Evergreen [Book 1 of the Hierarchy Series]-Revising

Chapter 3

 Cassia watched the strings of paper lanterns over every street in the city wave slightly in the wind. Even with all of the light, the hearts of the parties were at the squares of each district, most congregating or walking towards the squares. With fountains in the center of each plaza, they all built pyres and large fire pits to dance around. Cassia smiled, enjoying the shrieks of delight and laughter of the civilians below.

From the highest steeple in The Pythia, she could see the entire city surrounding her. Each festival called out to her, inviting her to join the masses below. She desired to join her people in dance and feast, even when warned not to eat a single crumb. Too much risk came with joining them, but she knew it would be worth it. She peered down at her guardian below, wishing he wasn't staring up at her.

Radu waited patiently, observing the streets and above him. He watched over her, but people on the roads kept bumping into him, jarring his attention. He promised to protect her while Tralis continued business elsewhere, but she craved all the smells that wafted into the air.

After a few moments enjoying the cool breeze and the songs of the festival, she peered down at Radu. She caught his gaze momentarily before he peered across the street. He stared at something, but Cassia didn't care what it was. Taking her chance, she quietly jumped from the steeple on the opposite side of the building from Radu, gingerly climbing down the walls of the chapel with ease. Her feet connected with the ground with a soft clunk, her cloak enveloping her from the fall. She shifted it away, sprinting towards Bristle Town, away from Radu and towards the excitement. After making her way down the streets towards the wall, she quickened the pace, holding her arms out for balance as she jumped onto a roof, over the wall, and onto another roof across it. She knew he'd find her before she arrived in the square, but wished he wouldn't.

At the edge of the square, Cassia peered around the corner of a tavern, watching townspeople dance and sing, circling the fires and the fountain as they chanted old tales and songs of glorious saints. Even children participated in dancing, reserved to the corner of the plaza with friends and siblings. Even so, they separated themselves from most of the adults, especially those elated with alcohol. The night was young, and the longer she watched, the adults grew untamed and eager.

A woman crossed paths with Cassia, leaning against the wall nearly an hour into her observation. She approached from a side street to join the party. She stopped, remarking Cassia gazing at her with blue eyes, green and brown darkening them in the dim lantern light. She smiled and held up her palm in an inviting gesture. "Come on! Everyone should enjoy the festivities. You can't just be a bystander. You have to embrace the people."

Cassia hesitated, regarding her. She was a few years older than Cassia, lips thin and eyes dilated from the darkened street she recently appeared from. Her breath smelt of liquor, but she otherwise looked overdressed and well kept. For a woman her age, she must have been looking for male partners. Without other ladies by her side, Cassia knew it could be challenging. Many men enjoyed women who were social. This woman looked rather lonely, hands calloused with men's work. She was slightly bulkier than most women, a trait that didn't help her courting either. Cassia could also guess her parents didn't have money. Otherwise, she would be married, and not have to work.

Cassia took the woman's hand, dragged into one of the chanting circles. Hands still clasped to the other woman, a man broke from the ring and offered his free hand to Cassia. She hesitated, but only briefly as she was pulled into the continuous dancing circle around the fire. She grabbed onto him and followed the lead, nearly tripping over her own feet.

Cassia felt her heart ease for the first time in ages. Everyone's eyes glistened with delight and drunken merriment. Even when her hood fell and revealed her face, no one recognized her. She felt at peace, glad to feel like a stranger to them, but yet someone deserving of a little fun and closeness.