“Lord Erlan,” Mizuki said, smiling, “I didn’t know you had returned from the Middle Kingdoms.”
“I arrived just last night,” Lord Erlan said. “Along with another weary traveler,” he grinned, and over his shoulder, Ella saw a tall elegant Elf standing behind him. The crest of the Twilight Throne on hishaorigave him away; this was Ryu’s father, Lord Ogumi Kaito, the Twilight Prince, the ruler of the Darkwalker elves.
Ella’s breath caught in her throat. The regal figure stood tall, emanating an aura of wisdom and authority.
Thehaoridraped gracefully over his broad shoulders, its deep indigo fabric capturing the essence of the night sky. Golden threads traced elaborate patterns, depicting celestial motifs that shimmered in the light. Thehakama, flowing elegantly to the floor, was a rich shade of deep blue, accentuating his commanding presence.
Around his head, Lord Kaito wore the Twilight Crown, a symbol of his rightful place as the ruler of the Darkwalker elves. The crown glimmered with ethereal beauty, crafted with precious metals, and adorned with gemstones that captured the essence of moonlight. It rested upon his brow, the embodiment of his wisdom and power.
Lord Kaito's features exuded a serene confidence, his eyes shimmering with a depth of knowledge and compassion. His dark hair was streaked with silver, a reflection of his age and wisdom. His presence commanded respect, and Ella could sense the weight of his responsibilities as he carried himself with grace and dignity.
As he approached Ella, a gentle smile graced his lips, a glimmer of warmth in his eyes.
Mizuki and Hiroshi gave the newcomer deep bows, which the Elf acknowledged.
“Does Lady Clara know that you’re here?” Hiroshi asked, looking between the two older elves, who shook their heads. “It’s a surprise,” Lord Erlan grinned.
Lord Kaito nodded. “Neither of us were sure if we could make it back in time for the Summer Festival, so we didn’t want to mention it and get Clara’s hopes up.” He smiled as he thought of his lady wife, his eyes gentle.
His keen gaze fell on Ella, and he smiled kindly at her. “Is this Ryu’s human ward that I have heard so much about?”
Ella swallowed, then bowed as she had seen the other Elves do, hoping that she had gotten it right. “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu,” she said, and the smile on Lord Kaito’s face assured her that she hadn’t been too far off the mark.
“Kochira koso,”he said, nodding in return. “Come, let us take in the sights,” he said, smiling kindly at her. Ella fell into step with Lord Erlan and Lord Kaito, as Mizuki and Hiroshi walked ahead of her.
“I am pleased to see that you have kept in touch with Ryu,” Lord Elran said, and Ella blinked.
“Kept in touch?”
“After we visited your village all those years ago.” Lord Erlan said. He looked at Lord Kaito, who was listening with interest. “It was terrible, the way those pirates attacked. I was so proud of Ryu when he asked us to help him save your people by driving them off.” He looked at her keenly. “I hope you did not suffer any losses during the attack?”
Ella swallowed down the lump that rose in her throat. “My parents were killed in the attack,” she said softly. “And my older brother, Thomas…he went missing.” She sighed. “I hope he’s just lost, that he’s still alive and alright somewhere, even if he hasn’t been able to come home. It’s better than thinking that he’s—”
She broke off, and Lord Erlan remained silent for a moment, while Lord Kaito bowed his head in obvious respect.
“Come, let us pray for your parents,” he said, leading her to the shrine that had been set up in one corner of the courtyard.
Mizuki explained to Ella that it was thebutsudan,the household shrine that contained a religious scroll and was used to pay respects to the ancestors.
“We believe that our ancestors arrive to visit us today as spirits,” Lord Kaito explained to her, “and we honor them and pray for their freedom from suffering and the cycle of rebirths, and ask them to continue to watch over us.”
After she had prayed for her parents, and wished that she would find her brother again, Ella followed as the others led her to the stalls that lined the courtyard.
“You youngsters go on ahead,” Lord Kaito said with a smile. “Erlan and I have much to do, and I need to meet Clara and Ryu.”
With quick bows, the three of them left, talking more informally and freely now that the lords had been left behind.
“I seekakigori,” Mizuki said excitedly, grabbing hold of Ella’s hand and tugging her along. Ella followed, bemused.
She watched as Mizuki handed over two coins and took two bowls from the vendor, who stared at her, before smiling hesitantly at her. Ella smiled, nodding back at him.
“Go on, eat up before it melts!”
Ella looked down at her bowl to see that she had just been given shaved ice. It looked amazingly tempting. She tried some and smiled at the green tea flavor that coated her mouth. “It’s good!”
The rest of the night went by in a blur of laughter and chatter as elves young and old gathered to enjoy the festivities. Children darted through the crowd, their faces painted with intricate designs, their laughter echoing like bells.
Ella found herself drawn to the vibrant energy of the games, where participants tested their skills in archery, acrobatics, and other challenges.
