“I know we talked about attending the festival,” he rumbled when they’d reached us, “but I was thinking later. After we’ve ensured it’s safe.” He dropped his voice so that the rest of the room’s occupants couldn’t hear. “I’m just about to go meet Alastor and Radven as planned.”
“And I promise, they’ll tell you the same thing I have,” Talon said, “That yes—there are extra patrols and a small mercenary troop in residence in the town, but that’s simply due to the increase in beasties we’ve seen in the area. And if any member of the Circle sets foot through the gates, my people will know immediately.”
“I still think we should take precautions with—”
“Oh, let the girl have a little fun. My people will look after her.” Talon threw an arm around my shoulders and grinned up at Octavian. “You have my word, old friend. I won’t let anything happen to her. And if there’s even ahintof trouble, I’ll get her back here immediately.”
Octavian still didn’t look convinced, but when his eyes met mine again, his expression softened somewhat. He must have been able to see how much I wanted—needed—to have a little fun.
“Come on,” Talon teased his friend. “The Oak I knew would never have denied someone the opportunity to drink and be merry.”
“All right,” Octavian said finally, though it looked like it killed him to do so. “But if anything happens to her—”
“You’ll murder me. I know, I know,” Talon said. “Don’t worry, your little Marigold is safe with me.”
34
The Hill Festival
Thefestivalwasbeautifulchaos.
We went together—me, Ary, Talon, Ivo, and a couple of other members of the crew whose names I immediately forgot. The moment we exited the Hill—via an entirely different route than the one we’d come by—it was like we’d stepped into another world, one where the air was music and colors rode on the breeze. The streets were even more crowded than they’d been this morning, and even though it should have been claustrophobic, I instead found myself caught up in the energy of it all, floating along through the river of people, trying to take it all in.
Ary had hooked her arm through mine, which gave me an anchor point. She was cheerfully babbling as we moved through the crowd, pointing out things of interest.
“That shop over there has such beautiful scarves,” she said. “I’ve been saving up for one, but then I always end up buying more knives instead. Oh—that man in front of the butcher’s shop sells the best hand pies. We should get one on our way back.”
Honestly, I was happy to go wherever she led me. It sounded like she had great taste in fun.
“And we’ll need to go dancing, of course.” She pointed upward, and I followed the line of her finger, looking up at the Hill. Up on top, dancers were twirling and spinning on the grass, moving to music we couldn’t hear from here.
“And don’t forget about the pageant,” Talon said, leaning toward us. Several of his birds had followed us out of the hideaway, and now they were swooping overhead, enjoying the freedom of the twilight.
“Yes, the pageant’s one of my favorite parts,” Ary said, squeezing my arm.
I was about to ask what exactly this pageant entailed, but Talon cut me off with a, “First round’s on me!”
That phrase had exactly the same reaction here as it did back in my world, and the crew around us cheered and followed their leader over to a long, open tent with an entire row of casks underneath.
“Nectar all around?” Talon asked over his shoulder, skillfully threading his way through the crowd to where a couple of barrel-chested men were taking orders.
“Uh,” I said as Ary and I followed in his wake. When she gave me a look, I explained, “I don’t really like Nectar.” That was a lie—I actually still dreamed about its sweet, tart flavor, but I was also a little afraid to drink it again, considering the unbearable pain I’d experienced the last time I came in close contact with it. Sure, the pearls around my wrist would probably protect me this time—I’d certainly had no issues with any of the other food or drink I’d tasted since setting foot in this place—but I was still a little gun-shy.
“Get Goldie some cider instead,” Ary called up to Talon, who raised a hand in acknowledgment before leaning forward to yell his order above the noise of the crowd.
And before I knew it, I had a flagon of golden liquid in my hands.
I lifted it to my lips, taking a tentative sip. It was crisp and delicious, tasting of apples and spices.
Beside me, Ary was already halfway done with her cup of Nectar, and she only paused to grin at me. Talon had downed his in a single long swig, and now he was laughing and moving his feet to the fiddle music floating over from the next block. Even Ivo, who’d I’d only ever seen looking grumpy and sour, appeared to be having the time of his life—though maybe that was because Octavian was gone and he had Talon all to himself. He joined Talon in his dance—though he clearly had no sense of rhythm—and stole gulps of his drink every few strains.
It was infectious. In no time at all, my cider had disappeared, and soon Ary and I were dancing, too, swinging each other around and laughing every time we bumped into someone from the surrounding crowd.
“Onward!” Talon announced, throwing his hand in the air. Our little group gave a cheer and followed him down the street, still dancing.
On the next block Ivo bought everyone skewers of smoked meat, which was so tender it melted on my tongue like butter. And then several tents past that Ary bought a big bag of warm, spiced nuts to share. As we moved through the town, I was repeatedly handed new things to try—crunchy honey candy, or crispy pig skin, or fresh bread studded with herbs and slathered with soft cheese. Every bite was better than the last.
The music carried us along, and at any given moment one or more of us was likely to break into dance, grabbing the closest person nearby and swinging them around with us.
