Chapter 7

  The Festival in the Air

  As summer drew to a close, the air in the mountain village grew restless. The voices of the children and even the movements of the adults seemed to carry a livelier rhythm than usual.

  On the night of the final full moon of summer, the village held its yearly “Festival of the Moon.”

  At every household’s eaves, round dumplings shaped like the full moon were set out, while in the village square an altar was raised toward the sky. There, people quietly offered their own prayers to the moon.

  But once every twenty-five years, this festival took on a special form.

  That was the “Fire Festival.”

  It was said that the fire, the light of the earth, was offered up to the full moon, the light of the heavens.

  Unlike the usual Moon Festival, quiet and solemn, the once-in-a-quarter-century Fire Festival set every heart in the village racing with anticipation.

  In preparation, villagers had busied themselves for days—hauling timber, mending garments, and preparing food. Each person played their part behind the scenes.

  But on this morning—the eve of the festival—the air was more restless still.

  In the central square, poles and banners were raised, bright cloth was stretched across, and decorations appeared one after another for all to see.

  The cloth brought weeks earlier by Maya and Melvil from Nutwood Hamlet had been dyed in vivid red, blue, and yellow. Each time it fluttered in the wind, the children burst into cheers of delight.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Villagers hurried about, calling to one another, their faces glowing not with fatigue but with the excitement of anticipation.

  And at one corner of the square stood a group of unfamiliar figures.

  They were a traveling merchant caravan, long acquainted with the village. Amna, in particular, had built a deep bond of trust over many years with their leader, a man named Fael.

  Beside the merchants rested seven great beasts called Elba, gentle creatures of burden, now sitting calmly while children swarmed about them.

  “Wow, they’re huge!” “Can I touch them?”

  Cheers and laughter rang out, small hands constantly reaching for their soft coats.

  Each Elba stood half again as tall as a grown man, their chestnut fur gleaming warmly beneath the sun.

  They bore no horns upon their heads, but instead long, high ears that twitched at unseen sounds—delighting and startling the children in equal measure.

  Nearby, a young apprentice merchant named Serio showed off a tiny creature perched on his shoulder.

  Called Lolo, it was about the size of a squirrel, darting in circles around Serio’s neck, leaping onto children’s heads and scampering back again in restless bursts.

  The children’s eyes followed its every move, enchanted.

  The adults looked on with fond smiles.

  “I remember seeing those beasts twenty-five years ago.”

  “But that little one—I’ve never seen it before.”

  “Has Fael taken on an apprentice?”

  To them, it was less a marvel than a reunion with old friends. They paused in their work to watch the children or exchange greetings with Fael, savoring the festive air.

  Away from the bustle, Amna sat with Fael, the leader of the merchants.

  Their voices were gentle, flowing easily, as if the long years apart had never been.

  A short distance away, Fael’s aide, Baleon, worked quietly, unpacking their goods. His broad back bent slightly, his hands deft as he laid everything neatly in rows.

  Even while keeping watch on the children’s safety, his hands never slowed. With Serio entertaining the children, Baleon swiftly and carefully completed his task.

  The group moved with unspoken coordination, each filling their role. It was the fruit of long years spent traveling together.

  “Maya! Come here for a moment.”

  Called by Amna, Maya stopped in his tracks.

  There, on a bench, Amna waved to him—and beside her sat Fael, whom Maya had never seen before.

  Fael rose, lifted a hand with a warm smile, and in a gentle voice said, “Hello there.”

  Maya was usually quick to greet anyone with a cheerful voice, but this was the very first time in his life he had seen an “outsider.” Something about him felt different even from the falconers’ clan that had once visited the village. In the end, unable to find his voice, all Maya could manage was a small, awkward bow.

  Fael simply nodded with a gentle smile.

  Amna gave Maya a brief explanation about Fael and his companions, then rose with Fael, saying they would take a walk through the village.

  Maya was unsettled by his own uncharacteristic shyness, yet the festive bustle of the village slowly eased his nerves.

  Around him, children continued to play with the strange beasts, chasing one another through the brightly adorned square.

  The adults pressed on with their final preparations for the great day.

  The sense of the Fire Festival swelled higher and higher, reaching its peak.

  Follow—it would mean a great deal.

  ?If a particular scene left an impression on you, I would be delighted to hear your thoughts in the comments.

  ?Should you wish to support the project further, the Patreon button may be found below.

  Follow or Favorite carries more value than you might imagine, and I treasure each one deeply.

  AI disclosure: I am a non-native English writer and have used AI for partial translation and light editing. No AI-generated prose.