Chapter 33: Time for Change

The largest building in Harmony, in terms of square feet, is the Guild Hall. The building can seat over 1000 Harmony members. It's also where the kitchen is and where all meals are made. It's a lively building, and many members eat and converse here. There's always something going on inside. 

The sound of music travels around the building. Easton hears it while approaching.

"Ugh. I came late because I wanted to eat in peace. What the hell is going on in there?" He enters the Guild Hall. 

A band plays in the far corner. Even though there aren't speakers, the music echoes perfectly in Easton's ear. 

The tables are full. Easton walks past them all on his way to the front. 

"Sorry young boy! Out the way," says one member as they bump into Easton. He wipes his shoulder.

"Sheesh. They should build another hall. It's so crowded." He scans all the members inside the Guild Hall. A sea of light blue, grey and navy blue attire fills the seats. Only a handful are wearing different clothes, like Marie-Jane and Consus, who sit at a different table on a second-story balcony. 

Easton makes it to the front, where Mehaki stands with a chef hat.

"Easton! You're late," says Mehaki

"Hey," Easton sheepishly looks down after the comment.

"I heard you're a protector now, meaning you have to eat on time!" Mehaki dishes a plate of chopped potatoes, a hash brown, and some pumpkin. She hands it to Easton. "Eat up! And tell me what you think afterwards." 

"Thanks. I will." 

With the hall full, Easton has trouble finding a seat. He searches for a spot until a hand pops up.

"Easton! Over here!" shouts Israr. He's at a table with Kiran and Emily. Easton sighs and reluctantly walks over.

"So Mr Grumpnose decided to wake up huh?"

Easton grips his plate tighter. 

Emily laughs and takes hers, Kiran's and Israr's plate. "I'll take these back. I need to help Anu. It was nice meeting you, Israr!"

"You too, Emily!" Israr waves when Emily leaves. "She looked oddly familiar, but I think I'm remembering wrong." 

He asks, "Why didn't you talk much, Kiran?"

"Oh… you know, you two seemed to have fun chatting. I didn't want to interfere," Kiran rubs the back of his head. 

Israr leans forward. "You know, if you like a girl, you should-"

"Easton! You should eat! That's what you said earlier right, Israr?"

"Right!" Israr turns his attention back to Easton. "Come eat! We need to go to training soon." His eyes sparkle. "I can't wait!" 

"What training?" Easton stares at his plate of steaming food. 

"I received this letter at my cabin this morning." Israr lifts it out of his pocket. "It said to meet the Director of Defence after breakfast. I don't know who put it there, but you two should accompany me!" 

"Hmm. Sounds promising. This protector gig might not be half bad." Easton eats. His eyes widen. "These flavours… they're blending perfectly! It's so tasty! Is this how it tastes when it isn't cold?"

"Hey everyone! Joseff is returning!" A Harmony member from the stage with the band yells. The music stops and cheers follow. 

"Does everyone always get this excited when someone returns?" asks Kiran. 

Israr responds, "I heard from some members Joseff always brings something when he returns."

"So everyone's excited because this place is boring. Gotcha," retorts Easton. 

"Nothing wrong with being excited! It makes life more interesting." Israr grins and slaps Easton's shoulder. Kiran sits stiffly after this. 

"Grr…" Easton continues eating.

Kiran looks confused. "I thought Easton would've yelled after that?" 

"Hello everyone!" shouts Joseff. He enters the Guild Hall and the focus turns to him – especially Marie-Jane's focus, who notes a girl standing next to him with an orange-coloured jumpsuit. 

"What is that man doing?!" thinks Marie-Jane while biting through her wooden mug. 

"I found another newborn everyone! 2 weeks after the Cycle ended! So she's special. I want to introduce you all to Clara!"

Joseff pushes the girl next to him forward. A blonde girl with hair braided neatly. "H-Hi everyone. It's nice to meet you." 

Joseff pulls her back behind him. 

"We will do proper greetings at another time! I have something fun planned. I just wanted everyone to see her, so be nice to her!" 

"Okay!" 

"This song is for you, Clara!" shouts a band member.

The room becomes lively again. 

Kiran stares at the girl, only having a glance at her due to the other members blocking his view. "She seems oddly familiar…" 

"Can we go now? The music is giving me a headache. It's too loud." Easton returns from taking his plate to the back. 

"I like your manners, Easton." Israr smiles and stands up.

"Of course, I have manners. I'm not a feral animal." 

"Even the wildest of animals can act polite. That's a quote I read in one of the books." Israr steps out. "Let's go train, you two!" 

Breakfast ends as our group goes to receive their training. Before that, a meeting in Marie-Jane's office takes place. 

"What the hell did you think Joseff?! Introducing Clara to the entire guild?! WITHOUT RUNNING IT BY ME OR CONSUS!" 

Joseff sits across Marie-Jane. 

"I mean, Consus seems fine with it." Joseff looks over to Consus, who lies on the branch outside again.

"THAT'S BECAUSE YOU MADE HIM THAT ALOOF!"

"I think he was already that aloof." 

"DON'T PISS MY OFF FURTHER JOSEFF!" 

Someone knocks at the door of the office. Clara enters. "M-Mom… is everything okay?" 

Marie-Jane breathes out and composes herself. "Yes, sweetie. Everything's fine. Wait outside, like we asked."

"Did Grandpa Joseff do something wrong?" 

Joseff chuckles. "Many things. Come here." Clara walks up and hugs Joseff. 

"I'm scared here. I've never been here…" Clara clings tightly to Joseff. 

"Just because I wasn't here that much, doesn't mean I don't know you, Clara. Don't lie. You've sneaked here many times," says Marie-Jane. 

"And recently more at that," quips Consus from outside. 

Clara hugs for a bit more in silence. Then she lets go and folds her arms. "Well, it gets boring in that cave, even with everything there."

"I still remember Mehaki's reaction when she found you 2 years ago. Haha!" Joseff hugs the pouting Clara. He then looks back at Marie-Jane. "Easton's been training near her cave. She's been around Kiran a lot the last few days too. It was only a matter of time before she got caught." 

"Well, you all were going to let him die. His body is not as strong."

Marie-Jane concernedly asks, "What do you mean? Is he like you?"

"No. But… I saw him. He was struggling… like how I struggled. I just did what helps me." Clara lifts her shoulders. "I dunno."

Marie-Jane sits with her hands in front of her. 

"Joseff. That concerns me. I think Israr took them to train-"

"I told Israr to take them." 

"What did you do, Joseff?"

Joseff grins. "Clara already told me everything about Kiran. I knew he would want to be a protector, so I already asked for the training to be prepared."

"What the hell are you putting them through?" 

"Nothing I won't put myself through."

"So hell."

"Heh heh," Joseff smiles widely. "We need to resolve this animal problem as soon as possible. It's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured."

"I agree." Marie-Jane nods. "Then I guess hell is what we need." 

"We shouldn't worry. It's the Director of Defence himself, after all." 

Israr, Kiran and Easton sit in front of a tree. An old man wearing light blue and grey sits on a stump. 

"So you three are the ones I have to train?" The old man observes each one in front of him. "Hmm. This seems promising." 

Kiran notes he has a light grey moustache and the same coloured hair, in the same style as Anu's. 

Easton stares at the old man. "Is this… the Director of Defence?" 

"N-No way…" stammers Israr. Kiran looks at him. 

"What's wrong, Israr?"

"Nothing… nothing at all." 

"Then why are you mumbling like a buffoon." 

Israr's smile beams wide. "You guys wouldn't know this as newborns, but sitting right in front of us is a modern-day legend." 

"Huh? This old man, in a red rank Guild, is a legend?"

"I'm also confused. Who is this?" 

Israr grips his pants tightly. "That's Ebbot, the man who's lived 1000 years. A former Guild Leader of Sharmeija. He's the longest reigning Guild Leader in Sharmeija's History."