They were able to get two rooms at the inn. One for Celine and one for the boys. After leaving all their belongings in the room they went to eat something. They sat down and picked something from the menu. 

“Is there an option to eat in my room?” Asked Sam.

“It is. But you need to give us something to hold off. Once you return the plates the item or the money will be returned to you. It's just our policy.” The waitress explained.

“Are you a shut-in?” The elf asked.

“No… It’s just… I don’t like this place. I feel like I’m in the enemy territory… You can stay here if you want but I will eat in the room.” Sam picked up his order and left. 

Skalern loved the Peresia House because thanks to them the village was able to flourish. They invested a lot of money into this small place. The people took it as a kind gesture from the nobles but in truth, the Peresia Family invested in them for the money. They knew that they didn’t have to pay much to some peasants in the mountains and the woodsmen didn’t know that their job here was much harder than in any other village in the country. The royal family used them, and they did not know about it because they were limited by mountains from other lumberjack villages.

***

Celine and Sien went to see the festival ground as it was being prepared. Sam said that he would join them later as he wasn’t in the mood yet. 

The festival area was square in shape with a platform in the middle. The view to the inside was blocked by the curtains but there were a lot of people inside judging by the noise and slightly visible shadows. All around there were food stalls and occasional games for kids. There were lamps shining in a purple and white light. 

The event began with a band playing an energetic melody. Over time the music brought more people to the festival ground. Most of the stalls were busy with new clients. 

Sien really wanted to play one of the games. The elf knew that there was a trick behind every game but she didn’t want to kill the fun for the boy and agreed to accompany him. 

The first game he played was to knock the wooden cups down using a very light ball. He had to make them all fall within two throws. The first throw to the base of the pyramid made of cups did nothing. The second ball he threw closer to the top making only three out of seventeen cups fall. The boy was eager to try one more time.

“Wait a moment…” Celine grabbed Sien’s hand with a ball, freezing the ball to make it heavier. “Here. Now you can do it.”

“But that’s cheating.” Whispered Sien so the stall owner wouldn’t throw him out for cheating.

“I wouldn’t say it’s wrong to cheat against a cheater.” Celine whispered, giving Sien a devilish smile.

“How does he cheat?” 

“The cups are heavy and the ball is light, making it hard to push them, and the structure was made in a way that is impossible to collapse with only two throws. You would need four at least. It wants to guarantee you the highest prize but you’ll earn something at least. So try it.” Celine pushed Sien forward so he would throw the ball before the ice melted completely.

“If you put it that way…” The boy’s mind was completely changed once he heard about the possibility of winning a prize.

Sien threw the ball pushing the base a bit further than the last time. With a second throw, he was able to make the structure collapse leaving only five cups on the table.

“Congrats… You win this.” The man, clearly not happy with the amount of fallen cups, gave Sien a white mask. “You can paint whatever you want on the mask.”

“Are there any runes connected to the painting?” Sien asked as he turned his head to Celine.

“There might be. I haven’t tested them but it might be a good lesson about more advanced runes.”

“Something as simple as painting is advanced?” 

“Yes. It would be a connection between two runes. Water runes and runes of color.”

“I can’t wait to learn that!”

The next game that attracted Sien was a sparring match with a teenage boy who had an arena set up. He was wearing thick leather armor and had a wooden sword. All of this was made so everyone could spar without the fear of getting many injuries.

“Looking for a worthy opponent for a friendly sparring match! Who is up to the challenge!” The boy shouted as he stood on the fence, high enough for everyone to see him.

“I want to try!” Sien ran to the arena, thrilled to spar with someone who might be closer to his abilities than Sam.

“Certainly. Put on the leather armor and pick up one of those wooden swords.” Said the boy as he pointed toward three swords each of a different length.

Sien took the sword that was of similar length as his saber. He swung it around trying to get used to the light weight. His opponent walked to the other side of the arena, waiting for him to get ready. Sien showed that he was ready by standing in front of the boy with a sword pointing toward him.

“May I know my challenger’s name?” The boy asked.

“My name is Sien.”

“Thank you for challenging me, Sien. My name is Peter.”

“Good. The perfect opponent for a warmup. First I’ll block some of his attacks and then try to attack him giving some space so the boy could block the attacks. I don’t want to make him cry or have a bad time. It’s a festival after all.” Peter thought out his next action as he approached Sien with his sword ready.

They walked around, waiting for some attack but none of them moved first, the boy didn’t attack because he wanted to make it more enjoyable for the kid rather than making it a one-sided fight, Sien waited for the attack as his master instructed. “It’s better to wait for your opponent's first move so you can assess his strength.” The words were stuck in his head as he stood there, focused on his opponent.

“You can attack me first. I won’t attack you at first. It’s just a sparring match for fun.” Peter said thinking that Sien was hesitating out of fear.

Sien nodded his head and approached the boy, throwing a first attack that was blocked. He slowly picked up speed trying to figure out the true strength of his opponent. 

“While his attacks don’t have much of a punch. His speed is amazing.” The arena master thought as he tried to keep up with Sien’s speed. He had to give his most to block the attacks. One attack was able to land and they stopped the duel for a moment. “Good! Now I will be attacking too. So expect some swings from me too.” Peter informed Sien so he wouldn’t get scared by sudden attacks.

They began their second round of the duel. This time Peter ran to Sien making a swing from above. Light so Sien would be able to block it. To his surprise, Sien jumped to the side and attacked his side. Landing a second hit. Peter had a bitter taste in his mouth by losing to someone younger than himself. 

“Did you train with a sword?” Peter asked.

“With a saber.”

“So you have some experience. Okay. Let’s take it seriously this time. Are you fine with that?” Peter this time took a different stance with a sword only in one hand, slightly behind his hips.

“Totaly!” Sien announced with a smile on his face.