Falling Skyward

Chapter Four: Mazes of Glass

Lana sat tensely, hardly tasting her food through the unpalatable silence. Orrick shuffled the remains of his dinner on his plate.

Direc's obstinacy regarding the carnival had forced her uncle into an impossible position, something Lana could never have managed on her own.

But now, Lana dreaded the possibility of attending the bazaar with Direc. Her objections had been swiftly swept aside. Now she sat at the table, her face as indiscernible as though it had been made of porcelain. Only her eyes stirred, flickering with anger and anxiety. Finally, the men reached a settlement: Direc would escort Lana to the carnival, accompany her the whole night, keep her away from gypsy mischief, and make sure she returned home safe.

"May the icy winds turn from your face and the snows part at your feet," Orrick said as Direc stood to leave. He added, "Lana, please. Take care."

"I will, Uncle," she said, her voice subdued

The sky was bleeding its last and most vivid streaks of color across the sky as Lana, her cousins, and Direc left the house. When Direc moved near Lana, she skipped ahead and grabbed Gailen's hand, holding it warmly in her own until they emerged from the wooded path into the village.

Lana gloried in the liberating strangeness of walking in the dark. Though their winters consisted of mostly darkness interrupted only by the occasional luminescent display of lights in the sky, Lana was unfamiliar with walking amidst it and through it. Rarely was it warm enough to travel at night, except in the heart of spring and summer.

Tents and bonfires blazed in the deserted fields beyond the village's lone street. The firelight shimmered along the dormant shop windows, making the normally bedraggled street appear awake and enchanting. People trickled through the tents and gathered in puddles around the exotic attractions: necromancers juggling fire, caged tigers and pixies, dancers wearing fantastic headdresses and animal skins, acrobats leaping from horses' backs, fortune tellers in glittering costumes. The air pulsated with music and magic that hung like stars.

Lana felt her soul lifting, escaping into the thrill of mystery and the unknowable as she rushed forward. It wasn't until she felt Direc's hand restraining her that her stomach dropped.

"Remember, your uncle doesn't want you mixed up with anything dangerous," he stated, his hand still resting on her shoulder, heavy as iron.

"Of course. Don't be silly, Direc. I was only taking Gailen to play some games." Direc relaxed his grip, the creases of concern on his forehead unfolding.

"Good idea. I guess that's a harmless enough place to start."

"No Lana," Katalia whined. "Those games are so stupid and childish. I want to go see the dancers."

"Well I'm going to see the tigers," added Talen, already turning to join his friends. John followed immediately, calling, "Talen, wait for me."

Lana yelled after her cousins as they wandered into the chaos. "Meet me back at this tent when the fireworks start." She added, "Direc, I'm sure you wouldn't want to be bored with such silly things as carnival games. Why don't you go explore some of the exhibits?"

"No, that's all right."

"I insist. You could go watch a show or taste some new treats and we could meet you back here in a little while."

"No," his voice struck a low, demanding tone. "I promised your uncle I wouldn't let you out of my sight." His arm curled protectively around her shoulder.

The three weaved among the carnival stalls, gazing at the strange prizes that dangled like meat in a butcher's shop. Gailen won a crystal charm for gathering the most golden coins hidden in a tub of corn kernels and a bottle of molasses for throwing apples through enchanted rings that zipped and fluttered through the air like hummingbirds.