Later that afternoon, the crowd gathered at the central square to witness the drawing of the winning ticket.
Elion and Luppy were standing at the front of the stage to get a front row view. They were enjoying their second serving of burger--- a luxurious snack thanks to Luppy's wits.
In contrast to the brothers, people were holding their ticket tightly between their sweaty hands. Everybody was desperate for their number to be the called.
Only one could win.
Only one could change their fate forever.
A man with a greyish skin tone ascended the makeshift stage, the old wood creaked with his every step. Elion deduced that the man was probably the same age as Brian--- the slumps' leader. It was apparent from the man's black polo, with a logo of phoenix on its breast pocket that he was a royal attendant.
Elion was spot on with his observation.
It was Barn's first official job as the chief royal attendant. He was tired--- not from the lack of sleep, he did not need that anymore. Well, the right term would be stressed. The position was harder to handle than he expected, especially from the pile of things to be done in proportion from the number of his personnel. The palace was in dire need of additional attendants.
Earlier that day, the citizens tore a piece of their tickets and tossed it on the rotating raffle drum.
It was on Barn's hand now on who would be the lucky winner.
The young attendant, who was walking closely behind Barn, ran to the drum and started rolling it. It was rolled more times that needed to ensure that everybody had a fair chance to win.
The crowd tensed at the gesture.
The young attendant stopped rolling as instructed by Barn. The young attendant unfastened the small opening as Barn shoved his hand inside.
"One will die tomorrow." Barn announced as he fumbles through the tickets. "One will rise again."
The crowd cheered in excitement.
Barn grasp a ticket in his hand without looking. He raised the wining ticket in the air as the crowd eyed it with burning desire, hoping that it would be their number that will be announced.
"2.3.7.8.8." Barn bellowed each number loud and clear.
Most bowed their head in disappointment, but a woman's cry of excitement prevailed.
"I won!" A plump woman screamed from the crowd. "I won!"
"Congratulations to the winner." Barn applauded. "May you live forever."
The young attendant descended the stage as he reached out to the plump woman and guided her aside to explain the process.
The two people who bought the tickets from Luppy lost their bet and spent five hundred Rigs for nothing.
Luppy beamed to his brother as he was the real winner of the event.
"I know how you feel. It's in the rule, there can only be one winner." Barn addressed the crowd. "You can leave your future to chance, or you can do what I did." Barn pounded his chest with his free hand. "I. Am. Cured." Barn stood closer to the edge of the stage. "I worked in the palace and was awarded in return." Barn pointed randomly at Elion. "And you could be next. If you work in the palace, you will have a higher chance to drink the water of the gods."
Barn pointed at the closed lottery booth at the corner.
The crowd turned their attention to see where he was pointing to.
"Visit us at our one-day job fair if you're interested." Barn announced.
***
Barn used the lottery booth and made it as a job-fair booth.
Barn did not get out of the palace just to announce the lottery winner. He was out and he might as well use this opportunity to entice young people to apply for a job available in the palace.
Under Barn's guidance, they decided to do a job fair.
Weirdly, those who would apply for a job would always lean on the older side of the spectrum. It was probably because the older you get the more interested you are from the incentive, the incentive to drink the water of the gods.
Barn was the living proof that it could really happen, he was awarded by being loyal to the throne.
But due to unknown reason that even Dr. Natalie could not explain, Barn would always be hungry. He was hungrier than other cured individuals. And he would especially get hungrier if he's surrounded by perishables. Being out of the palace was a trigger to him. In addressing the problem and as prescribed by Dr. Natalie, Barn would always bring brain snacks with him during the urges. He cannot risk attacking people again, just as what he did to the Princess. Barn did not even want to remember that.
Though struggling with his appetite, Barn was determined to hire someone today.
With his loyalty and undying dedication to the Princess, Barn would want to make sure to find the best person as his successor as the Princess' personal attendant.
He prepared flyers specifically designed for the younger generations. He also brought the best-looking attendants to explain and promote how good the life inside the palace was.
But still, the booth attracted older generations. Irritated, Barn ordered for the attendants to specifically bring to him younger people to talk to.
Barn was eating his fried chicken brains to ease his hunger.
As Barn was eating his snack, one of the attendants brought two young fellows.
Barn heard them first. He stood up from his seat and hid his snack in his pocket.
"…as I was saying this is our chief. "The attendant pointed to Barn. "And I'll leave you guys to talk." The attendant smiled as she returned to the crowd, giving flyers.
Barn observed them as he wiped his greasy hand on his jeans. One was too young to work--- he's still a kid. But the other one was at the perfect age to work in the palace. Yes, this was what Barn was looking for. Barn took note to praise the attendant who brought them to him.
"Yes, hi." Barn shook the young man's hand. "You young man, are you interested in working in the palace?"
"Uhm…." The young man hesitated.
"Yes, he is very interested." The kid replied instead.
"Oh really? What is your name?" Barn asked the young man.
"Eli Kaiser" Elion answered.
"And you?" Barn turned his attention to the kid.
"Luppy." Luppy smiled, businesslike, as he offered his hand to Barn.
"Hi," Barn shook Luppy's hand.
Barn felt Luppy's tight grip.
"Wait a minute. Eli Kaiser…" Barn pondered for a moment. "I think I heard that name before. Why does you name sound familiar?"
"I.. er… asked a good friend who's working in the palace to put a good word for me." Elion rubbed his eyebrow as he looked down the floor.
"Oh, now that you mention it. I did ask for recommendations." Barn nodded in understanding. "That's an advantage if you're recommended by someone within."
"You know what," Barn pointed at the chairs. "You guys can have a seat." Barn sat on his chair.
"Okay." Elion obliged.
Luppy sat beside his brother.
"Let's talk…maybe this could be considered as your interview." Barn pondered. "Are you applying too, kid?" Barn asked Luppy.
"Oh, no." Luppy waved his hand. "We were out enjoying the celebrations, but my brother was pulled over. I'm just here to listen. Really, don't mind me."
"It's too bad that you're too young. But you can apply when you're older." Barn winked. "Just say I recommended you and you'll have the job."
"Really?" Luppy leaned back on his chair. "I'll keep that in mind. But I'll only accept the job if the pay's good."
Barn guffawed." You won't be disappointed, kid." Barn held his belly in support. "See you in a few years."
Elion fumbled with his brother's hair. "I'm sorry about that."
"No, no. I like someone practical." Barn brushed Elion off. "Bu for now," Barn crossed his hand over his chest. "Let me see if your brother is any good."
Eli tensed at his seat.
Barn chuckled. "No need to be nervous, we're just two friends talking."
"Okay," Elion nodded.
"So," Barn began. "Have you ever worked before?"
"Yes."
"What was your previous job?"
"Er…." Elion could not say that he kills zombies for a living, he might be banned from the palace. He was not good at making up impromptu stories. He would have prepared a script had he known he would be interviewed.
"He's very good a cleaning." Luppy answered for his brother." He would chase any dirt away and kill them with detergents."
"Yes." Elion nodded.
Barn did not find it unusual that the younger one was the one answering his questions.
Barn made a checklist on his mind. Barn rubbed his chin in ponder. Well, Princess Alyssa needed a good cleaner.
"He's also good at cooking, he can bake too." Luppy was becoming more and more confident with his story. "But you know the best thing about him?" Luppy leaned in closer to Barn. "He's good at keeping secrets." Luppy whispered.
Elion just blinked, allowing Luppy to control the conversation.
"He's not the one to gossip." Luppy added for emphasis.
"Hmmm," Barn observed the silent Elion. "I could see that."
"See," Luppy reached for his brother's hands to reveal his palm. "His hands are rough from working hard. My brother's the best domestic worker out here."
Barn was getting more and more interested with Elion. "Okay, let me tell you that you can confidently go home today and sleep comfortably. I can guarantee you a job. Just wait for a few days for the announcement."
"That's great!" Luppy clapped his hands.
"Just fill this up then you're good to go." Barn handed a pen and paper to Elion.
But Elion just sat there, not knowing what to write. So Luppy stole the paper and wrote false information about his brother.
"Thank you for your time." Barn shook Elion's hand. "Expect good news within a few days, newly hired applicants will be posted on the news board."
"Yes, we'll be waiting. Thank you." Luppy said.
When Barn saw that they left. He placed the young man's paper on the special pile—the pile of candidates for the Princess's personal attendant.
Barn, out of all people, knew what kind of person Princess Alyssa needed on her side.
Princess Alyssa needed someone that's a good cleaner and someone that would make sure that she would not get hungry. But more than that, the Princess needed someone who would not spread gossips about her, someone who would be willing to shut his eyes and mouth for the Princess. Someone who was trustworthy.
Barn might just be a servant, but this was something he could do for Princess Alyssa, whom he loved as his own daughter.
This was the least he could do for her.
Bringing the best attendants from the palace to fish younger candidates was a good decision as they managed to interview more youngsters after Eli.
Just as he had planned, Barn proceeded to personally interview other candidates for the most special position.
***
Elion fisted his hand in frustration. "He was just being polite."
They were sitting face to face at their small dining table. The table could only fit two people---four if they would force it.
Luppy was enjoying his dinner. Luppy was eating more than usual, he appetite had increased when his brother moved in with him. Somehow, the food was more flavorful now that he had his brother with him. Luppy was happy even though he had to share his one room home. It was already a crammed space for Luppy alone, and the room became smaller with Elion's huge frame. But they made it work.
"No," Luppy shook his head. "Trust me, you'll get a job inside the palace."
"I did not answer a thing of his questions, I might fail this mission even before it began."
"No, the palace lost a lot of attendants…" Luppy stopped eating. "including Jake."
Elion softened at the name.
"They're short in workers, they will hire as many attendants as they can. You're place in the palace is already guaranteed. Plus, is there to make sure of that."
"Now that you put it that way….You're right."
"Of course, I'm right! This is my territory; I know how things work in here."
"You're right." Elion relaxed.
Sometimes, Elion would feel bad for his brother was forced to grow up too soon. But it was normal in the slumps, all of them were forced to grow up too soon. So instead of felling pity, all he had now was full admiration for his brother.
"But you might need to practice with your words." Luppy thought. "I know it's hard for you to lie but it's part of your mission."
Elion sighted. "I know."
"Or maybe it would be better for you not to talk at all."
"Yes, that might be a better strategy."
Elion was the most trusted man Brian had. He was a good soldier. But come to think of it, he was never given tasks like this. His missions had always been straightforward. His missions would always be to rescue and retrieve, and that's what he was best at. Not on this lie and infiltrate the palace kind of mission.
Elion was second guessing himself that maybe Jay would be a better fit for the job.
"Jay won't be good." Luppy read his brother's thoughts. "He's too proud to clean for the royal zombies."
Elion smiled, imagining Jay with an apron. "You're probably right."
The brothers cleaned the table and did the dishes. Also, each took turns to take a shower
Elion slept on the tight spaced floor while Luppy slept on the narrow bed. Elion tried to lie on that bed on his first night, but his feet hanged in the air.
Elion was already pondering what kind of zombie this Princess was, what kind of sinister being this Princess was. But whatever she was, he would make sure to succeed on his mission.