The two went out into an open area, where a large three-story building surrounded the square. The wide doors were open and many tables stretched outside, taking up most of the space. Many of them were occupied by people who had lunch there during work, others drank and had fun.
In the far right corner of where they were, some people dressed up on a small stage, picking up instruments and talking to each other.
— Great! We will have music today.
The princess clapped her hands, and some people turned their heads at the noise, then everyone in the room stood up, waving and calling for her. Some even shouted the name of Eastar, who, ashamedly, waved his hand.
Sindar walked among the tables, greeting everyone, employees of large tavern, and the customers. The young star followed in her footsteps, smiling and shaking his head up and down as they greeted him.
She approached the group of musicians and said something to the man who was holding a wooden instrument with a teardrop shape and a cable with strings traversing its length, the star could not hear what they were saying and, when asked, his companion just shrugged.
The two sat at a table near the stage and were soon served. The food was not like the castle, but it was beautiful and smelled good. A tray of bread, cheese, and honey was set on his table along with a pitcher of beer, two mugs, and a bowl of broth.
Eastar looked at his guide, who held out his hands, then grinned and attacked the food.
She cuts a piece of bread, putting honey and cheese, eating small pieces, slowly, watching the young stellar.
The first time she had seen him eat was startled by his voracity, now she thought the scene was funny and only waited until he get tired of chewing and start talking, which took some good minutes.
— Looks like you have dedicated fans. — She said.
— What? — He raised his head, a mouth full as he chewed.
Sindar nodded to the left. The star stared in that direction and realized that Sean and Drun were sitting at a table talking to a waiter, making punch gestures, Eastar imagined the story they were telling.
At that moment the music began, and the sound caught the young star off guard. The lute began solo, the man strumming the strings was on the left side of the stage, wearing a gray robe that went down to the floor, a black mustache that curved upwards and the gourd-shaped hair covering his forehead.
From the strings of the lute came a slow and beautiful sound, Eastar watched as a woman in a dress - also gray - and curly, neck-length hair put an instrument in her mouth.
— That's a flute. — Sindar whispered.
Her melody joined the music, rhythmic and high.
Then another man, who was barefoot, dressed in a windbreaker and green pants, sitting in a crate in the middle of the other two began to beat the wood. The young star realized that this was another instrument. The three suddenly increased speed and, similarly, stopped playing. The man sitting at the box began to sing.
Oh The day began in the sunlight
But where are the everybody?
Oh The great Belron shines with might
Bringing everyone a good memory
So let's sing for all to hear
Let them get up from their beds and greet
Cause the day is there and took away the fear
All together, now, are dancing on your feets!
The instruments returned, and the crowd joined the music. His verses kept talking about the morning dew and the birds singing over the trees, about the arrival of the afternoon and the food that was set on the table. After describing the rising and dying of the day, the song came to an end and everyone cheered.
Sindar had sung along with all the music and Eastar realized that this tune was a kind of greeting, a ritual. He continued to stare at the princess, fascinated by her voice.
She was cheering more enthusiastically now than anyone, so she got up and waved her arm to get the man's attention with the lute, he shook his head and talked to his partner sitting in the box, they both talked to the woman and prepared for the next song.
A hero at our gates
A star is born
With the force of a thousand thunders
A star is born
— Oooooh... — He noticed the reference in these first verses and widened his eyes. — Don't tell me this is what I'm thinking.
— YEAH! — Sindar jumped out of his chair without holding back the excitement. —I heard it yesterday and thought you would like it.
Shee offered a hand to her companion, who accepted and escorted her to the front of the stage, where there was an open space without tables.
The princess began to dance and Eastar joined her, stars enjoyed dancing, although their dances were different and more complex, but he quickly understood how this one worked there and accompanied his partner as she tapped and surrounded him. The music continued, and people cheered.
Didn't stop to think
The monsters he will win
Our princess he saved
Is a hero we got
A star is born
With the entrance of the second chorus other people got up and joined the dance of the two, the melody was fun and catchy , and whenever repeated "Fell from heaven" everyone sang together, even the woman with the flute , taking a quick break but that fit majestically with the rhythm of the melody. The man in the crate seemed to work hard, a quick, rhythmic drumbeat, while the lute was strung by the man's fingers with its black mustache.
Then came the last part of the song and everyone was already sweaty and red. The song followed the version of the cornaro fight that Sindar had told the children earlier. She laughed at the top of her lungs as she hugged her partner, who spun her around and set her down to tap around her. He was pulling her by the arm and she was turning it back and forth.
He began to glow, a bluish light almost invisible in the sunlight, but which the princess saw, and thus realized that he was having a good time.
Just sing along
And get the tone
Everybody thanks him
Wonder the fights he'll win
We know that a star is born
Everyone shouted the last sentence together and a burst of laughter and applause was heard far away when the song ended.
Eastar received congratulations from many people and thanked them awkwardly until the princess pushed him away.
— Who taught you how to dance like this? — She asked.
— My dad.
She raised an eyebrow.
— He says that for someone to know how to fight he needs to know how to dance. — Seeing her partner's confused look, he put a finger to his complaint and tried to explain. — Sync, lightness ... He calls it "The Battle Dance".
— I should imagine ... soldier.
— Hey?! — He spread his arms.
— Okay, I admit it's very useful. — The princess laughed.
They both started walking and looked around.
People started to leave, men and women would go to the shops or home after a lunch break. As they gathered and returned talking to each other, some mothers set off after their children who took advantage of the confusion to disappear from their sight and go play with their friends.