many small trees had been pulled from the forest. Fine glass baubles, more paper cutouts, and what appeared to be sweets dangled from the branches of the evergreens that were placed outside houses and in the larger street intersections. It almost seemed as if part of the wood had migrated to stay within the town for the season. Those that could manage also strung the same delicate crystal globes on the eaves of their homes. Sunlight danced off them in dazzling rainbows that made the entire community seem fantastic and surreal.
Their presence was hailed some half a kilometer away as guards near the gate towers waved them down. The same elf that had spoken up the previous evening signaled in return and the gates slid open as they approached, the steady hoofbeat of the horse teams dragging their cargo into the town and toward the market. Algan and Riun walked along in awe, steadily coming to a stop as they admired the festivities. Kunya and Xron, while not quite as stunned, were nonetheless smiling in wonder as they slowly trailed the wagon train into the marketplace. Here the decorations were most impressive: the biggest trees, the most paper displays, the most meticulous wooden lanterns, and the most perfect glass spheres were all out for visitors and the townsfolk alike to admire.
“It's beautiful...” Rusga mumbled, gazing with wide eyes at this section of town. The aroma of caramelized sugar and seasoned meats hung heavy in the square and the wagons finally came to a rest as the party fought to keep their mouths closed and eyes open.
“I can let the merchant crews handle the exchange of goods. I believe you all need to see the town council if you're going to stay for the Festival of the Winter Moon.” The same elf that signaled their arrival to the guard, and that noted the upcoming festivities, stood before the six. His armor was finely-crafted leather that wrapped around a lithe figure, and the same piercing green eyes that all elves shared looked them over from behind a mop of dark brown hair. “I am Reshina Hazelthorn, and I am the first son of one of the council's former elders. It is a pleasure to have people so willing to help maintain our trade relations. While the economic activity isn't purely necessary, the maintaining of diplomatic agreements is difficult at best without open trade routes. While I personally would have no quarrel with your invitation, it's not my place to extend it. I will, however, speak on your behalf.”
“That is most generous. Thank you for your kindness,” Kunya replied in the graceful Elven language. Reshina seemed mildly surprised by this and dared a small smile. She then returned to the common tongue. “I believe we should rest and recuperate both ourselves and our supplied first, however. A week's travel isn't something most of us are accustomed to.”
“As you wish. I will await you in the Halfmoon Inn tomorrow morning, then. Enjoy your rest there; I shall inform the owner of your party and cover your first night.” He grinned more openly this time and turned toward the northwest of town, moving with haste toward a large building.
“I do believe I owe you the rest of your pay as well,” a familiar voice spoke up from the other side. Mr. Farstride stood with a rather large, bulging sack of something, presumably coins, in one hand and the contract in the other. “Your group has been a great help and good company. I hope we can work together again sometime, but we have to pack up and head off again before the day passes us by.” He nodded to Algan and Riun both, shaking their hands with a strong grip. He passed the sack to the warrior before speaking again. “There are five hundred coins within. Be well on your adventures wherever they might take you. And to you, Kida, I wish you the best of them all. Work on your storytelling and write it down. It might be important one day to someone.” Without another word he turned and walked quickly toward the front wagon, climbed aboard, and ushered the horses to move. They moved around the square and slowly toward the town gates again. Kida swore she caught a glimpse of tears in the human's eyes.
“I guess he wasn't so bad. A bit rough, but not bad,” she muttered, smiling and waving with her hand held close to her body to avoid the attention. For once she didn't want anyone to notice it. Kunya saw the lack of excitability and commented on it quietly.
“Why the long face? You look like you're about to cry,” she said, patting the kitsu's shoulder as she spoke.
“Because. He was the first person other than Rusga to compliment my storytelling directly. And the first to ever say that it might be important. That means a lot to me, thinking that my silly habit might actually turn out to be worth something in the world. You know?” Kida's voice cracked a little and she struggled to hold her composure. Kunya shook her head but took Kida's hands in hers.
“I don't really understand why that would make you seem sad. If anything, I would be happy instead that my skills could make a difference.” The wizard chuckled a little and hugged Kida, who in her surprise stood there dumbfounded. “In any case, let us get a room or two to stay in while this fellow speaks for us. We won't know the outcome until tomorrow morning so maybe we indulge ourselves a bit. We all deserve it, I think.”
“Did you just...” Kida replied, still awestruck.
“Just what? Embrace you? Yes, yes I did. Was that the wrong thing to do?” Kunya answered, puzzled and a little worried. The kitsu shook her head.
“No, it wasn't. It was just, surprising to me. I've never seen you do something like that.” A smile ran across her face again. “I wonder if they have anything sweet to eat around here!”
“She's always like that,” Rusga muttered as Kida skipped away with a few coins jingling in her pockets. “Quick to get upset but quick to come back to her happy self. I kind of envy that...”
“Hm? Did you say something?” Kunya asked. A breeze had picked up and drowned out his words. The catfolk shook his head and walked down the street after his friend, eyes half-closed in a mixture of disappointment and jealousy. The market row was pleasant enough though and the smell of baked goods, spices, and fruits rose through the cold air and migrated to noses around the town. Spiced apples, sweetened cranberries, cooked pumpkin, and more lingered in their nostrils and begged the six to have a bite.
“I think we ought to go have a taste at least,” Algan said as he conceded to the smells. His stomach growled in protest and urged him to move faster, but he resisted.
“I like that idea. Smells good. Should taste good too.” Riun agreed with the warrior's sentiments. While not big on traditions, he did agree with the idea of sampling. He caught a faint whiff of fresh wine and ale, probably made during the past summer, that the others seemed to miss.
“Fine, fine! I'll tag along,” Xron whined as he gave in. He didn't particularly dislike elves but being in a town full of them made him nervous at best. If he were discovered it would probably be the last thing he ever experienced. Even his stubborn will had surrendered to the prospect of good food, though.
Kida led the other five around the square, stopping by each stand in turn with a few containers to get some of this and that. Caramelized apple tarts, pumpkin squares, cherry-berry relish, mint twists, and more filled her pack as she pleaded for more coins from the group to share in the food. Xron and Rusga initially protested letting her have more but that was quickly silenced by two large, hungry humans. Quite a small feast of desserts and treats stuffed the bag she carried and with that she was content.
“Now we can go get some actual food for dinner, yeah?” she asked, pointing toward a large, combined stand on the other side of the road. Rich smells of stewed meats and pan-seared vegetables combined with what was sure to be a savory broth and beckoned their attention with ghostly vaporous hands. Growling stomachs negotiated with minds and quickly won their internal debates as they meandered toward the booth. Hanging legs of some sort of deer were covered in hearty herbs and roasted over a fire to near-blackness. Standing racks of ribs, basted with a sweet, tangy sauce, rested on the warmed countertop and large earthen pots full of bubbling stew were heated from underneath by beds of embers.
“What can I get for you?” a female elf voice called up from behind the counter. She was tending to firewood for the roasting pits that were spaced every few meters around the back of the stand.
“Two of everything, please!” Kida asked, coin purse jingling as she fumbled with it.
“Two of everything?! You must be craz- oh wow