Chapter 69 : Festival of Light
"I'm serious about what I said, Elias Ashdown, think about it!" Lord Varric shouted, waving as Elias and Imaya left the gates of District Two.
Elias sighed, "Marriage? Can you believe that? Damn no," He chuffed
"Marriage is way too early for you?" Imaya said flatly
"Right!" Elias affirmed
"How can you hope to marry now when you have an adventurous life ahead of you?" She continued
"Right!!"
"Besides you already have Queen Seraphina and Lady Selene, why add her?" She added, her voice taking an undertone of Jealousy
"Right!—wait, what?!"
Imaya continued, "On second thought, I think you should go for Lord Varric's daughter. After all, she is also a Lady of High status, since that's what your interest suggests." As she spoke, it was evident that she was truly jealous of Elias' relationship with the Queen and Lady Selene.
'Haa…I see what's going on here, she was there on both occasions when I was with the Queen and Lady Selene. I haven't been paying enough attention to her.
I would be jealous too, mad even if I came to a place with someone and she abandoned me for someone else, multiple people at that'
"Haa…don't be jealous Imaya, I simply have business with those people you see me with," Elias said
Imaya pouted her lips and furrowed her brows, "Is it your business that makes Lady Selene enter your room as clean looking proper Lady, but leave with her hair disheveled and her makeup smeared?
Or is it your business that requires the queen to be half naked in your room, or get flustered any time she sees you? Your business seems to have a recurring theme here" she said as she folded her arm
Elias looked at Imaya with an examining expression as she ranted, trying to figure out what exactly Imaya was getting at, "Yes, that is my business, and there is a reason it is MY business and not yours" He said
[+10 000 FWP]
Maya's face formed into a frown and she stormed forward angrily, "Fine, continue sorting YOUR business," She said as she walked
"Why won't she just tell me what she wants instead of getting angry? Women are difficult," Elias sighed as he calmly walked after her
Imaya did not utter a word to Elias as they made their way to the fifth District; the town square to be precise.
"Have some Lamb bites," Elias offered Imaya
If there was one thing Elias shared in common, it was their love for the snack, both had never tasted the snack until they got to Eldoria, but instantly fell in love with it at first taste
Imaya side-eyed the tempting snack, and her stomach urged her to take a bite, "Give it to me," She said in a low tone as she snatched the bag from Elias
In the heart of the town square. The usually modest space had transformed into a lively hub of activity, with townsfolk bustling about, their arms laden with decorations.
Bright, golden banners adorned with the symbol of the Church of Eternal Light fluttered in the gentle breeze, catching the light of the afternoon sun. These banners were draped across the fronts of shops, wound around the tall lamp posts, and hung between the buildings, creating a canopy of warm, golden hues overhead.
In the center of the square, a group of villagers worked together to erect a large wooden structure, its peak crowned with an ornate carving of the church's sun emblem. Around its base, children helped string together garlands of flowers—marigolds and sunflowers mostly—whose vibrant yellows and oranges mirrored the colors of the festival.
On the cobblestones, artisans carefully placed small clay lanterns in neat rows, preparing to fill them with oil and light them at dusk.
Nearby, a group of women chatted as they hung wreaths of greenery and bright ribbons on the doors of the church and the town hall, their laughter mingling with the sound of hammers and the rustle of fabric.
After noticing a change in the appearance of the town square, Elias could not help but ask a passerby what was happening that the town square needed such decorations.
"Ahh, that's because of the festival of light," The old man said
"Festival of light?" Elias asked. This was something he had not experienced in Arcane Days, a new discovery. Read next chapters on m vl-em-py-r
"You don't know about the festival of light? That's strange, everyone in Eldoria knows about it. Are you perhaps a spy for the weremen? The man asked, inspecting Elias closely with his one good eye.
Elias chuckled lightly, "I am not a spy sir. I am just new in Eldoria," He said
"If you say so, you don't look like you have the balls to be a spy anyways," The man remarked
"Ouch," Elias deadpanned, and he caught a glimpse of Imaya laughing at him
The old man cleared his throat, "The festival of light is a festival yet more of a tradition that we the people of Elodoria and all the worshippers of the Goddess Lira observe every year.
There are three days to this festival; Day of the Moon, Day of the Sun, and Day of the Stars. Each day symbolizes our Goddess's Love for us, the Day of the Moon is for reflection, and introspection where we look into ourselves and rekindle our inner light.
The Day of the Sun is a celebration of growth, life, and energy, we celebrate the vibrant light that sustains all beings.
Finally, the Day of the Stars is the final day of the festival where we are reminded that no matter how far and lost we are, that the Goddess is still with us. It is the day of Hope, guidance, and a reminder of the eternal light that connects all beings across time and space," The old man explained, his eyes twinkling with excitement as he spoke
Elias and Imaya listened attentively as the man explained, "Festival of light, huh? Sounds interesting," Elias remarked
"Of course it is! Each day comes with loads of activities. Sounds interesting? It is interesting," The old man said, "Youngsters these days, 'sounds interesting'," He muttered to himself as he walked away with his arms behind his back
"S-sorry?" Elias apologized, but the man was already too far gone to hear
Imaya giggled at Elias, "The festival sounds like fun, we should go," Imaya said, "That is if you don't plan to take your 'Business associates' Already" she added, averting Elias' gaze as she spoke
"You're talking to me now?" Elias asked, and Imaya resumed her pouting
"Sure, we can go together, I don't have any plans to go with anyone," Elias said, a warm smile spread across his face.
As hard as she tried to hide it, Imaya's face lit up like a bright orange, her excitement was about to spill over, "O..okay," She stuttered and immediately stuffed her face with a lamb bite
"It's getting late, I think it's time we go back to the castle," Elias suggested