Egalan Vivon

Chapter one

I stood there, my heart pounding with excitement and anticipation, taking in the sight of egalan vivon before me. The markets were bustling with life, filled with people from every corner of the earth, their vibrant clothes and colorful dialects swirling around me like a kaleidoscope. The buildings were made of mud, stone, straw, and shaped into blocks and huts, some bigger than I had ever seen before.

Suddenly, I caught sight of a girl nearby. She had dark skin and dark braided hair, wearing a dress of white with blue and red stripes on the skirt.

Intrigued, I gathered up my courage and walked towards her, my boots kicking up puffs of dusty earth as I went. She turned to look at me, her brown eyes kind and curious.

"Hello," I said, my voice quivering just a little. "I'm Mira. I just arrived here."

"Oh, hello," the girl said, her voice soft and kind, like a gentle breeze. She looked at me, her eyes assessing me with curiosity. "I'm Zola. Welcome to egalan vivon. Are you here for the first time?"

I nodded, feeling a mixture of nerves and eagerness. "Yes, it's my first time," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's all so... different from where I come from."

Zola smiled, a warm and welcoming expression. "It can be overwhelming at first," she said. "But egalan vivon has a way of drawing you in and making you feel welcome. Where do you come from?"

"I'm from the Slavic and Balkan regions," I said, feeling a sense of pride in my heritage. "My chief sent me here to learn and experience new things."

Zola's eyes widened with interest. "The Slavic and Balkan regions? That's so far away. How long did it take you to get here?"

"Two weeks on foot," I said, a hint of exhaustion in my voice, "and then a three-day boat ride."

Zola's mouth dropped open in amazement. "Wow, that's quite a journey you've had," she said. "You must be exhausted."

I nodded, feeling a wave of fatigue wash over me. "Yeah, I am a bit tired," I admitted. "But it's worth it to be here. Everything is so different and fascinating."

Zola's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Ah, you haven't seen anything yet," she said. "There's so much more to explore and discover. Would you like me to show you around?"

My heart lept with excitement at the offer. "Yes, please!" I said, feeling a sense of adventure stirring within me. "I would love that."

Time goes by and as Zola and Mira continue to explore the market together, they suddenly hear a cry for help echoing through the crowds. It's the sound of a man, struggling to shake off a group of local children who have latched onto him. The girls exchange a glance, wondering what's going on.

Curious, they make their way through the crowd and spot the man in the distance, surrounded by a horde of chattering and giggling kids. Some are clinging to his arms, while others have climbed up onto his back, and it seems like the man is starting to lose his balance.

"Omar?" Zola calls out, her voice cutting through the clamor.

Omar looks up, a mix of relief and amusement on his face. "Oh, hi Zola!" he manages to say, his voice slightly strangled by the children's weight. "Having a bit of a problem here."

Zola and Mira exchange a knowing look, trying to hold back their laughter at Omar's predicament.

"Looks like it," Zola agrees, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "Need some help?"

"Please!" Omar pleads, his tone half-joking and half-desperate. "These kids are like barnacles, I can't get them off!"

The kids laugh and shriek, seemingly having the time of their lives while Omar is starting to look a bit weary.