As the sun began to set, Alfar made his way to the festival grounds for the feast. There he found dozens of tables spread across the field each with a set of log stools. In the center of the field was a huge pot cooking over an open flame. Villagers gathered around it throwing ingredients in. Torches encircled the feast area providing some light. Upon seeing his own parents seated with his younger brother and sister, Alfar moved to join them. As he arrived Deirdre and her parents joined them.  

“Hello there it’s a pleasure to see you,” Alfar’s father, Mikhael WoodHeart, welcomed motioning for them all to sit.  

“The pleasure is all mine,” Deirdre’s father, Gregory Etsan, replied. 

“It’s been ages since I last saw you Elise,” Alfar’s mother, Ria Woodheart, began, “You must have some interesting stories from the borderlands.” 

Elise gave a heavy sigh before she started her story, “I wish that the borderlands were less interesting to be honest. Lord Brownstone barely let me return for the fire festival due to the circumstances. The Sultanate is in chaos and every fool hard on his luck thinks that the 12 kingdoms will accept them as refuges. This is all because some bandits have discovered ‘divinity’.” Elise said the last word with no small amount of disdain. “They call themselves the sun bandits and claim that Athairte the sun lord himself guides them. At this point everyone is waiting for the order of the golden dawn to intervene and kill these blasphemers.” 

“We live in troubling times. I often worry for the young. What if something like that happened here,” Mr. Woodheart pondered with a heavy look on his face.  

“It’s important that we instill a sense of duty and faith in our children to prevent that,” Mr. Etsan chimed in taking a sip from a wooden mug.  

“Perhaps we should move onto lighter topics while we wait for the pot to cook,” Mrs. Woodheart offered.  

Deirdre cleared her throat to gather attention. “Actually, we have some good news for you,” Deridre grabbed Alfar’s hand as she spoke. “We’re engaged.” Each of the parents at the table began to grin as they all offered their congratulations. Each began to offer advice for the couple ranging from good to concerning. Until a question arose from each mind at once.  

“Where will you be living?” The four asked in unison.  

“We were actually planning on leaving the hills and traveling around the world,” Alfar stated. 

“I can’t say I’m surprised you two always talked about far off places,” Mr. Etsan commented nodding his head in approval.  

“We’ll be so worried about you, but as long as this is what you want,” Mrs. Woodheart said trying to be positive.  

“You’ll have to spar with me so I know you’re ready for what the world throes at you,” Mrs. Hawkwing said to her daughter.  

“Deal.” At that moment there was a clanging of pans coming from the center of the field. Elder Topapa set down two pans and waited for the conversations to stop. He then offered a prayer as thanks to the gods for this glorious bounty before inviting everyone to partake in the stew.  

As soon as everyone sat back down music began from a table of performers as the townfolk greedily slurped the stew. After a few mouthfuls Alfar’s body felt a bit strange. His senses felt lighter and a bit dull. By the time he had finished half a bowl he was starting to feel woozy. The last thing he remembered was finishing the stew.  

 

As everyone simultaneously collapsed, Thomas and Ciaran threw each other looks of concern before they both wordlessly decided to collapse themselves. 

 

  

Later that night, Alfar sat alone on a log a little way into the glowing woods. His head still felt groggy from the potluck, so he was glad to be alone for a little while. After everyone had awoken from the impromptu nap, Elder Topapa had hurried to check a few people before sending everyone to their homes to rest. Despite this, rumors had spread suggesting the cause was rotten food and each gossiper differed on who the culprit was. It was an easy matter to slip away from his home while his family discussed the event.  

As time passed Alfar’s mind drifted to thoughts of his vision. He still had no idea what it meant but surely that sword must have been important. “It must have been the right choice to not seek victory that way Deirdre has the sword so I can never become a knight,” Alfar thought to himself. As he thought about her his cheeks grew warm and he felt uncomfortable in his seat.  

Just then he heard a snap of a twig behind him and turned to see Lochlann approaching. 

“I hope I’m not early,” Lochlann muttered nervously looking around. 

“Don’t worry the others are just grabbing some drinks,” Alfar replied motioning for him to sit. As Lachlann went to sit his foot caught on an axe causing him to stumble onto the log. 

“Why do we do this at Ciaran’s if he doesn’t even pickup his tools,” Lochlann grumbled. 

“When you live out of view of the village we’ll party at your house.” The two heard some footsteps announcing the arrival of Ciaran and Thomas. Ciaran carried a large cask in his arms while Thomas held four mugs. With only a nod as a greeting, Ciaran set the cask down in front of the log and sat with Thomas on a log across from the other two. The four then took turns filling a mug from the cask and taking a sip of the mead.  

“So, I heard someone’s getting married,” Thomas said looking at Alfar.  

“Well one of us has to become a respectable man,” Alfar joked as Ciaran shouted cheers and took a long draw from his mug.  

“Hey, I for one am respectable and may I remind you also your elder,” Thomas stated as he began to sit with better posture.  

“If you’re respectable then how come I can hear your father scolding you all the way from here most days,” Ciaran teased. 

“That’s because I receive all the parenting you’re missing out on,” Thomas responded patting his friend on the back. Ciaran simply laughed and continued drinking.  

“The current plan is to hold the wedding as soon as the festival ends so we have time to prepare before winter,” Alfar mentioned in an attempt to get back on topic.  

“Are you excited?” Lochlann asked in between sips of mead.  

“Of course, but I’m also a bit worried since Deirdre wants to leave the village and travel,” Alfar began, “But, I’ve spent my entire life here and I don’t know how I’ll say goodbye to everyone. At least we probably can’t leave until winter lets up.” 

“I’m envious. Anywhere is better than here,” Thomas blurted out. 

“I think it would be nice to leave here and study at the academy in the capital,” Lochlann chimed in. 

“I travelled a bit as a kid and most places are the same if you’re alone. I think it’s more about who you’re with than where you are,” Ciaran advised. The four men continued talking a drinking well into the night. One by one they each drifted off to sleep. 

 

Late into the morning the friends arrived back at the village still stumbling from the night before. After a few moments they noticed the traders on the edge of the village were packing up and everyone seemed uneasy. Walking up to Mr. Wilkins, a passing farmer, Thomas asked him, “What’s going on?” 

“Didn’t you wake up to hear the meeting bells?” Mr. Wilkins chastised. ”The elder and the caravan leader announced that they found that big scaly fellow dead in the road this morning. They said he was bitten by a snake but if you ask me, I think he was murdered. Either way it’s those caravanners’ fault seeing as they brought the snakes. They took this as a sign it was time to move on and are leaving early now. Can’t say I’m upset since this means we won’t have any murderers here.” Thomas stared at the farmer for few seconds with his breath still before finally thanking the farmer and bidding his goodbyes. 

“I can’t believe it,” Ciaran murmured. Each of the four were incredulous, there had never been a murder in Elderbrook as far as any of them knew. Their town had always been a place of tranquil peace.  

“I think I need to..” Each of them began not bothering to finish their excuses before they went their separate ways.