Sparnas

New Year

Sparnas new year was celebrated at the end of the fourth moon at the holy isle of Castrum, with the patronage of the brotherhood was open for all, with a majestic feast, pageantry and other festivities. Winter solstice rituals were done to start off the festivities. The Matron of Igqirha would lead the rites and perform the sacrifices for a prosperous year ahead.

Liath had the use of the Cinza-Harmaa carriage and picked up Gwyn. Her parents didn't want to go, they only joined public celebrations when their attendance was absolutely necessary. Her father preferred reading in his study and while her mother liked wine, she enjoyed wine while being with her husband. Liath had rejected Rosso's offer to pick her up because she wanted her own carriage so Rosso wouldn't have to send her back. She had her chauffeur, Zwarte and her own Cinza-Harmaa guards, Blau and Glas. The guards were loyal men, generations of BlueWings in service of the Cinza and Harmaa clans. Her favorite guard, Blau even had gray spots on his blue wings, one of his grandmothers was a GrayWing from the Harmaa clan.

The normally imposing isle of Castrum was bright with fairy lights and intricate paper lanterns. Colorful pennants were strung from trees and poles. Banners representing the fourteen tribal forefathers of the sparnas hung from the WhiteWing's pavilion pillars. The normal hilly terrain was leveled by the WhiteWing platforms.

She could see the Krylo Brotherhood Grand Lodge behind the WhiteWing's makeshift pavilion. Castrum was privately owned by the Brotherhood. The private isle was held sacred and closed off to any otherWings without a pass issued by the GrandFalconer. Liath thought it was unfair, given to the proximity to the main governing isle of Caelum and the BlueWings military fortress at Castra. Castrum was a very strategic site. Castra and Castrum revolved around the bigger isle of Caelum, like cogs. Effectively shielding Caelum from random attacks. Liath thought that all three of the isles should belong to the public.

As soon as the valet took their carriage, Liath glanced around, looking for Dimma. There was already a crowd there, mostly WhiteWings. They were still busy making sure all the rituals would go on without a hitch. There was a flat raised platform over the snow-covered ground. A lot of blankets and rugs covered the platform, underneath the platform were canisters of heat. Liath told her chauffeur and guards to join the otherWings as the Cinza-Harmaa didn't rent a private gazebo that year.

"Why didn't you just agree to be with Rosso Rooi if you're going to look for him the first moment you get here?"Gwyn said.

"Because I am not looking for Rosso."

"Then who- Oooooh. The grumpy BlackWing Brother."Gwyn teased. "He looked as if he wanted to eat you for lunch."

"He's not grumpy, he's just preoccupied? I don't know, but I'd like to find out."

"He looks scary and that huge scar doesn't help. Maybe he'll look okay if he's not gloomy all the time. I was so scared he would erupt in anger and split the table in two." Gwyn laughed. "He looks like the type you know, short-tempered."

Liath was about to reply when someone called her name. Her smile froze on her face when she saw it was Rosso Rooi, with his whole family, no Dimma. Remembering her mother's words, she beamed her best smile. She grabbed Gwyn's hand in a death grip.

"Lord Rooi, Lady Rooi, Rosso, Liab. How are you?" She greeted them.

"Fine. How are Lord Harmaa and Lady Cinza? I hope they are well. Will you join us in our private gazebo, Lady Liath? Oh, I'm sure your WhiteWing friend has somewhere else to go?" Sometimes Liath wondered how do RedWings get so snobby to the point of rudeness, how could they live with themselves after treating lesser people worse than dirt on their boots that they can scuff off at the welcome mat the moment they came home. Liath could not fathom why they did not feel ashamed of their conduct because she felt embarrassed and she was not the one doing it.