The Oreans

Chapter 25

Chapter 25
The New Year Mystery

"Cheer up, Alen. Spring is almost here."

Alen looked up as Miel and Erin sat opposite him. Miel fed the fire with the twigs she had gathered from the bushes that bounded the woods while Erin turned the roasting rabbit meat before them. "Are you really sure I'll not get into trouble with this?" he asked faintly.

Miel raised an eyebrow. "Trouble? Of course not!"

Alen glanced at Erin, who seemed uncomfortable as he was. "But I hunted royal game."

"Our idea and with our permission... We have as much right to them as the princess, you know."

"And here I am with you even though my duty is not yet over."

"Loosen up, Alen. Father will understand. I am sure he notices how lonesome you look these days."

"The commander is too busy to care, and so are they." By they, Alen was sure Miel understood whom he meant.

"What is Father making them do?"

"I don't know—haven't asked."

"Well, I guess it's got to do with the festival."

"Likely. I wonder what it will be like—that festival."

Miel shrugged. "I was quite young when I was taken to one, and I can't remember much. All I know is that it starts with an offering rite at the turn of the New Year, right as the moon rises and ends at exactly the same hour of the next day. What about you, Erin? Have you been to one?"

Looking startled at being addressed, Erin's cheeks colored. But she replied, "Yes. Mother used to lead the ceremony with the Queen. Then, there is the parade of flowers in the morning. It's good."

"Flowers?" Alen wondered aloud. "How is that possible?"

"They're brought here from the south I guess," Miel explained. "It's not so cold there."

"We used to have a large hothouse in Lys where Mother cultivated different kinds of blossoms." It was the first time Erin volunteered information. "She had them gathered in time for the parade."

"Do you still have it?"

Erin shook her head. "It was destroyed."

"How—" Alen began to ask, but he caught Miel mouthing 'no'.

"Look, I think these are cooked now." Miel took out a dish from her basket. "Hmmm! Smells good!"

Alen helped her and Erin prepare their picnic feast. Moments later, they were having a heartier conversation over barbecue, bread, preserved fruits and fresh milk. Miel told of her and Erin's adventures in the palace, the things the princess tolerated without the regent's knowledge. Then, he learned Miel's true purpose for bringing them together.

"You want Erin to sketch my portrait?" Alen clarified.

"Yes," Miel replied. "She's good, you know."

"But—"

"It won't take much time. Right, Erin?"

Erin nodded mutely, bringing out a roll of parchment and a small bit of charcoal as Miel fed the fire again.

"You can look right at me or at the lake," Erin said shyly. "Just don't move."

Alen did as he was told and saw the transformation in Erin as she started her work. Her violet eyes were more brilliant now, her hair all the more golden, her cheeks rosier. Oddly Alen was reminded of Divan, Rafim and Adrien, and the thought of them made him feel good and at peace. Gone were his misgivings for their neglect of him in the past few days.