Celine grabbed Lyric by the arm, “Come show me what you have to wear for Festiva.”
50
“IS FESTIVA ALWAYS THIS BUSY?” asked Lyric. The village center was packed with people. Everywhere he looked Lyric saw booths and stands with people looking at various goods.
“Yes,” said Celine. “Everyone within a day’s travel will be here today, along with traders from other villages and cities. Because we are in the middle of the Isle our village is a major trade hub. Festiva is a big day for traders, so every farmer, merchant and crafts person sets up a booth or stand today. Later in the evening, all the booths and stands will be gone and the village center turns into a huge dance and social area. The entire center will be lit up in colored lanterns. Local musicians and even some from the cities play all night.”
Lyric looked around, the village was as busy as the dock areas of Winport, but instead of smelling of fish and sea, Middale had a unique and pleasant aroma that changed as one walked. The local bakers and cooks had booths set up selling fresh treats made special for Festiva. The aroma of the tasty snacks mixed with the other smells, leather goods, iron, fresh vegetables. Sweat and body odor, pack animals, and other normally unpleasant smells competed with the more pleasant smells but the overall effect was pleasant. An ever changing blend of smells that challenged the mind to try separate them to identify the sources. Beyond the smells, the thing that intrigued Lyric the most was the mood of the crowds. Even among the loud voices bartering and bantering over prices the tone was friendly and festive. “It’s almost overwhelming, yet everyone seems happy. I don’t mind crowds like this when everyone is smiling.”
“Festiva is a good day for people. Most of the farmers and trades people are happy to take a day off and come the markets. The traders from the cities bring coin with them so many of the locals are able to sell their goods and produce, but mostly it’s a social day. Aunt Valeria and I do business today. All the herbs and potions we make are bought by traders on their way to the cities.”
“All your witchy magic potions, poisons and such,” said Lyric with a smile. His comment earned him a punch in the arm from Celine.
“More like salves and stockpiles of herbs. Aunt Valeria is well known for her salves. I collect herbs in the forest that can’t be found on the northern side of the Isle. The traders always visit Aunt Valeria in the morning for our goods.”
“Huh, so that’s why your always out in the woods. I thought you just liked to walk and spy on me when I’m at the pond.”
“I do like to walk, but I don’t spy on you. I always tell you when I’m there. I just take my time telling you. It’s not my fault you aren’t very observant,” said Celine with a tiny smirk that hinted at mischief.
Lyric stopped at a baker’s booth and ordered a couple of sweet buns. It seemed so long ago that the only way he would’ve enjoyed such a delicacy was to steal it or find a burn bun in the trash. Now he was able to walk up and order food like anyone else. The merchants all gave him a second look before serving him, his skin color and his distinct eye color still marked him as different, but when they saw his clean new clothes and coin purse they served him like they would any other customer. Lyric was sure being accompanied by Celine made a large difference as well. Many of the merchants greeted her warmly as they visited the different displays. Not that Lyric minded, he loved watching Celine make her way through the crowded market. Her sharp tongue and biting remarks towards her favorite vendors were always met with laughs and equally biting remarks. Celine had the art of friendly insults mastered.
…
As the day started to fade into evening, Lyric and Celine made their way to the Pig’s Ear Inn. They were to meet up with Celine’s friends for a drink or two before heading to the dance. The Inn was packed. Every table in the bar was taken and the bar counter was two to three people deep with patrons, having a drink of ale after a long day of trading and socializing. Lyric saw Blair behind the bar, but the man was too busy to greet. Lyric simply waved when he saw Blair raise is his head in recognition. Blair gave a quick nod before returning to his demanding customers.
Celine led Lyric to a table where two girls were waiting, luckily they had arrived early and found a table and secured a couple of seats for Celine and Lyric.
“Lyric, I would like you to meet my dearest and oldest friends, Arria Rowland and Maddy Day,” said Celine.
Lyric gave a small formal bow before taking each girls hand, “Hello ladies, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Celine has told me many wonderful things about you. However, she failed to mention how beautiful you are. It’s a real treat to be seated with the three loveliest ladies in Middale.”
Maddy giggled and twisted her fingers through her curly hair, “Celine told us about some shy skinny runt from the coast, but instead she brings us a handsome, silver tongued man. I’m not so sure Celine is the friend she claims to be. Keeping you all to herself.”
Lyric laughed as he looked over Celine’s friends, Arria was a short girl with long strawberry blond hair that flowed down her back to her bottom. Her eyes were large and bright. Maddy was a voluptuous young woman, her ample bosom her most noticeable feature besides her thick curly locks. Both girls were easy on the eyes, but Lyric only had eyes for Celine. His flirtatious comments were a direct result of Sibylle’s influence. She had been very instructive on how to act during Festiva, making him practice how to speak to the villages, merchants and highborn guests that he would meet. Sibylle had spent extra time teaching Lyric how to compliment and flirt with Celine’s friends. “You need to make friends, Lyric, be polite with everyone and smile lots. Flirt with the girls and find something nice to say about them. Ladies like a little attention now and again. Most of all be yourself and relax, enjoy yourself,” Sibylle had told him. Lyric had found the idea of flirting with Celine’s friends strange at first but now that he was sitting with them he could see what Sibylle meant.
“It’s nice to meet you, Lyric. You certainly aren’t the evil demon I’ve heard about,” said Arria.
A serving girl brought a round of ales to the table, “Compliments of the house,” she said as she delivered the drinks.
A man at a nearby table protested, “What’s this? We’ve been waiting almost an hour for a drink and they’ve barely arrived, and since when does Blair give away drinks?”
“Mind your business, Bart Owens, you keep staring at my tits and it’ll be another hour before you get a drink. These are honored guests of Blair’s and have priority, that comes straight from the boss’s mouth. Now shut your mouth and I’ll see about getting your drinks,” said the server in a loud voice.
All the nearby tables heard the comments and started to laugh at Bart’s expense. They also took note of Lyric and the girls. Some raised eyebrows at the mention of them being honored guests of Blair, but for the most part, they nodded and went back to their own conversations.
“Well, I’ve never heard of Blair giving anyone a free drink before,” said Arria. “We are lucky to have you at our table, Lyric.”
“Actually I think you should be thanking Celine, Blair likes me, but not enough for free drinks. Celine on the other hand is the only niece of the lovely Valeria Vastel, and that makes us important.”
“So Blair’s sweet on your Aunt Valeria?” Maddy asked Celine.
Celine smiled, “Yes, it’s cute. He’s so shy, you would think a bar owner would be a more outgoing fellow, but he’s very reserved.”
“I like Blair, He’s a nice fellow,” said Arria. “I think he’d be a good match for Aunt Valeria.”
“He is,” confirmed Celine, “he just needs to keep trying. Aunt Valeria isn’t going to fall for a man just because he’s not afraid to talk sweet to a witch.”
“It does help though,” said Maddy with a smile.
Celine laughed, “It certainly helps his cause.”
“You’ll have to get Lyric to teach him how to talk to her, he’s certainly got a way to him.”
Lyric blushed as t
he girls looked at him.
Celine gave Lyric a stern look, “I’m not sure what’s going on, he’s not that smooth talking with me. You ladies seem to have brought it out of him. Don’t be trying to steal him, or I’ll ask Aunt Valeria to teach me a curse or two.”
Lyric had been counseled by Sibylle on what to say in this type of situation. “Your beauty oft leaves my tongue in a twist, my eyes drink in your beauty while my heart pounds from your nearness yet my tongue fails to deliver. I yearn to speak of your beauty, yet fail to find the words to describe it.”
Celine looked at Lyric in awe, “Who are you and what have you done with Lyric?” she asked.
Lyric smiled. Sibylle’s plan was working!
“I think you’ve been telling stories, Celine, he truly is a silver tongued devil! Shame on you for not sharing him,” said Arria with a laugh.
Lyric took a sip of his ale, “It’s Blair’s ale, it loosens the tongue.”
Maddy lifted her mug. “Let’s drink to Blair’s ale then. It’s a crime it doesn’t have the same effect on the local men’s tongues.”
Celine shook her head. She had been worried about Lyric being too shy around her friends. Those doubts seemed to be very unfounded now. “To Blair’s magical ale,” she cheered.
“Speaking of which, I’m going to go say thank you for the drinks, if you lovely ladies would excuse me for a moment.”
As Lyric went to the bar to get in line to speak to Blair, the girls turned on Celine. “You didn’t say how handsome he was,” accused Maddy.
“He has the most beautiful eyes,” said Arria, “they are like sapphires. I’ve never seen eyes that color before.”
“And he’s certainly not the scruffy, skinny little boy people have been talking about. I think he’s wonderful,” said Maddy.
“Back off ladies, get your own man! Stop ogling mine,” said Celine, but she was smiling as she said it. It was a relief to hear her friends be so complimentary of Lyric. If the rest of the village would accept him the way her friends had, she would be very happy. “I’m glad you girls like him. So many here have judged him because he is different.”
“We’ll just have to correct them when we can,” said Arria.
“Yes, we shall, however it’s likely that some will always judge him because he is so different,” warned Mandy.
“Yes, I know. People like Jamison will never change,” said Celine.
“Especially after you publicly humiliated him. Telling him he comes up short compared to Lyric in front of the entire bar insures he will hate Lyric,” said Arria.
“Did you really say that?” asked Mandy. “I heard about it, but I figured the boys were exaggerating.”
“I did, but he was being an ass!” said Celine.
“He was,” agreed Arria. “and he did deserve it, but he certainly won’t forget about it.”
“So is it true?” asked Mandy.
“Is what true?” replied Celine.
“That he comes up short compared to your Lyric,” said Mandy with a sly smile.
Celine laughed. “A lady never discussed such things, and neither do I.”
“You liar, you’re as big a gossip as any of us,” said Mandy.
“True, but you two are already drooling over him, telling you any more would just be a bad idea,” said Celine with a wink.
“If you hadn’t set me up to dance with Robert tonight I’d be offended,” said Arria.
“Hush,” said Celine, “Lyric’s coming back to the table. Finish your drinks and let’s head to the dance.
…
Lyric was amazed by the transformation. As soon as night had started to fall, all the vendors had removed their wares and the lanterns were lit. The village center had been transformed from a busy market into a vibrant display of color. Hundreds of lanterns had been strung across ropes that crisscrossed the center. Bright banners depicting the various gods had been erected and a large circle of the square had been turned into a dance area. While the market had been loud and boisterous during the day with the sounds of the street, music now filled the air. Drums and flutes, along with stringed instruments Lyric had never seen before created a beautiful sound that was accompanied by a pair of singers.
As the group approached the dance area, they ran into Robert James. He was talking with tall lanky man and a stout ruddy looking man.
“There you are, ladies, we’ve been waiting for someone to dance with,” said the tall lanky fellow.
“Hello, Christian. You will get plenty of dancing tonight, don’t you worry,” said Mandy.
“Lyric, this is Robert James, the tall dancer is Christian Hayes and the baby faced one is Brynn Cook,” said Celine.
“Gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” said Lyric.
“So this is the famous foreigner we keep hearing about,” said Robert with a smile. “Nice to meet you, Lyric.”
Lyric laughed at the comment, “I’ve never been called famous. I’ve been called that stinky little foreign runt, and much worse. Never famous.”
“He’s also been called a brave hero and savior of damsels in distress,” rang out a female voice from behind Robert and his friends.
The group turned to see that Sibylle had joined them.
“Hello, Lyric, you are looking dashing tonight,” said Sibylle.
“Hello, Sibylle, how are you tonight?” said Lyric. He couldn’t wait to be alone with Sibylle so he could report the night’s progress.
“I’m good,” said Sibylle. “I just came over to make sure Robert here and his group of hooligans he calls friends planned on dancing with me tonight. There are several highborn toads here with visions of marriage that I’d like to avoid dancing with.”
“I’ve promised my attentions to the lovely Arria tonight, but the fellows and I will certainly assist you in your time of need,” said Robert.
“He owes me two dances,” said Arria, “but take him any time you need.” The village girls all liked Sibylle, she was always kind and didn’t treat them as if they were beneath her.
“Thank you, Arria, that is very kind,” said Sibylle before turning to Celine. “Celine, would it be possible to borrow your man, Lyric, for the first dance? I’d like to introduce my hero to some of father’s friends after showing Robert and these louts what a proper dance looks like.”
Celine smiled, tension lifted from her shoulders as she listened to Sibylle, the one woman she feared losing Lyric to, declared that Lyric was her man. The declaration and intent to produce Lyric in a positive light to the highborn crowd was more beautiful music to Celine’s ear than any the musicians could play. “Of course. I’ll warm up Brynn so he doesn’t step on your toes later.”
“It happened one time,” protested Brynn.
“One time?” said Mandy. “Name one girl you haven’t permanently disfigured with those oversized shoes. I thought you broke my toes last Festiva.”
The group chuckled. Brynn was known to be a notoriously bad dancer despite the fact he really enjoyed it. If the number of men in the village who liked dancing hadn’t been so lacking, he wouldn’t keep getting the opportunity to step on so many toes.
“Come on, Lyric, Let’s dance,” said Sibylle. Once they were out on the dance floor she whispered into his ear. “How’s it going?”
Sibylle had spent a great deal of time helping Lyric to survive his first Festiva, he’d been so nervous about meeting so many people and not knowing how to act, but she had been a great teacher. “It’s going really well. We spent the day going through the market, I met more people today than I have in my entire life.”
“Excellent, and what of Celine’s friends? Did you do as I said?”
“Yes, I was complimentary and said everything just like you told me to. Thank you so much, Sibylle.”
“They were your thoughts, Lyric. I just helped you organize them and showed you how to present yourself. If they liked you, it’s because of you not me.”
The song ended, and Lyric gave Sibylle a small fo
rmal bow.
“You’re a very good dancer, Lyric.”
Lyric smiled brightly. “Azina made me learn to dance after the healer fixed my foot, and Blair made me practice as well. I never thought those lessons would be so handy.”
“Come, it’s time to parade you before the highborn crowd.” Sibylle pulled Lyric towards the seating area where Lord Lamar was hosting several visiting nobles along with a few select merchants and wealthy land owners from Middale.
Lyric stood tall as he and Sibylle waited for her father. He could see the eyes of the nobles looking him over. Lyric was used to such scrutiny, his whole life he had been looked at differently, yet this was not like before. This crowd didn’t look at him with automatic hatred. Despite his skin color they were accepting of him. A nice outfit and the presence of Sibylle at his side was enough for the nobles to reserve judgment. Lyric wondered if the nobles judged everyone’s character by the company they kept. Not that he would complain, it was better than immediate hatred any day.
Lord Lamar finished his story that he was telling to his guests and turned to Sibylle, “There you are daughter of mine. Who is your friend?”
“Father, you remember Lyric. After all he did rescue me on the road from that bandit.”
“Lyric! Please forgive me, you look much different tonight,” said Lord Lamar apologetically.
“It’s fine, M’lord, I hardly recognize myself with this haircut and these new clothes,” said Lyric with a grin.
“Aunt Izzy cut his hair. I think that she did a wonderful job,” said Sibylle loudly.
Lord Lamar smiled and laughed, “I would never question my sister on the fashions of the day, nor her skills with a pair of scissors. I’d rather face a cave of bears than her wrath.”
The nobles laughed along with Lord Lamar.
“If you’ll excuse us, Father, I promised some of the village boys a dance.”
Lord Lamar waved them off, “Go have fun.”
As they walked back towards the others, Lyric shook his head. “That was strange.”
“It was perfect,” said Sibylle, “now every one of those nobles will treat you as an equal regardless of their ideas about you.”
Lyric's Curse (Dragonblood Sagas Book 1) Page 21