Adventure of Mira

Chapter 6

After hours of traveling the company finally made it to Rookridge where they set up their performance. Rookridge was an average sized town that prospered from trade due to being the closest town to the border. The caravan set up a large tent that could house hundreds of people and have an empty space in the middle to perform. Mira wasn't sure what the performances were and only knew that it was in order to entertain those that came to watch. Corvo was busy preparing for the performance, so Mira approached Linda in order to discover more about the acts that would be performed. Getting her attention Mira asked, "What acts are being performed? What does everyone do?"

Turning towards Mira, Linda answered, "We perform numerous acts, however there are a few that are the main acts. Corvo is, of course, the announcer and ringleader of the show. James does magic tricks and illusions; he sometimes helps with other's performances. Lee does various acrobatic performances along with traditional dancing from his nation. Zara does belly dancing, acrobatics, and contortions. Adjit does various random performances. Now Harley is one of the stars of the show. She does battle scenes, knife throwing, sword dancing, and many other things that involve weapons."

Curious about the one person she didn't talk about Mira asked, "What about you Mrs. Linda?"

"Just call me Linda hon. As for me; I just manage behind the scenes getting everything ready for the acts. I've stopped performing because of a past injury." Linda answered back to the question that Mira asked.

With her curiosity satisfied Mira left and began to wander around the camp. After wandering for a while Mira suddenly heard someone shouting, "Mira!"

Turning around Mira saw James running towards her with a smile on his face. Mira smiled and said, "Good morning! Why are you yelling for me?"

Laughing James said, "No reason. I just wanted to get your attention. Anyway, the performance is about to start. The person that is usually in charge of the entrance desk suddenly got sick. Could you take his place?"

"I guess. What would I need to do?" Mira wondered surprised by the suddenness of the question.

Looking relieved James responded, "All you have to do is sit at the desk in front of the tent and collect the payment required to get in. Once they've payed you give them a bracelet to get in." James explained to Mira while he brought her to the desk.

After she got settled in James left to get ready for the performance. A little while later people began to arrive. The first person approached and Mira asked, "Welcome! How many is in your group?"

The people in the line were surprised to see a young child behind the entrance booth. The first person answered, "Um... four people."

Mira ignored the questioning looks of confusion that were given towards her due to her age. She had them pay the entrance fee, then continued onto the next people in line. After a while the large amount of people that were entering the tent slowed until there was no one left that wanted into the performance. Unsure about what to do now that her job was finished, Mira decided to go sit beside the lake that was a little bit away from the camp. Closing the tent so that no one could sneak in, then she started to walk towards the lake. Once she gets to the lake Mira sits under a tree that had light violet leaves on branches that bended towards the ground. It was beautiful as it swayed in the gentle wind beside the lake. The lake was relatively small and the water shimmered in light of the setting sun. Sitting quietly for a short while Mira heard the sound of foot steps approaching her from the side.

As she was about to turn around she heard a familiar voice say, "Isn't it beautiful?" Confused, Mira turned her head towards who she knew to be Amun. He clarified, "The tree... isn't it beautiful?"

Understanding what was being asked after he clarified, Mira replied, "It is very beautiful."

"The caravan has stopped here multiple times in the past. The tree is called a Weeping Yoshino Cherry Tree" Amun explained. Continuing  he said, "Every time we visit this place I come her to relax."

(This is a real tree and it is extremely beautiful. The picture up top is of the tree)

"It is amazing. I can see why it would be your favorite place to relax. This place just has this spiritual feel to it that drains the tenseness from your body" Mira pointed out. Curious about the reason Amun was there at that moment Mira asked, "So, why are you here right now? Not that I don't like you being here! I was just curious."

Chuckling slightly Amun responded, "I know what you're asking. I just saw you walking towards her and decided to join you."

Mira felt foolish for getting flustered and decided to change the subject by asking, "Why don't we get to know each other? I'll go first! My family has been a part of the Daybloom castle for generations. Where did you come from?"

Agreeing to get to know each other Amun responded by saying, "My dad said that we were originally royalty from a country that has been destroyed. He said that it was named Ardia, after the King that created the nation. What did your family do within the castle?"

Thinking that it would seem insincere to that she was sorry for his loss, Mira instead said, "That is so cool! You're a prince! My family was the closest to the royal family. They were the head servants. Though I was considered too young to learn any of the skills my family knew." 

She felt bad that she couldn't tell him the truth, but she knew that if she did that she would be putting not only her and her sister's safety at risk but also the safety of those in the caravan. The two children continued to get to know each other and talk for a few more hours. They were in the middle of a discussion when they heard a large amount of people talking and walking.

Standing up Amun said, "We had better be getting back. I think that the performance is finished." Amun held out his hand to help Mira up.

Taking his hand Mira rose from the ground. Together the two children headed towards the tent. The last few people were leaving the tent when they approached. Mira and Amun entered the tent and saw everyone putting everything that was used in the performance away. Linda saw the children approaching and asked, "Children, how are you? Did anything happen?"

Amun told her, "Everything's fine, nothing happened. We just went over to the lake and got to know each other."

Looking slightly relieved, Linda turned to Mira and said, "Mira! I'm so sorry that we had you take care of the entrance booth even though you just joined the group. Did anyone give you trouble?" Linda looked apologetic about suddenly forcing the job onto her.

Hurrying to reassure her, Mira quickly said, "It's alright. I understand why you had to do it. Besides it was kind of fun to see all of the people that came to see the performance. Like Amun said before, when I finished we went to the lake and talked."

"Alright. Let us finish putting everything away and then I will start on dinner." Linda responded feeling slightly better about having Mira work at the entrance booth. Dismissing the children to go play while the adults cleaned up Linda went back to what she was doing.