Off The Beaten Path

Check the Guns

It was stunning.

The temporary wooden dance floor echoed beneath her shoes, Gabriel and Ezra raced around in circles. The snow had stopped for the last two days; perfect timing to allow the city to prepare for the Fall Festival. The streets smelled not of piss or death, but of caramel apples and baked vegetables. Dried fruits were being warmed and candied. Fish stands were common, but there were a few true meat stands.

"A little higher!" She called to the man on the ladder.

With a grunt he lifted the banner and hung it, balancing precariously on the ladder. She could feel the excitement thrumming through her. She'd never volunteered to set up before, always too busy staying home with the kids while Tom was out patrolling. He regularly offered to take the shifts of other Military Police members so they could take their partners out or celebrate with their family. She'd never truly been able to enjoy the festivities and this year she was creating them. Her heart thrummed with anticipation as the three hired nannies approached her.

"We've got the whole building ready." One announced, smiling broadly to show off her impressive lack of teeth.

A bar had kindly donated their space for parents who wanted some time alone. A handful of women were being paid by the nobles for their time, however some younger women had volunteered to take a few hours out of their evening to take the kids around to the food stands and games. the activities ranged from dancing to bobbing for squash to wrestling and boxing. Most of the work was done by those who didn't ask for pay.

Bernell couldn't wait to see the place lit up. Erik had promised to meet her at eight and take her dancing. She had developed a tender fondness for the man and she enjoyed his company. It was a comfortable relationship. There was no pressure, no demands, no judgement. She purposely ignored the fact that there was no passion or sparks. She could live with a less than passionate partner if it meant she was comfortable. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then turned to the candles and the holders in the crate by her feet.

"Gabriel, Ezra, come here!" Her eyes drifted to Terra, who was spinning in slow circles, laughing madly when she fell. Bernell grinned softly. "Alright boys, we need to put these up all over this area." She grabbed a holder and a nail, moving to one of the temporary blocks and drove the nail in, then placed the candle atop the holder and stood back. "That's all you need to do." She held the hammer out to Gabriel, "Can you handle that?"

He nodded, his eyes lighting up. She let him snatch the hammer away, laughing as he ran back for more nails and candles.

"Ezra." He looked at her with his colorful eyes, "Would you rather keep an eye on Terra or help decorate?"

"I'd rather watch Terra, Mom." He admitted, shrugging.

"Alright." She ruffled his hair, "But that means if she whines I can't stop to help you."

He frowned, thinking for a moment. Then nodded and bounded away.

She took a moment to look at the rest of the boxes filled with supplies, the women and men running back and forth draping cloth and strings of dried fruit and carefully pressed leaves. Bernell nodded in determination. She would make it look magical if it damn near killed her.

~*~*~*~

Levi stood back from the crowd, watching as the mass of writhing bodies pressed together, shouting and waving money. The betting man slowly made his way around, marking ticks on a poorly lit chalkboard draped over his chest as he shouted out names and numbers to the lad following behind with a scratch pad and lead. The two men in the ring were brutes. The man in red was a lumbering giant of flesh; his muscles hidden beneath the beer gut belied his strength. The man in white was lean and sinewy, tall and muscular. Levi, were he a betting man, would have bet on him. The odds certainly weren't in his favor despite being more agile.