The next day was a festival. The people gathered from miles away to come to Revindale–the capital, to buy, sell, dance, share meals, dress up, and much more. Beatrice had only allowed them to go, if they promised to gain a little from it. Weather a new skill, or money.
As they ran through the streets, more and more people showed up. Faith had to do a head-count every few minutes, just to make sure the little ones stayed close.
Just as they rounded a corner, she ran into something solid, thumping to the ground.
"I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, realizing it was a person, hastily scrambling to her feet. Her siblings dashed ahead, oblivious to her mishap. "I didn't see you."
"As you shouldn't have." The boy, probably not much older than herself, replied, laughter in his voice. "It's impossible to see around corners until you turn them, is it not?"
"Y-yeah," Faith stuttered, looking up into his deep hazel eyes. Her heart fluttered for a ridiculous moment, and she scolded herself for it. You literally just saw him—shut up heart.
"I didn't hurt you, did I?" he asked, the lightheartedness of his tone contrasting sharply with her anxious disposition.
"No no," She brushed herself off, deliberately avoiding the gaze that made her heart flutter. "Just distracted. It's a festival, you know."
"A festival!" He echoed with enthusiasm, as if he had never heard of such a thing. "I should have guessed." Faith couldn't decide if he was being sarcastic or not. "You look like you're on a quest, though—safeguarding a troop of little adventurers?"
"Yes, my siblings. They're quite the handful."
"Yeah, siblings can be like that. I've got one older brother," he shrugged. "He left ages ago. Anyways, would you like some help, to find your siblings? Seems they've run off without you."
"Umm, sure." It would be rude to refuse, wouldn't it?
"Great! They went that way," he lead her down a slight slope to the place where most of the markets were.
Faith found herself willingly following him through the throngs of people, weaving a way among stalls selling handmade wares and local delicacies, even though they'd never met. There was something strange about his presence.
"Faith! There you are!" Keal's voice cut through the laughter and music of the bustling festival, a sharp contrast to the lively atmosphere around them.
"Hi, Keal," she responded, spinning around to meet him, her spirit dampened by the sudden shift in his demeanor.
"Who's he?" Keal's eyes narrowed as he glared at the boy standing beside Faith.
"Fionn," he replied smoothly, extending his hand in greeting. However, Keal stood rigid, refusing to break his steely stare.
"Woah, hostile much," Fionn chuckled, retracting his hand. "Is he your brother?"
"Yes, and we have to go," Keal grabbed Faith by the arm and pulled her away from Fionn, his protective instincts flaring to life. Faith glanced back at Fionn, whose amused expression contrasted sharply with her brother's fierce glare.
"Keal, wait!" she protested, though he didn't listen. And she could have sworn she heard Fionn call out, "See ya later!"
As they maneuvered through the crowds, Keal kept a tight grip on her arm. "You can't just wander off with someone you don't know, especially not during a festival," he scolded, his voice heavy with the authority that only an older sibling could wield.
Faith felt embarrassment redden cheeks. "I wasn't being reckless, Keal! He was just helping me find you guys," she defended, wishing to explain that there had been something about Fionn that felt different—inviting and genuine.
"Helping? Or trying to distract you? You never know who you can trust out here," Keal insisted, his eyes scanning the throngs of people as if danger lurked behind every cheerful face. "What if he'd led you away? What if we couldn't find you? You need to focus on your responsibilities."
"I understand the fact that not many people are friendly," she muttered. "But he was different."
"Oh stop it, you have no idea," he hissed. "Your mind is too occupied right now because of a crush. I'm just here to make sure your safe!"
"I'm already sixteen, Keal! Old enough to take care of myself! Leave me alone; I don't need you!"
"Well if you're gonna be like that," her brother pulled her forward sharply, grabbing her other arm and looking straight into her eyes. "How 'bout you go find your crush and run away. We don't need you either, y'know. Never did, never will. You're just as useless as always. So leave."
Faith knew Keal had some anger issues, but he'd never been... like this. She felt her eyes sting, and she pulled away from him. "Fine," she murmured. "I'll go."
"Wait," He called. She didn't look back. He may feel bad about what he said, but he can't take it back. "Wait..."
