The Anointed and The Brave

Chapter 5 Celebration, Scrappersap and Rest

"I'm surprised that there is no fire that shouldn't be here."

Aloy smirked at Teb's comment. The city was emulating with dancing flames. There were dozens of performers spewing fire out of their mouths and several priests walking with candles chanting prayers to the setting sun in the West. Buildings had floating lanterns next to the doors and windows. Children played with fire sticks that made crackling noises as they ran around their families at the ruined farmland. It was quite illuminating for Aloy to see how much fire meant to the people of Merdian.

"You're right Teb, you would think these people would have buckets of water nearby for emergencies. Or did the Carja fireproof these buildings?" Varl looked at the stitcher beside him and Aloy.

"To be fair, it is quite beautiful," Aloy commented after they passed a well-lit archway in the middle of the village. "Excluding the burnt remains, though."

Even with the celebrations in full swing, the events that happened a few hours ago still lingered. The collapsed elevators and burnt crops were evident of that. But Aloy chose to keep looking at the smiles around her, making her feel a little better.

Looking to her left, Aloy saw Nakoa sniffing the air, "Smells so good here. I can taste the air of chicken and boar. The Carja do know how to make a meal inviting to taste. The question is if it tastes good as it smells."

The other three agreed with her. The group of Nora and Aloy follow the aroma to the long table that the Carja had set up for the feast. Varieties of meats, grains and sweets were placed on the table, and people grabbed what they could.

"What the heck is that?" Nakoa said, pointing to a bowl of small white food.

Teb answered, "I believe it is some sort of grain that was boiled in water. Smells good."

A thunderous laugh came from Erend approaching the group, with alcohol in hand, "that my Nora friend is rice. A main staple of the Carja diet. And a fine dish when placed with pickled boar and dried banana." The captain began scooping the white material on a plate, followed by the boar meat and dried banana. He handed the plate to Nakoa. "Try it! You will want a second serving after you do."

Nakoa looked at the others, with Aloy giving her a smile and a nod to take a bite. Hesitating, Nakoa took a bite, and another and another, "Wow! No offence to Yan's cooking, but this is good."

Erend smirked, "Dig in before it is all gone," Erend collected his plate before leading Nakoa to a table to eat their food. Aloy was observant of the rest of the tribes taking their plates, noticing many of the Banuk passed on the rice. She noticed Aratak limping to a table to eat with his fellow tribesmen. The poor chieftain was wounded during the assault on the spire. Aloy noted to herself to check up on him after the celebrations.

Teb and Varl follow suit to what Erend had taken, but Varl took a few other dishes that he could not tell what they were, but it smelled pretty good to him. Aloy also noted that Varl kept looking in the direction where War Chief Sona's bed was.

Aloy nudged the brave, "I highly doubt she could see you." She took another spoonful of boar meat. Varl looked at her and looked back to his mother's window.

"Mother's trust is not easily earned, and it is more difficult to keep that trust. I just don't want her to worry that I am disregarding our teachings. I know it's not Nora food, but I don't think the goddess would punish me for eating such a fine meal. I just wish she could try to enjoy this new place, its people and the food."

"Don't worry about her Varl, Sona is difficult as they come from our tribe. Trust me, stitching her up was no joke." Teb responded before heading to the table with Nakoa and Erend.