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The Herald of Change walked through his prospering kingdom, smiling at all those who bowed his way. It was quite a fine day. He had overseen many wonderful changes in even the smallest of homes. A child had just been baked by cookies who he was sure would make great parents, a young boy had just undergone his Upanayanam, and an elder had just celebrated her age of 100 years. The sun was high in the sky as he moved back to his temple. He would have to tell his dear Jasmine of all the wonders that had happened today. He loved speaking with her about such things.
As he entered the temple, many of his followers and servants would give greetings, which he would all return with a large smile. As he went further in, a young girl shyly approached him. It was Aji Amarillo Cookie, or just known as Aji. She was a young girl he had taken in not too long ago. She was still getting used to living under his care. Quite a shy girl, but he didn’t mind.
He crouched down to speak to her, knowing his height tended to intimidate cookies.
“Aji! Do you need something, little one?”
She looked down to the floor as she fiddled with her golden necklace. She was just too sweet.
“I know you just went out… but… I would like more rasgulla. Mace ate all of it…”
The Herald raised an eyebrow, “Did he now? He must have gorged himself quite a lot. I’ll have to have a word with him.”
Aji stilled, “You won’t… hurt him will you? I’m sure he didn’t mean to…”
The Herald swiftly looked back with a gentle expression to steady her, “Aji, I won’t do anything to him. I’ll just speak with him.”
He had found her abandoned in the desert. He wasn’t sure how she had gotten there, but she was quite battered and bruised. He shuddered to think what this poor, sweet girl could’ve gone through for her to end up like she did.
“You’re right, I’m sure he didn’t mean to take away all of your sweets. I’ll speak with him, and then get some more rasgulla when I go out next.” He spoke so she would look him in the eyes, “And Aji?” He placed a gentle yet firm hand on the top of her head. “Nothing will ever hurt you while you are here. Especially not me. Do you understand?”
She looked up at him with those soft, hopeful eyes that made him want to hold her and never let go, but he knew they weren’t quite there yet.
“I do,” She nodded, “Thank you Mr. Herald.”
The Herald chuckled lovingly, “I told you, you don’t have to call me that. You can call me Fadja.”
She stumbled over herself a little, “R- Right! Fadja…”
He smiled and gave her a few gentle pats on the head before standing up again, “Go on, play with the others. I’ll make sure to bring back some sweets in time for dinner.”
She nervously pressed her hands together, “Actually… the others would like to talk to you too… about food.”
The Herald raised an eyebrow again, “Are we truly that low on stock?”
Aji got all quiet again, seemingly not able to find a good explanation. The Herald smiled and sighed. Children.
“I’ll speak with them. Come, we can walk together.” He held out his lower hand and Aji gingerly took it. He was glad she was warming up to him so quickly.
The two would walk down the carved halls together before they eventually reached a space outside where most of the children in the temple could be found. There were eight children currently playing in the sands. Four were playing a ball game, two were trying to calm a younger third one down, and one was by their lonesome drawing shapes in the sand. All of their eyes immediately lit up when the Herald came into view.
“Fadja!” They all called out as they came over to him.
They all began speaking at once, trying to divert his attention to each of them.
“What did you do today?”
“Can you play with us?!”
“Fadja, Cumin won’t stop crying!”
The Herald chuckled at them, some of them trying to grab his hands, “Alright, one at a time, one at a time!” He yelled out, making them all quiet down. Except for the youngest, which he swiftly scooped up into an arm and began rocking. “Apologies, little ones, but I only came here for requests from the market. I’ve heard we’re wishing for more in the pantries.”
They all lit up and were about to start shouting over each other again before he held up a hand.
“You all know the rules. Line.” The little boy in his arm had quieted down once they were all merged into a neat line. He turned back to the temple and called out, “I suppose those not here right now won’t get a say in any treats!”
One… two… three… four… five…
“We’re coming!”
Right on cue.
Three more children appeared and were about to start shouting requests at him before he put his hand up again and pointed to the line. The three of them groaned as they complied and moved to the back.
The Herald shifted little Cumin to a more comfortable position in his arm before speaking, “Now, you all know all this goes. One at a time, no interrupting, and what you’re asking for has to be found in the market. I love all of you very much but I’m not going to travel across Earthbread to get a sweet treat for you.”
There were some pouts in the line but they all swiftly complied.
He would gladly gather all of their requests until Mace appeared before him. A young and quite rambunctious freckled boy. Before the boy could get a word in, the Herald spoke.
“Mace, are you certain you need anything else after the stunt you pulled?”
Mace’s face burned from embarrassment when he was called out. “You… know about that?”
“Of course I do. Aji told me.”
Mace looked over at Aji before down to the sandstone. “I’m sorry…”
The Herald sighed, “It’s alright. We’ll speak about this later. Just remember to think about others before eating so much. Some other cookie may very well want what you’re eating.”
Mace looked up at him, “I understand… I’m sorry Fadja…”
“It’s alright,” The Herald patted his head, “But you understand why I’m not getting anything for you, right?”
Mace sadly nodded his head.
“Behave better, and I’ll get something for you next time.”
“Understood.”
“Good. Now, move along.”
After he got the requests from the children, the Herald decided he would attend to more of his duties first before going out again. The sun was still high in the sky, he had time. He would be sitting on his throne, overhearing the worries of a local farmer when he saw Mace out of the corner of his eye. The young boy was peeking around the corner at him. He looked… sickly. He would slightly raise his hand to Mace to tell him he would be there in a moment. Once he had given his advice, he would go to check on the boy.
“Mace? Are you alright?” He asked as he rounded the corner.
The boy frowned with his arms around his stomach, “I threw up…”
The Herald frowned and lowered himself down to his level, “The rasgulla?”
Mace nodded in shame.
The Herald sighed, “Well, I suppose you’ve learned your lesson, now haven’t you?”
“Yes…” Mace said, still clutching his stomach.
“Do you think you got it all out?”
“Maybe…?”
“Well, either way, you should still rest.” The Herald would pick up Mace, holding him with his middle arm. “Where did you throw up?”
“Outside… in the play yard…”
“Well, at least you didn’t do it on a rug.”
That got the little boy to laugh a bit.
The Herald would place the boy in his bed and pat his head, “I’ll get a bowl for you in case there’s any more. I’ll be right back.”
He would go into the kitchens, first grabbing a bowl from the cabinets, and then preparing some nice warm ginger ale from the ginger and honey they had stored away. He would sit on the boy’s bed as he delivered it all to him. The Herald smiled softly as he watched Mace sip the ginger ale.
“Do I still have to come to dinner?” Mace asked once he finished.
The Herald shook his head, “Not unless you feel better then. If your stomach is upset you shouldn’t be eating too much anyway. I’ll get someone to send some bread to you if you still feel like this around dinnertime.”
Mace would smile, holding the ginger ale closer to him. The warmth was nice. “Thank you, Fadja.”
The Herald smiled softly, “Of course. No more sweet gorging?”
They both chuckled a little, “No more.” Mace said.
The Herald would give him a kiss on the forehead, causing Mace to squirm a little, before he got up and left the room. He was going to give him a stern talking to before dinner, but he supposed this was punishment enough.