Far in the distance, along the outskirts of the city, were lines of massive floats, with dancers high in the rafters swinging gracefully like angels. Even from where Killian stood, he could see the elaborate costumes and the trailing fabrics of red and orange and gold the performers and their creatures wore. Each float seemed to be illuminated by their own personal sun, lanterns of multicolored lights drifted around them, casting the perfect spotlight for the acts.
Kade had come to a grinding halt once the massive crowd had come into view, his jaw slack with awe.
Killian had nearly run into him, almost toppling them both over.
Pressing closely to Kade’s back, Killian’s arm snuck around to press against the center of Kade’s chest. He could feel every breath and beat of the younger elf’s heart. “Not good with crowds?”
“I’ve never seen this many elves in one place before,” said Kade, breathless.
“No one in Netyere can pass up a good party. Overwhelming, isn’t it?”
Kade nodded. He looked frazzled.
Having been thrown into this life as well, Killian understood what a big adjustment it was. Turell was barely a blip compared to Ingara on a good day, andthiswas an entirely different beast.
Killian was glad that he could be Kade’s guide. That he hadn’t had to miss this because he was stuck at work.
“Stay close to me,” Killian whispered in Kade’s ear.
Kade turned his head to meet Killian’s eyes. “Always.”
Grinning, Killian caught Kade’s hand and led them into the masses.
They picked their way through slowly, stopping at every stall that caught Kade’s eye. Killian was free with his coin, gladly ridding himself of it in exchange for everything Kade picked up. The small collection of items Kade was carrying had begun to grow, as did the spark in his eyes with every bundle of herbs or trinket he gathered.
Killian filled his own bag with treats, savory snacks and desserts and drinks. For later.
After they had spent hours in the markets, Killian broke the moment. “My errand.” Kade’s smile wavered. “The vendors are close. It’ll just take a moment.”
“You go. I’ll stay here.”
Killian hesitated. He wasn’t sure that was such a good idea. It was so easy to get swept away in the crowd..
Seeing Killian’s dilemma, Kade rolled his eyes and shovedhim away. “I’ll be fine! I’m not a child.”
“Stay on this block, Kade. I mean it.”
Kade groaned. “Gods, just go.” Killian made it two steps before Kade threw himself after him. “Wait! Give me some gold before you go.”
“Greedy.” Killian liked it.
Kade was in heaven. There was so much to see, so many new scents and sounds. Elves and humans and dwarves mulled together in ways he’d never seen before.
The music grew louder the more he wandered towards the heart of the square. He couldn’t quite place the tunes, but they sounded familiar somehow. Perhaps he’d heard them in Sila’s tavern when wandering bards would often pass through Turell on their way further south, singing of their travels and their adventures.
Drawn to the shops of trinkets pushed to the sides and down alleyways, some no more than a mat strewn on the ground, Kade stopped when he saw specks of gold out of the corner of his eye.
Magic.
En.
“You have good taste,” the young merchant elf said when Kade knelt to get a closer look at what he was selling. There was a drawl to the way he talked, a subtle slurring of his vowels. The boy wore a beaded shawl and matching headband, the patterns much like the ones that were braided into the charms that he was selling. He had sharp features, his jaw and nose were both long and pointed, with big golden eyes. His ears were longer than the elves of Netyere, they stuck out, nearlyreaching the back of his skull. “A good eye.”
“Where are these from? They don’t look like they’re from Netyere.” Kade picked up a charm, it had orange and black beads woven into the leather braiding. He could feel the magic coming off of it in waves.
“They’re not,” the boy said proudly. “They’re from Valle. Blessed charms from the priestesses at the temple of the goddess Sorena.”
Valle, the human kingdom that shared Netyere’s border. There once was a long standing peace between the kingdoms, a bond built on trade and longstanding respect. It wasn’t unheard of for elves to leave Netyere in favor of settling in Valle.
