Celest awoke to a sharp rapping on her front door. She opened her eyes and stared up at the ceiling, confused and angry. The knocking continued and she heard a string of muttered curses coming from her father’s room next door. His door creaked open and the grumbling continued as his heavy footsteps plodded down the hall. The now very loud pounding was cut short as the door squeaked open. There was a slight pause and then a sudden rush of stammers.
“A-ah good morning to you, my fine sir. Might this be the residence of Damion and Celest Rowanoak? I am an acquaintance of the two and was hoping that I may have them show me around this excellent town of yours.” A pause. “Do I perhaps have the wrong house? I apologize, my good man I can leave you immediately. I am so sorry to have disturbed you on this uh…early morning.”
Damion sat up, his long hair in knots. He squinted through the morning sun and looked over at Celest in confusion, “Do I hear Ari at our front door?”
“I believe you do, and we better go save him before Da boots him out on the street.” Celest smirked and scrambled out of bed, her brother following. As they hurried into the kitchen, the twins saw their father looming over the frail looking scholar. He nervously fixed his glasses and smiled as best as he could up at the giant man. Ari glanced over and noticed Celest and Damion and burst into a genuine, slightly less frightened smile, “Oh! So this is the correct house! Good morning to you both.”
Malakith turned around and looked at his children with tired eyes. He pointed at Ari, “Who in Ixra is this and why is he beating down my door before dawn?”
“This is Aristotle, Da.” Damion rushed over to Ari’s side, “He’s a scholar visiting from Saptiae. We met him yesterday in the market at the end of the festival.”
“I ran into him!” Celest offered helpfully.
Ari smiled nervously and addressed Malakith, “I am very grateful to your children. Damion provided me with directions to the abbey yesterday. And Celest…” he looked at the beaming girl, “…helped me pick up my papers!”
Malakith looked down at the boy skeptically and finally let out a low chuckle. He rubbed his eyes and stuck out his hand to Ari, “A pleasure to meet you, Aristotle. I’m glad to know that my children didn’t cause too much of a ruckus for you.”
Ari winced slightly as he shook hands Malakith and smiled weakly, “No, no! They are unique individuals and are incredibly kind.” He looked to the siblings, “I was hoping that you might be able to show me around Coriff some more today? If that wouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience.”
“We would love to!” Damion burst out. “Wait here! We’ll go change and be ready in just a moment.” He rushed past his father and sister and into his room. Celest looked at their bedroom door and then back to Malakith, who still looked incredibly tired.
“Glad we got everything figured out. I’m going back to sleep.” He shuffled off slowly to his room. Celest watched him walk off and then turned back to Ari. They stood there in awkward silence for a moment until Celest broke it.
“I guess I better go get ready.” She laughed, “I always love a new adventure.” Ari smiled at her softly as she trotted to her room.
True to their word, the siblings were ready to traverse the town in an instant. Celest stood in the street, a hand on her hip and the other shading her eyes from the rising sun. “I think you picked a bad time to walk around Coriff, Ari. Nobody’s out yet.”
Damion laughed, “On the contrary, dear sister, I believe that is the best time.”
“So what is there to do in Coriff?” Ari inquired, “I haven’t explored it yet. I’ve just been cooped up in the old abbey, which is absolutely stunning. That architecture must date back to-“
“Yes, yes it’s very lovely but it’s old and booooring.” Celest drawled. He brother cuffed her ear gently.
“Why must you always be like this?” He muttered. “Fine. We will not visit the abbey any more than we have to today. Besides, Coriff is filled with other exciting things. Like the duke’s home or the hall of academics, no wait that is attached to the abbey-“
“Damion! That’s all boring too! We need to show Ari the exciting dangerous side of Coriff!” A mischievous light glinted in Celest’s eye as she grinned broadly.
Ari interjected at that moment, “Dangerous? I do not think I am as brave as you, Celest. Perhaps something a little more domain?”
Celest waved away the notion, “Naw you don’t gotta be brave to do this stuff. You just gotta be fast and not get caught.”
“Let us get breakfast from the baker and then figure out our plan for the day.” Damion rubbed his eyes tiredly.
“Now that’s something we actually agree on.” Celest blew a loose hair out of her eyes and started down the road towards the center of town, “C’mon you two! We’re losing daylight.”
Ari looked at Damion with concern, “Does she always act like this?”
Damion stared at his sister’s back and gave a heavy sigh, “Unfortunately, yes.”
†
The trio arrived at the baker’s before it had opened, much to Celest’s dismay. As they waited for the smells of pastries and bread to fill the air, the twins tried to think of entertaining parts of Coriff.
Celest sat with her back against the front of the shop, “Well we could visit the booths that are set up for the festival. And there’s always the woods surrounding Coriff; Ivywood. Course, we can’t go out too far or Da will get upset with us.” She looked at Ari, “Been rumors of bandits nearby here lately.”
“How could I be so stupid, of course!” Damion’s face light up with joy. “The ruins in the woods!”
Ari perked up, “Ruins? Would you happen to mean the Ivywood Ruins of Xylia?”
“The very same!”
Celest interjected, “Aw c’mon. Old ruins? They aren’t even that great. Just a bunch of old busted rocks.”
“Old busted rocks with significant historical meaning, Celest. We have to go there. It has been decided.” Damion announced.
His sister let out a groan, “Fine. But I get to pick what we do next.”
“Deal. Perfect timing too. I smell fresh tarts being set out.” Damion grinned at his two companions and dashed inside.
Pastries in hand, the trio started their travels to the outskirts of Coriff. As they reached the main gates, the cobblestone road turned to dirt and plunged deep into the emerald woods. Damion happily led the way, chattering to Ari the entire time about the ruins. Celest trailed behind, rolling her eyes frequently.
“It is absolutely astounding, Ari. You will not believe how magnificent these ruins are. I have only been a handful of times since Da does not like me to wander off too far.”
Ari looked up, concerned, “Are the ruins that far? I do not wish to get you in trouble.”
Damion brushed off the worry, “No they are only a brief walk from Coriff and all we have to do is follow this path. Do not worry about my father; I am sure he will not mind since we are all traveling in a group. It is safer that way.”
“Ah, excellent. That is reassuring to hear.” Ari smiled.
“How much further, Damion? We’ve been walking for hours!” Celest groaned.
“Celest, it has only been half an hour, you are fine. Stop overreacting. Besides, we are almost there. Look.” Damion pointed to a narrow path that veered off the main road. “That will lead us directly to the ruins!” He suddenly ran towards the path, his excitement taking over. Ari followed.
“Hey! Wait for me!” Celest let out a groan of frustration, but followed as well. She followed the shaded path that suddenly burst into a wide open clearing. Ari and Damion were standing in amazement, looking at the ancient crumbling temple that stood before them.
Ari had a look of stupor on his face, “This is incredible…I feel as if I have been taken back in time.”
Damion grabbed his hand and started to pull him towards a row of columns, “This way! I want to show you all my favorite spots. C’mon!” The two boys ran off, leaving Celest once again.
She looked around at the clearing and was unimpressed, “I don’t even know why I bother with him.” She grumbled and slowly started to follow them.
It was still fairly early in the morning and the sun was shining down on the trio. Birds were chirping and flying to and fro from their nests they had created in the broken buildings. Celest walked down the row of columns, most were snapped in half, but were still taller than her. A wall up ahead was still fairly intact and displayed a faded mural. A beautiful elk, surrounded by flowers, fruits, and dancing fae folk, stood proudly in the middle. Celest strolled up and gazed at the painting. It exuded power and grace and even Celest could appreciate it for a moment.
The boys were nowhere to be found, so Celest decided to rest. She sat down, her back to the mural. She looked up at the elk and smiled. “I wish I was as elegant as you. Then I’d have all sorts of festivals thrown in my honor.” She furrowed her brow, “Were you actually real? I mean, I know Damion says that there’s bounds of evidence pointing to you lot, the Caretakers, but sometimes I can’t help but question it.” The girl stopped herself and had to laugh, “Look at me. Talking to a mural like an idiot. I guess Damion’s not the only one in the family.” Her eyes began to close slowly, the sun warming her body and making her tired. She had dreams of blooming fields and giant elk.
†
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