The festival

Today marks the 158th year of Zorro's existence. History dates back to 1839. When the kingdom of Zorro was just a plain land located to the west of the Arosi sea . The land was fertile and perfect for vegetation. In Fact, the name of the land was not called Zorro until 1845. Before that, the land was called Arosimos, which is the Greek word for fertile grounds. Arosimos was also nicknamed the fertile basin long before the 18th century. Apart from being known for its fertile land, Arosimos was known for their wild species of Silver Foxes. The foxes had a wide range of population, submerging in the mountainous parts of the land near to the forest. These foxes were not just any animals sharing space with humans, but they were that of friends. Though they were wild, they always gave the sense of actual pets. You could play with them without even thinking for a second that you'll get attacked. They appeared as guardians of Arosimos. Protecting their people and that's why the inhabitants were so appreciative of them.

Then in 1839, all changed when a group of pirates in a small sailboat was spotted struggling in the middle of the sea. A rainstorm was overhead and the waves were flowing roughly. It was extremely windy and cold. The pressure of the water seemed to have broken the thatched parts of the boat making it sink below. 

Luckily, two hunters were about to go fishing when they saw the pirates struggling to pilot the boat. They immediately went to the pirates and tried to make an attempt in saving their lives. However, the pirates were rescued by the hunters and placed in a hut to rest. For the rest of that afternoon, it rained.

After they woke up the following day, they were greeted by the chief and his people. At first they wanted assistance with mending their boat, but within the few hours being there, they had already discovered that Arosimos was perfect for digging their treasure into. Eventually, they asked to let them spend one night sleeping on Arosimos. They pleaded until they finally got the answer they wanted. 

Howard, the chief of Arosimos, was very much concerned about making pirates stay on his land. Howard was a man of his good ways but he always put the interest of his people first. Howard invests his time interrogating the pirates wanting to know their real intentions. There are conspiracy theories and stories about pirates that made them quite untrustable. However, these men really didn't mean much harm as they disclosed why they came seeking a place to crash during the nights and somewhere  to hide their gold.I According to the pirates, they stole the treasure from their captain and were

Iooking for a hiding place for them. Since Captain Calum was a greedy and selfish man; "stealing his gold would teach him a lesson to be fair", the pirates thought.

They were  tired of how Calum treated them so they planned to sabotage him weeks before. Though the land would be perfect for digging, Howard wasnt sure about allowing the pirates to hide their treasure on his land. He was being protective of who may discovery the gold and what they would do to his land if they found it. Eventually the goodness in his heart made him allowed the pirates to dig the treasure into the ground. When they were done digging, they had already allotted two bags of silver. One for them an one for repaying the chief and his people. The chief was grateful of it, but decided not to take it as he could know something was up a head. He walked away and hid behind a tree watching them digging a very massive hole, then placing boxes of gold down into it. The pirates covered it up with dirt, trampled over the land then scatter dry leave over it so it would loon obvious. Apart from howard, no one else knew what the pirates actually came for. Not even his wife nor his son. Since the inhabitants were kind, they treated the pirates with love and care, without even thinking for a second if they meant any danger. 

Before dawn, the pirates left Arosimos on their little sail boat. They left a thank you note and a small pouch right by the drenched fire side. In the pouch there was a golden ring, that glittered and shined bright under the sunlight. The thank you notenread, 'To chief Howard and his people, thanks you for being kind to us; though you may not accept these gifts I want you to take them as a payment for your hospitality" "Wear this ring at all times, for those who wear this has the striking mark of a true leader" 

While across from the west, in the Arosi sea, Captain Calum had discovered the disappearance of his gold and it made him angry. He threatened his army of pirates into telling him who stole his gold. None of them knew about it except George, the old man who was the cook for the crew and great friends of the set of pirates who took the treasure. 

All suspects lead to George and he had to pay the price. Since George wasnt a snitch, calum beated him with a leather  whip until he opened up. George told him everything he knew. Who the pirates were, where they went and why they took the gold. Being the savage calum was, he immediately shot poor old George into the chest five times. calum ordered two pirates to through the body overboard then, turned the ship around heading west. 

By dusk, a massive ship was spotted near the shore, just about to harbour on Arosimos. The ship had a black flag with an white skull in the middle. The flag was shoring high above the ship flowing with the wind. Calum boarded the Island raging with anger. He immediately started searching for his treasure. He even ordered the inhabitants to stay out of his way or they would be sorry. 

However, calum  found no signs of his gold, so he decided to question the inhabitants. He asked them if they saw some pirates hiding treasure on the land and as expected, they said no. Calum became frustrated by my his disappointment and took out his anger on the inhabitants. Calum did not believe the people and was convinced they took his treasure. He threatened and tortured them into opening up, but they kept quiet. So he punished them. The punishment was one that would last their life time. It was slavery. 

The captain ordered the stronggest men in Arosimos to dig the land for any signs of gold  and to hunt for fishes, birds and the Silver foxes. The women were instructed to plough the land for Calum's vegetation. The vegetation were fields of vegetables and fruits. A grape vineyard was also there, producing wine. Captain Calum took over Arosimos entirely, leading it into corruption. The people became frustrated of their leader and how he treated them. After one full year of sufferation, and killing of the people, they finaly planned a rebellion. 

With chief Howard being their trusted leader and guidance. They planned to attack the captain and his pirates on the night of february 11, 1845. They were successful and eventually, they managed to defeat the captain. In the end, many lives were lost in the process. Including the chief's wife and the wild herds of silver foxes. Howard was left devastated by this, and it was what pushed him to end slavery amongst him and his people. After four long years compelled by Captain Calum, the people were finally free. Chief Howard decided to change the land's name to Zorro, marking its revolution. A name that had a tremendous meaning. Zorro meant fox. This new name was devoted to the breed of foxes that the people truly loved. The silver foxes were like friends to the people and their lives were taking brutally. Zorro also signifies a change and new beginnings. A festival was celebrated every year on the 11th of february, since 1845. This festival was held yearly, to mark Zorro's revolution and its freedom for 158 years. This festival was called the festival of Allagi, which was a festival that celebrated dramatic changes. 

Dating back to the present day, October 10, 2002. The people in Zorro were doing their final shopping down by the market. Making preparations for the Allagi festival. The streets, villages and the main town was decorated with colourful lights and shiny confetti all over. There wasnt any place were the colours didnt egnite. Allagi wasnt just any festival celebrating change, it was the day that the first king of Zorro Howard would be remembered. Along with its present king my father Oden. They both, would be honoured and appreciated for their hard work, leading a prosperous monarch.

 Allagi also represented the times in which the grapes would be harvested and made into wine. The best chef's around would be invited to the town square to help in cooking the meals. Those meals included the kingdom's favourite dish, it was  fish stew and grape wine. 

Though it's been a century, they still remained to be the best yet. The festival will begin at sunrise October 11th. By that time, the town will be busy with people walking up about forcing themselves through crowds to come see me and my family. My father, my mother, my brother and I would be seated in a horse carriage with our guards surrounding us. Among all of the celebrations held in Korro, Allagi was my favourite, since I would be praised by my people. I also loved the part where I got to dress up wearing my beautiful gown with matching heels. I liked having shiny jewellery to give my outfit some spice and not to mention, my hairstyle. It had to be on fleek. My appearance was most important during these times as the people of Zorro always admired me for my good looks. While most village girls around my age were often jealous of my luxurious clothes. They thought I was mean, selfish and that I was just  a showoff. I knew they hated me and that's why I had to go all out this year.

During Allagi, the people would run along throwing flowers and rose petals at us. Shouting, "all hail the king, the queen and their children!" The royal family had to pass through the town and villages early so that they would be ahead of the sunrise just as chief Howard did to lead his rebellion.

 After the sun had already peaked over Zorro, the first event would already be done and everyone retreated to their homes. While others returned to the town with their children letting them ride on the slides, or swings or just run about. I normally asked my parents to let me and my brother stop to see the children in the town and then we would go back to the palace. In the evening just as the sun sets, a grand performance would be held straight till midnight . A play would be performed representing Zorro's evolution  then there would be a grand dance. By midnight, a huge puppet, which is supposedly what Captain Culum and his pirates looked like, was mounted in the middle of the town. It was placed exactly where King Howard slayed captain Culum. They stoned the puppets and threw fire at them. The fire will set the puppets ablaze as Howard did to Culum's corpse. Everyone will surround the fire reflecting on their history before leaving. The festival would be finished when the fire was put out, leaving its smoke spreading through the air. This was considered the smell of triumph, according to the people of Zorro.

I remembered stepping up into our horse carriage, travelling our way back to the palace. I was very glad that this year's Allagi was another success. I was so tired that as soon as I entered the palace,  I marched straight to my bedroom and threw myself on the bed without taking off my long silky gown.