Vaehandre: Where The Stars Fall [Under Revision]

Chapter 13: The Harvest Festival

[Photo from Imgur]
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Shortly after the brigade to relieve them arrived, Aiden led his men, Henry and Ingrid, to the castle. He quickly went to tell Lôra about the festival.

She was intrigued by the idea of attending such a celebration. White fairies did not have the need to celebrate anything, a few rituals and memorials, but not a celebration. The pair were so set on spending more time together that the thought of any danger at the festival eluded them. She again glowed as she did in the garden.

Aiden hastily grabbed two cloaks.

"Aiden, wait... I－" She held his hand.

He moved closer to her. "It will be alright. It's just a festival."

Lôra smiled at him.

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The group took an underground passage, which served as an alternate route should the castle ever be taken. They all wore common cloaks to seamlessly blend in with the town folk.

At the center of town was the heart of the festival. As they approached, some people stared at Lôra. She could feel the unfriendly and judgmental looks directed towards her. The gleam in her skin faded.

She tugged on Aiden's cloak. "Aiden, I don't want to be seen here."

Aiden glared at the bystanders. He told Brum to go ahead and to meet up later at midnight. Aiden lead Lôra away from the crowded street

With the group parting ways, Ingrid looked back at Aiden and Lôra. Her lips sunk into a pout.

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Once at fountain plaza, Aiden and Lôra admired the carvings on the fountain's tiers. The water was clear, and coins of varying sized were scattered in its basin. It was the size of a large pond.

"There are five of these around town. The biggest is in the center," said Aiden, tracing the edge of the water reservoir.

"I'm just glad this one isn't crowded."

Aiden stirred the cold fountain water."The main events are back there, we won't be bothered here. Not for a while anyway."

He saw his reflection in the water. His hair was trimmed, much like how he used to look when he was still training. Then flashes of his time working at the carwash rose out from his memories. He stepped away from the fountain.

Lôra moved closer to him. "Maybe this was a bad idea, Aiden. We should go back to the castle."

Aiden glanced at her after he breathed heavily.

Fiddles, bagpipes, flutes, and drums could be heard starting to form a melodic tone from behind them.

Quickly turned his head, Aiden was quick to say, "The dance must be starting." He faced her.