Midsummer Festival

The Festival

It was dawn. The light crept over the horizon into Ryse's bedroom on the second story of his family's shop. The young half-elf stretched as he sat up, yawning.

    He got off his bed and made his way to his wash bowl and mirror. He took a piece of cloth and dabbed it in the cool water and washed his face. Wiping the sleep away. Then he ran his fingers through his dark hair, and brushed it passed his pointed ears.

Next he pulled on a white shirt then a plain brown vest on top. Then he pulled a pair of brown jerkins and put on his boots and proceeded down stairs for breakfast. He could smell the food from his room.

He rounded the corner at the bottom of the stairs and into the kitchen. His father, Richard Ashfield, graying hair and short beard. For his age, he was well built and lean, though one look into his dull blue eyes, one could tell he has seen many battles and was just as fit as any young man.

"Morning father." Ryse greeted him, "Where is mother?"

His father looked up from cooking, "Morning son, your mother is out in the garden, praying and meditating."

Ryse nodded as he picked up a piece of bread on the counter and smeared some butter on it. His father passed a piece of sausage from the pan to Ryse, sliding it onto his plate.

"When will you go on duty?" Ryse asked, getting a plate from the cabinet and passing it to his father.

"It starts soon." He answered, taking a plate, "Midsummer's festival begins today. They're going to need every man out there to keep the peace and keep an eye out." He placed some breakfast on his plate and sat down with his son. "Are you and Alyssa closing early to come to the festival?"

Ryse took the plate. "Yes." He said between bites, "our favorite time of the season." He took another bite, "Later I will meet up with Lily, talk with her about working for them between seasons." Ryse put the plate down, seeing a worried look on his weathered face. "I am going to have to, really. We need the coin."

His father sighed heavily. "It has been hard." he looked at Ryse, "I am sorry the military did not work-"

"Don't!" Ryse said, a little more forceful than intended, "That is not your fault." He took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh "That was my fault. My decision to strike my commanding officer in the middle of training...no one else's fault but my own."

Richard gave a sad smile, "I just...I wish you didn't have to stay in Westmyrk to support us...to be stuck in this shoddy city."

Ryse tried to give his usual carefree grins, "Don't worry father." He patted him on his shoulder, "It is no issue with me. Plus, you know I like to stay busy at any rate."  He slapped his father's shoulder again. "Now, I'm going to check on the herbs and mother."

His father merely grunted, accepting that the conversation was at an end and muttered about getting ready for duty.

Their shop had a fairly impressive garden, especially for a small city like Westmark. It had everything from weeds that ease pain, to flowers to help folk sleep. They had nightshade, , belladonna, cats eye, blackmoss. Mother's connection to nature and their spirits help keeps the plants healthy and alive, even in the winter.

Ryse stepped carefully so as to not to step on any of their herbs or any of their totems. The totems were in the shape of birds and beasts that housed the spirits of the wild and mother's old tribe. When Ryse was young, she would tell him that they would protect them in times of need and keeps the family safe and the plants healthy.

Stepping carefully over the last totem, and approached his mother, Alyssa, who was sitting on both of her knees before a strong, yet young, oak tree. The oak tree was taller than their home.