As soon as I mounted the stage, the crowd went wild.
Some cheering, some booing. Not many on the fence and either one, did it to the extreme.
I honestly wasn't expecting such an uproar, the cheered surpassed those who booed. And in no time, the boos subsided. For those who booed found their sub commanders cheer and so weren't sure what to do.
The commander stood there speechless, after attempting a couple of time to silence the crowd but couldn't.
I smiled brightly and coughed with hand in front of my mouth: "Ahem…"
My true intention was just to clear throat awaiting the crowds silence, but unexpectedly, they all kept quiet.
I was both amazed and highly please by this.
"Good evening my fellow settlers!", I spoke aloud.
"Good evening sir!", They replied with a much greater respect that they would the commander.
"I would like to start by apologizing to you all; of all ages, from every department, gender and color. If it wasn't made known to you, please hear me now. For a couple of days, weeks or months, even I am not unsure how long it's been…… I haven't been myself. I was like the water, having no control over my own body.", I spoke as I rolled my eyes from end to end.
They listened in perfect silence.
"Just like the water, the boy st……", I said and paused as I recalled mom's definition of a boy.
My hands are now big enough to hold a gun!
My legs are well rooted enough to stand and kill these monsters.
My eyes… they are far from innocent. These monsters have washed off the innocence of my eyes a long time ago.
I bear witness what's in and beyond these walls.
I quickly corrected: "The man standing before you knows not, the number of human lives these hands have taken, this head knows not the number of family he has put in pain."
At this point, I went down on my knees with a hand on my chest as I continued with a loud voice: "but this heart! This heart is sincerely sorry! If it were there at the time, none of these would have happened. But then, you and I might not have been alive right now. But I would say, the losses I have had, the pain I have endured has made me the man I am today!"
As I spoke I and some of the settlers had theirs eyes in tears.
"If I hadn't lost my mom, who knows what building, tree or river I'll be hiding in right now! If it weren't for Mr. March's death, I probably still be loyal to some cruel aunt and uncle. If Mrs. Claire hadn't died, I probably wouldn't be able to use the chains. Please try and understand the message I am trying to convey!", I added.
After speaking I stood up and turned to Xender who was sitted with Helen at the executive chair on the stage.
"I apologize to you Ms. Xender, you've done and given up so much for me and the forth, but we've dissapointed you so much. I am sorry.", I added and turned to Goshen.
"I apologize to you sub commander Goshen and as many as I injured their love ones. Like I said before, I did no such thing willing.", I added.
As soon as I those words the entire fort began to applaud in a solemn and harmonic manner.
As they did this, I searched with my eyes for Mrs. Ping.
As soon as my eyes met hers, I raised my hand and closed my palm.
And just like that the crowd slowly began to watch in silence.
I stepped down from the stage and walked towards her direction as everyone watched in confusion.
As soon as I got to her front, I went down on my knees and was about to speak when I heard Xender's voice yell: "what are you doing?!"
Everyone's attention was drawn to her abrupt shout.
They gave way for her as she hurriedly walked down from the stage and to where I was.
"I can't let you do it alone!", She said as went down on one knee.
I watched her in confusion.
"We came to pledge allegiance to you, as the new Sub Commander of Swords!", Xender said with a bow.
Seeing the flips in Xender's attitude, it was obvious something was wrong.
Everyone stared at her in confusion.
Seeing this, I too bowed and added: "All hail Mrs. Ping, Sub Commander of Swords!"
As soon as I did this, little by the little the crowd began to bow repeating after me.
And when I looked around, they were not many not bowing; among these was the furious Commander.
To be continued……
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