The sun was on the move to reach the horizon while the people of the Stormfront were occupied to set up the stage for their festival.
The Lunar festival was hailed widely at this time of the month, anytime in this specific week. Some do celebrate on the first day and some prefer to celebrate the last day of the week and some people usually celebrate the whole week like in the big cities or the capital of the empire.
In the village, Village Square had been selected to celebrate the festival. The same location where the last celebration was held. The wide area was surrounded by houses from left to right and had an inn at the front.
The floor has been cleared of the weed all around till the roads end and tables have been set in spirals with benches and stools. In the middle of all those things was a great campfire which has not been lit yet. Children and youngsters were bringing lumber from the pile at the corner where all the chopped wood was amassed yesterday. The old people were organizing it into the camp pit so they could stay still while burning in holy fire.
The innkeeper was instructing around as barrels of ale had been getting positioned on each table with Bottles and mugs. Reo had a wooden box of Ale bottles that he was trying to smuggle for his friends avoiding the eyes of his big brother who was managing the report.
On the table, there were various kinds of food seated beside ale barrels and bottles. The ladies, young and old alike had to work all day long to prepare this amount of food, sweets, drinks, and fruits for the festival.
Every person assisted in the preparation of the festival on their own accord, financial situation, and physical capacity. Nobody was forced to do the work they never wanted yet the people gave their all in their way even ten-year-old children helped by collecting branches in the woods.
In a few hours, a bright moon emerged unveiling its glow all around the land. The moment to start the festival arrived and people gathered with bright smiles.
Everyone wore something lovely or their family heirlooms. It was a special occasion after all, unlike nobles the commoners have few occasions to celebrate but even these few times they enjoy their heart's content.
The women wore their favored clothes and makeup, especially the newlyweds and young women. They have been putting their all to look fairer and beautiful. Lovely Necklaces, earrings, and other jewelry, they did not hesitate to go all out and show off their collection.
Noah grabbed a seat in the corner, near the table with a lot of food items. He has particularly selected this place from where he can attend everything that is happening at the festival.
The village chief stood by the campfire holding a burning torch in his hands as he began his speech.
Villagers gathered around him, one side men and the other side women intently listening to his kind words.
A few youngsters grabbed stools and chatted ideally and at the same time stared at the beautiful girls of their village. Ordinary-looking girls were now looking as if fairies from the sky.
Noah sat alone with his thoughts, different from another. He was evaluating how many things he can put inside the inventory. This was heaven, everything was free, and in large quantities. Unlike last time he had decided to be shameless and do what he wanted to do. Gobble up everything!
Astrid stood in the crowd with her friends by her side, listening to the Village chief's speech. She wore a beautiful green gown with a silver necklace. Her hair fell free down to her waist and floated with each breeze.
Noah observed her from afar, silently without making an active effort to match her gaze. There were several beauties by her side like her friends but she looked more attractive because of her figure. The green gown revealed a hint of cleavage which was enough to make any mouth gape. Further, the gown tightened and embraced her waist.
He averted his gaze as people began clapping after the village chief's speech ended as the chief proceeded to light the campfire. Blazing flames arose trying to reach the sky itself as laughs and cheers responded around.
Noah did not move for a while, he just looked around nodding his head and greeting people who glanced at him while on their way to their family and friends.
Usually, people stay with their families during the lighting of the flames to watch the graceful flames. There was no one Noah could feel this bond with other than the old man and he was not here this time. He dearly missed him.
As for speaking Noah had spent the whole two years among these people but he was not part of the village nor did he have anyone that bonded him with the village. He was an outsider and will always be one as long as he did not choose to marry someone from this village.
Families gathered around the campfire and began offering to the holy flames, together. Noah rubbed his eyes hard leaning back on the table.
"You should also go and offer something!" The smith spoke taking a huge sip from the mug. He was sitting a few stools away. He was also alone like Noah.
"I know the feeling... That desire to have someone who we can call family" he laughed and then went silent. "not many are blessed with that gift"
Noah remained silent but in his mind, he had begun pondering over Smith's story. As the saying goes everyone has their story to tell, a different journey but the same ends. He has a slight idea from his grandfather that Smith was also like him, a family-less man.
"You know, I and your grandfather are the same in this aspect. We both had families but lost them" Smith shifted to take another mug and then continued. "He lost his family because of the accident and I lost it because of this damn thing"
He raised the mug and then gave a silent smirk. Noah felt uneasy by his words but did not dare to speak his mind, after all, he had no idea what this man in front of him had been through.
"I took everything for granted, my skills and youth and my family, and as a result, I lost two of the things and soon will end up losing everything" Smith remained quiet for some time. "But you my boy, have a bright future ahead of you. You will make mistakes and learn from them but Do not ever take anything for granted! Never"
Noah nodded his head and then laughed with old Smith. They both had no words to exchange after this conversation so they decided to remain silent and watch the festival before their eyes.
Astrid tossed a few things into the flames. Food, coins, and anything villagers held got tossed into flames.
The belief behind doing all that was anything you offered tonight will come in many, in a few days by moon goddess strange blessing.
Essentially, if one is only able to surrender a coin in the holy flames due to economic background then Goddes Luna will make him wealthy enough to make him offer more coins next time.
Noah many times pondered on this strange belief, for him the goddess was like an investor. You offer me anything and next time I will expect more from you and she will put you in that place so you could offer her without a single thought.
"You should go and offer something" Smith lets out turning his attention back to the food in front of him. "And don't pass over girls, yeah talk to them and have fun. At least your old man will feel at ease"
Noah rolled his eyes, shaking his head. Even if the old man was not here he had made sure not to leave his dear grandson alone. Sometimes Noah wonders why he pushes him so much to get too close to girls.
Noah took a good look around, nobody was paying attention to him as they were all busy offering things to the holy flames. He stored many food items in his inventory, sweat, and drinks including whole dishes and bottles of ales. He scoured his inventory before joining the feast for this objective.
Even if the old man was not here he can taste the excellent food of the festival. This was his veil for his doings, all this because he cared for the old man nothing else...
He made his way slowly to the flames as people began joining the tables with their families and friends.