Matáo crested the final jagged ridge of the falls, his breath coming in steady, practiced draws despite the grueling ascent. He knew this path; it was a ghost-road of his childhood, winding around the bend of the cliff toward the ridge where the Great Sycamore stood like a stoic king. He set out at a trot, the iron-scent of the river mist clinging to his tunic.

  When he reached the clearing, the sight of J?kob sitting by a dying fire, his face a mask of purple berry juice and fresh tears, struck him harder than the climb.

  “What’s wrong, little brother?” Matáo asked, keeping his voice soft to avoid startling the boy. “What are you doing here all alone?”

  “Everyone has forgotten my name-day,” J?kob replied, his voice cracking like dry parchment. “Everyone.”

  Matáo felt a pang of guilt, remembering his own brusque dismissal that morning. “I wouldn’t say everyone forgot.”

  “I would,” J?kob muttered, his eyes fixed on the dirt. “Every soul in that village was too busy to even offer a blessing. They laughed, Matáo. They laughed at me.”

  “The whole town has been scouring the valley for you for over an hour, J?k,” Matáo said, stepping closer. “We had a special day planned, a feast to honor your thirteen years. But… I suppose I can see why you’d rather stay up here moping by a pile of ash.”

  J?kob looked up, his eyes wide and shimmering. “Really? You’re not just teasing me to get me down the mountain?”

  “By the Saints, no. We have a festival grounds prepared with enough food to feed an army and games to test the strongest men. Nìa has been elbow-deep in flour since before dawn; she baked enough cakes for the whole town to have three pieces each. Knowing that lot, they likely will.”

  “I don't believe you,” J?kob snorted, though his posture had already begun to straighten.

  Matáo turned, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Well, believe it or not as you like. I’m going back to the ale and the roasting pits with or without you. If you want to stay here and talk to the trees, that is your choice, but the sun is laying down and the shadows are getting long. If you want to come home, you’d best follow soon. I’ll see you later.”

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  He began to walk away, his ears pricked for the sound of scuffing boots. He didn't have to wait long.

  “Matáo!” J?kob called out. Matáo stopped but didn't turn around yet, enjoying the moment. “Is it a big party? Will there be many people?”

  “You’ll see when we arrive,” Matáo replied over his shoulder.

  “Matáo, wait.” The boy’s voice dropped to a stuttering whimper. “I... I... I broke it.” He pointed a trembling finger at the splintered remains of the ash bow resting by the fire. “I broke my bow.”

  Matáo turned then, his expression softening as he looked at the ruin of the weapon he had helped carve. He knelt, picking up a shard of the wood. “Not to worry, little one. That bow was getting too small for you anyway. It was a child’s tool, and you are leaving childhood behind.”

  “You’re not mad?” J?kob whispered.

  “Why should I be mad? My little brother has finally graduated from his beginner’s wood. I had a feeling this day was coming soon. It gladdens my heart to see you are getting stronger by the day, even if the wood couldn't hold your strength. How did it happen?”

  “I was hunting a rabbit,” J?kob said, his chest puffing out just a fraction.

  Matáo smiled, the golden light of the setting sun catching the amber in his eyes. “Did you get him?”

  “No,” was all J?kob could manage.

  “Well, you’ll just have to claim him next time with a proper man’s bow. We had best get moving; we have a village of hungry people waiting on us. Hurry now.”

  “But I don’t have a bow,” J?kob exclaimed as they began the descent. Matáo simply smiled and said nothing, his mind on the wrapped gift hidden in a hollow tree.

  By the time they reached the village gates, the sun had slipped beneath the horizon, leaving the world in a bruised indigo twilight. The streets were unnaturally silent, the houses dark and hollow. Not a single soul stirred, save for a small, scruffy dog that had been left behind near the well, whining at the moon.

  “Where is everyone?” J?kob asked, his suspicion returning. “Where is the party?”

  “Up the river a ways, silly. We’re nearly there,” Matáo replied.

  As they neared the bend in the river, Matáo noticed that the lanterns had been extinguished. The meadow was a wall of darkness. He realized the village was doubled down on the ruse, waiting in the tall grass. As they stepped into the center of the clearing, the darkness suddenly shattered.

  A hundred lanterns flared to life at once, casting a golden glow over the trestle tables and the dragon cake. Suddenly, a thunderous roar filled the air as the entire village jumped from their hiding places.

  “Surprise!”