Evanya returned to find her father sat at the oaken table a package lain in front of him. "Happy Birthday Evi," he smiled and gestured at the package. Excited, Evanya ripped it open and squealed. Inside lay a beautiful sapphire, jewel in crusted gown its silk flowed over her hands like water. "You're a woman now Evi, I shouldn't hide you away anymore. But remember," he caressed her face gently," my beautiful, beautiful daughter, I will always be here to protect you. I'm so proud of the woman you've become." Evanya threw her arms around her father. "Thank you!" she gasped and ran to get ready for the feast
Right in the centre of the village was a square which usually stood held market stalls and was the gathering place for monthly town meetings. Tonight however, a great fire roared, the stalls and tables were adorned with wicker decorations crafted in honour of Strighst the god of passion and tables lines the edges of the square laden with wild boar, pheasant, venison, fish, platters upon platters of fruit, cakes, patisseries and honey. Barrels of wine and mead where stacked high in preparation for the night of drinking and frivolity. Musicians filled the night with sweet joyous music the village laughed and danced as the wine flowed free.
With her father on one side and Magmah arm in arm with Ervik on the other Evanya joined the feast which was already in full swing. For the first time she felt normal as the cool night breeze washed over her skin a wide smile appeared on evanya's smooth young face. People stared wide eyed at the flesh embodiment of the cloaked girl, they wished her a happy birthday and complimented her gown. She was a vision. Her raven hair flowed freely around her pale bare shoulders, the sapphire gown clung to her body revealing her seductive figure and the jewels followed the sweet heart neckline emphasising the soft pale white skin of her breasts. Evanya spotted Tarik and Sol on the other side of the square laughing and smiling, she felt something drop in her stomach. Tarik looked as handsome as ever, muscular and tanned in simple brown trousers and a flowing white shirt.
Drums starting beating. Tarik turned and caught Evanya's eye, she felt her knees go weak. Anron stood in front of the great crackling fire, "It's time!" he called to the crowd. A black ornate table was placed carefully in front of Anron along with a bowl. Next a servant placed a long wooden box onn the table. He opened it slowly and carefully lifted out a long curved glass knife and placed it in Anron's out stretched hand. The clear blade turned blood red as it came into contact with Anron's skin it gleamed and danced menacingly reflecting the flames behind him. Anron lifted his free hand and the drum beats stopped. Slowly he raised the knife and laid the cool blade against his hand. Suddenly he pulled down slicing it open blood began to run down his wrist and arm. Anron lowered his bleeding palm over the bowl and clenched his fist allowing the warm life force to drip and pool inside. He raised his head and bellowed to the clear night sky, "STRIGHST PLEASE ACCEPT OUR SACRIFICE!" Snider slowly shuffled to Anron carrying a lamb, he placed it in the table and bound its limbs. The lamb lay their struggling and bleated in distress. Anron bent down and whispered in the lambs ear it seemed to calm for a moment then the cold blade sliced through its throat, the blood spilled into the bowl.
Anron carried the bowl through the crowd of onlookers painting the chests of the virgins in their midst. Evanya could feel bile rising in her throat as the warm blood dripped down her bosom and ran down between her breasts. Silently, Anron returned the bowl to the table and marked his face with the blood, "STRIGHST SEE OUR CHILDREN, MAKE THEM MEN!" The music started again cutting through the silence and and stirred the village into celebration.
Anron returned to Evanya. "I'm sorry my love," he sighed his weather face looking old and haggard in the fire light, "I must withdraw, I'm not as young as i used to be. Magmah make sure she doesn't get into mischief", with that he kissed Evanya on the forehead and returned to their hut. They stood and watched Anron disappear in the crowd, Magmah nudged Evanya, "you know what you need? Wine."
"Magmah no i can't,"
Ervik pushed a goblet into Evanya's hands, "What you're father doesn't know won't hurt him live a little," he winked encouragingly. Magmah pushed him, "Hey your only supposed to flirt with me you know." They laughed and held each other. Evanya watched as they whispered sweet nothings and slipped her wine she felt the sweet warming liquid trickle down her throat.
The music started to slow as raised voices erupted from the other side of the square. A crowd started to form. Ervik squeezed Magmah's arm gently "Stay here i'll go see whats happened" concern in his voice, he bent down and kissed her stomach before racing through the crowd. Curiosity getting the better of them Evanya and Magmah punched their way slowly after him. Pako had grabbed Sol and started dragging her out of the square. "What were you doing with him?" he slurred, "You know you're mine," he screamed spit flying everywhere.Sol struggles against him, "GET OFF ME. NO. STOP." her screams split the air. "Pako, is there a problem?" Tarik appeared from the crowd. Pako turned to face Tarik and lost his grip, Ervik grabbed Sol and puled her into the crowd his muscular arms wrapped around and protecting her shaking body. "Yes i'd say you are the problem," Pako staggered over and spat at Tarik, "Making my woman come to the feast with you do you know how that makes me look?"
"Pako she isn't your woman she left you remember you aren't fit to look after a animal never mind a woman"
Pako's fist shot up and caught Tarik's nose. Blood gushed as Tarik returned the blows catching him in the stomach then the head. Pako fell hard. " Piece of shit," Tarik mumbled ripping his blood stained shirt and held it to his nose to try stem the flow. Dizzy he crouched down against a wall, Magmah came rushing over and shoved a pheasant leg and some bread into Tarik's lap. "Eat it. It'll help stop the dizziness." She rose, "Come on Evanya, don't want to get blood on your gown do we?" she interlocked Evanya's arm and sat her down at a table. "Stay here i'll be back soon," with that she hurried off to her fiance who was now carrying Sol back to her hut. The villagers mood dampened by the fight settled down for the night. The clouds overhead started to gather and darken.
Crunching footsteps grow closer from behind Evanya, she turned to see a bloodstained Tarik approaching her. He uttered a soft greeting and sat opposite her looking at his hands. "I'm sorry you had to see that," his deep voice caused butterflies to rise in Evanya's stomach. To scared to form a sentence she didn't reply. "You look beautiful tonight, your father has a good taste in gowns," he joked, "I'm glad i didn't ruin it, that'd have been awful." Evanya looked up. She had never seen him this close before even covered in blood he was breath taking. It was the first time she noticed his emerald green eyes. They sat in silence taking each other in. As Evanya was about to speak Tarik's eyes shot to something over her shoulder, Alert, he rose and sprinted off. She turned around to see a fiery orange glow growing brighter and brighter coming over the hillside. The warning bell started ringing.
