinations. This always caused everyone to stop walking as they cleared by the side waiting for the carriages to pass before continuing on their journey.

The market today was more crowded as everybody was busy buying or selling their goods to both local and foreign merchants.

Among these noises was the voice of young Perdita whose voice rose in an attempt to sell the freshly baked buns in her stall. Women with their children flocked around the stall eager to taste the appetizing buns. And they couldn’t help but come back to buy more.

Her shop was one of the shops that had many people in lines waiting for their turn to buy the buns. Though she was not the only one selling buns, she was the only one that had many customers. And what surprised people was that she was the only one handling the shop and she did it with ease and perfection.

Other bakers had not less than two or three helpers. One or two who helped with mixing the flour and molding them, and the other will be in charge of selling them. This made some people envious of her stall and some started to believe she did more than what she claimed. Some had gone as far as to think she was perhaps adding charm to her buns that attracted people like flies.

But all these went into one ear and flew past the other ear of Perdita. She believed that no one could make her stop her business. And no one did.

Away from the main market and behind the stalls in the market stood two men whose dresses spoke volumes of their social standing. Their dress was in stark contrast to the dirty and crowded village they were in.

”...I still insist that it is not a good idea to come here, Milord. Especially with the way things are.” Spoke one of the men with a frown on his face. He pushed the spectacle that hung on the bridge of his nose up once in a while.

”Hmm,” The second man hummed not bothered by what the other man said. ”You worry for nothing, Daemon. There’s no harm in seeing how the humans celebrate the festive season. Is there?” He questioned as his eyes searched for something or someone among the crowd that gathered at the far end.

”Milord, considering how our kind is not approved and is repulsed by the humans, I insist we head back to the castle till things settled down.”

”Don’t fret, Daemon, no one can overthrow me, Acheron Sthena, from my throne.” He patted Daemon on his shoulder and smiled. ”Now is a good time to hunt quality food. Don’t you think?”

Daemon sighed and shook his head. ”Your majesty knows the best time.” Daemon replied in a little sarcastic tone which Sthena caught.

Sthena grinned and said, ”You do make me want to snap your head sometimes. Come on, let’s see what the humans here have to offer.”

Daemon rolled his eyes and followed Sthena.

”How is the preparation for the Hallow?” Sthena asked as their feet glided down the dusty road where few people were. Some curiously looked at the men who were not from their village.

Daemon walked closely behind Sthena and he almost bumped into a woman. He cursed inwardly and answered, ”The preparation is going as planned. I heard Pristine is on the move again.”

Sthena chuckled as if Daemon said something amusing. ”I know the man will be the death of him just like his son.”

The frown on Daemon’s face deepened, ”The church is with him too. He took the case to them and I believe they will make their presence known in the castle soon.”

Sthena’s eyes moved around the market where the humans were in their hundreds. Some curiously looked at them while a lot of them glared at them because of their red eyes that stood out from their human eyes. Sthena’s lips curled in distaste, if only they knew whom they were looking at.

”Rest assured, Dae, they won’t come till after the hallow. They’re not stupid.”

”What do you plan to do?” Daemon questioned.

”Till then, though I would love to dirty my hands with their blood.” as he said this, the few women around who heard him quickly dragged their children away, hence creating space for the two men to walk.

Sthena cracked his fingers. As if what he said was not enough, he raised his voice loud enough to draw the attention of many people to them. ”I do wish I could pull out some eyes today. I guess I’m too hungry with blood,” He licked his lips in confirmation that he was bloodthirsty.

”Do not forget they are the subjects you pledged to protect.” Daemon reminded.

Sthena clicked his tongue, ”Subjects to protect for my food. Besides they wouldn’t know it’s their beloved king and it wouldn’t be held against me by the church.” His voice turned low only for Daemon to hear. His eyes scanned the area and they fell on the green-eyed human who shouted across the market selling her buns.

Seeing how people gathered to buy it, he decided to try one himself. He turned to Daemon and asked, ”You want some buns?”

Daemon shook his head ”I’ll pass. Thank you”

Sthena glared at him before he walked away and to the famous buns stall.

People who saw him approach immediately moved away and cleared the path for him. Their eyes filled with fear and hatred when they saw his red eyes and they became alert as they closely watched him not knowing he was their beloved king.

Perdita was mixing flour to bake more buns and she did not notice the slight commotion in front of her stall.

Done mixing the different flavors of the buns, she added more coal in the local oven. She brought the tray containing the dough and placed it in the oven before covering it with its cover.

She dusted her hands on her apron and turned around ready to make more sales. That was when she noticed that her customers had moved to a corner and a man with red eyes now stood in front of her stall looking intently at her.