They arrived at the Hawk’s Head and Aloisia led Tristan to the back room where their families and friends had gathered. Far more gifts were now piled beside the cake.
“Happy Name Day!” everyone shouted in unison.
Tristan pulled her into a hug. “Thank you for arranging this.”
“What are friends for?”
He released her and began moving around the room, embracing everyone and thanking them for coming. Aloisia headed to Fynn, who passed her a tankard. Tristan’s niece, Annette, bounded in circles around the table with her father, Klaus, chasing her. Soon, both Tristan and Fynn had joined in the game, each catching her and throwing her up into the air.
Ida, Tristan’s sister, rolled her eyes. “She is never going to sleep tonight.”
“Alternately,” Aloisia said, “she will be so tired out, she sleeps soundly all night.”
“Definitely the preferable option.” Ida laughed.
After a while, Annette slowed and dropped off to sleep on Klaus’s shoulder.
As was tradition, Tristan cut the first piece. Once done, Brighde sliced the cake and passed it out with Ida’s help, setting aside a small slice for Annette which they wrapped up for the next day.
Kaja drifted back and forth from the back room into the bar throughout the night, often bringing the bard and a few ‘friends’ with her. She got Aloisia up to dance, along with Tristan and anyone who would allow. Even Annette awoke at one point, with a second wave of energy, to join in the dance with Klaus and Fynn.
Ida and her family were the first to leave, with Annette slung over Klaus’s shoulder, sound asleep. Shortly after, the priests followed, and none blamed Tristan for remaining longer on his Name Day. Then Fynn and Brighde left, with Ma in tow, and Brighde double-checked Aloisia had the spare key with her. One by one, the guests went home, until only Kaja, Tristan, and Aloisia remained.
Though, courtesy of Kaja, their party was growing again by the minute. The bard was playing whatever songs she wanted, and she was dragging everyone up to dance. Tristan and Aloisia leant against the doorframe, watching her work the room.
“How does she do it?” Tristan chuckled. “She could charm a starving man out of his last bit of bread.”
“Stop standing there and join in!” Kaja waved them over.
Aloisia downed the dregs of her tankards and grabbed Tristan’s arm, sweeping him into the dance. “We must do as we are bid.”
“Divines protect us if we refuse.” Tristan smirked, spinning her across the room.
Aloisia and Tristan tumbled out of the tavern together, leaving Kaja to her entertainment, each with an arm wrapped around the other to keep themselves upright. They weren’t quite drunk, but they certainly weren’t sober. Her mother had always said a drunk priest was an affront to the Divines, though Aloisia had never much read into that. If the Divines didn’t want their priests drunk, then wine should not be part of the ceremonies.
The flames of the streetlamps cast a golden glow upon the road, intermingling with the stark silver of the moon streaming between the clouds overhead. As they traipsed across the cobbles, the night grew quiet as the raucous merriment of the tavern became distant. Only their footsteps remained, along with their muffled giggles every time Aloisia tripped and almost brought them both tumbling to their knees.
On the third occasion, she tipped sideways towards a nearby wall, pulling Tristan with her, as entangled as they were.
“Steady on!” He braced a palm upon the bricks, managing to catch himself and Aloisia before impact.
She leant back against the wall, covering her mouth to stifle her laughter. Tristan’s arm was tight around her waist as he held her to him. The scent of spiced wine was sweet on his breath as it tickled her face.
“Can I trust you to walk the rest of the way, or shall I have to carry you?”
She waved away his concern. “I’m fine. I can walk.”
“Are you certain?” He drew away, keeping an arm wound about her. “Just mind your steps. I don’t need a concussion on my Name Day.”
Aloisia giggled. “Worry not. I shall be careful of your head.”
“And the rest of me, if it please you.”
“Perhaps it does not.”
“Then Divines protect me.” He chuckled, supporting her weight as they continued down the street.
The night air prickled with a chill the day hadn’t possessed. Aloisia linked an arm around Tristan’s torso, leaning into his warmth. Their breaths puffed out in soft white clouds, and a shiver rolled through her. The further they went, the icier the air became.
