September 12, 535
It was midday and the sounds of the festival beamed through the small window in the cabin. When Eldric awoke, Michael had already been out, and the thought of Kastor, Erick, and Hagen seeing him again kept him indoors. He wandered from his bed to the table, then from the table to the kitchen area, then back to his bed almost on loop as he tried to pass the time until he was needed at the banquet.
Michael returned holding various items he received at the banquet. He smiled at Eldric and presented each one individually, almost proud of himself. The items weren't too extravagant, just a few ribbons, hats, and a stuffed toy he tossed onto the bed.
"The festival is quite something," Michael stated. "You sure you don't want to come out?"
"I'm certain. There's nothing I need less than being arrested by the imperials after I've come so far."
"Not even for a little bit? You could come for an hour or two just to see it."
Eldric shook his head. "I'm not trying to risk it."
"You won't be risking it." Michael sat at the table and looked at Eldric with serious eyes. "Think about it logically. If they were to arrest you today, they'd be doing it in front of a large crowd gathering. They wouldn't be in republic police clothes, and the public would be in an outrage. How quickly could you exclaim that they're imperials before they're tackled to the ground by mere civilians. You have nothing to worry about."
"But what if they are in republic police clothes? Then your point is mute."
"They don't want to risk you leaving the town. If you leave, they have no idea where you'd go. Reinbose is massive and there's at least five towns that are just a day's walk away from Greenwood. You could be anywhere if they let you get away, and they're trying to avoid that."
"So what are you suggesting?"
"I think they're hiding out somewhere, hoping to catch you when you leave the city. There's only so many exits you can take, so they're thinking they could split up and catch you at one of the exits."
"So I never leave the city?"
Michael laughed. "No, I'm not saying that either. Eventually they have to give up. Also, there's likely an exit you can take not known to the general public. I can ask Dr. Eckhart about it after the banquet if you'd like."
Eldric thought about Michael's words. He didn't reply, leaving the room in silence.
"Look," Michael said, "I'm not going to force you to come outside. I would hope you decide to, after all it's one of the last things we'll do as a duo. However, if you decide to stay inside until the banquet, that's perfectly fine."
Eldric smirked sarcastically. "Look at you, I thought we weren't a 'duo'."
Michael scoffed. "We aren't. I just think sitting inside being depressed isn't the way a new republic citizen should be handling himself."
Eldric laughed. "Fine. You win. I'll tag along for a little bit. However, if the imperials show up, I'll count on you to get me away from them."
Michael smiled. "That's fine by me."
* * *
The festival was loud as people flooded the streets in bright colors even more vibrant than the days before. Music was played joyfully throughout as bands of various size and style gathered people around them. Children ran about with faces painted in intricate designs, while vendors called out, enticing the crowd with sweet treats and savory delicacies. The scent of roasting meats, fresh bread, and spiced pastries mingled in the air, creating a heady mix that drew Eldric further into the heart of the festivities.
Eldric and Michael weaved through the throngs of festival-goers, taking in the sights and sounds. Michael led the way, occasionally stopping to greet acquaintances or to point out a particularly interesting stall. Eldric followed closely, his eyes darting around, half in awe and half in apprehension.
"Relax, Eldric," Michael said, noticing his tension. "No one's paying us any mind."
Eldric nodded but kept his guard up. The vibrancy of the festival was almost overwhelming after the relative quiet of the cabin. He took a deep breath, trying to immerse himself in the experience. They passed a group of dancers performing a lively folk dance, their movements synchronized and energetic. Eldric couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm.
"See? It's not so bad," Michael said playfully. "Let's grab something to eat."
They entered a large street where crowds were roped to either side and approached a food stall where an elderly woman was serving a local specialty—spiced meat skewers and a type of flatbread that was a staple in the region. Michael ordered for both of them, and soon they were seated at a nearby bench, enjoying their meal.
"This is really good," Eldric admitted between bites.
Michael grinned. "There's a lot you can tell about a place by the quality of its food."
"Even still, the food from the past couple days doesn't hold a candle to this!"
Michael laughed loudly. "Of course! Most everyone was waiting for today to bring their best cuisine. The republic has some of the best meat out there, much better than the factory-made slop the empire has!"
As they ate, a parade began to make its way down the main thoroughfare. Floats decorated with flowers and banners rolled by, each representing different districts of the Reinbose Republic. Performers in elaborate costumes danced and waved to the crowd, eliciting cheers and applause.
Eldric's eyes widened as he spotted a float dedicated to the city's history. It featured figures dressed as historical leaders and scenes depicting significant events. "They really go all out for this," he remarked.
"Not just here, either," Michael replied. "I've never been, but I hear the festival in Oneseo, the capital, is even bigger than this one! Though they hold their festival at the start of summer back in June."
"How come?"
"Not sure," Michael said, taking another bite of his food, "I think it has something to do with the migration of the stags in the forest from the north to the south. Even if they aren't the Lunaris Stag, Reinbosians love the animal regardless."
Eldric and Michael continued to watch the parade, captivated by the vibrant displays. As the last float passed by, the crowd dispersed, mingling back into the bustling festival. The sounds of laughter, music, and conversation filled the air, creating an infectious energy that lifted Eldric's spirits.
"Let's try something different," Michael suggested, standing up and stretching. "How about we check out the competitions? There's always something interesting going on."
They made their way through the crowd toward an area where various competitions were taking place. Along the way, they saw a man stood upon a statue of Meinir Rietveld belting to the crowd to join around him. Michael and Eldric joined, hearing that the man was speaking in Aldari, the language of the Republic.
"What's he saying?" Eldric asked.
Michael's face squished. "I have a rough idea, it's something about protesting the Northern War." Michael recited what he heard from the man, speaking slowly so he had the right words.
'Citizens of the Reinbose Republic, brothers and sisters.
'Today, we gather to honor the legacy of a great hero, Meinir Rietveld, whose courage and vision gave birth to our beloved Reinbose Republic. Meinir's fight was one for freedom, for justice, and for the dignity of every individual. He led us from the shadows of tyranny into the light of hope and possibility.
'As we celebrate Meinir's legacy, it is essential to reflect on what he stood for. He fought against oppression, not just for the liberation of his own people, but for a world where such oppression could never take root again. His dream was one of peace and unity, where every person could live free from fear and persecution.
'Yet, as we stand here today, I cannot help but see that we are straying from that dream. The so-called Northern War rages on, a conflict that serves the interests of distant powers while endangering the lives of the citizens of Rivercrest, Balcesteria, Mondal, and Wargia. This quasi-war, this cold and calculating struggle, turns our neighboring nations into battlegrounds, bringing devastation and sorrow to lands that should be our allies and friends.
'This is not the legacy Meinir would have wanted for us. He did not fight for freedom so that we could become instruments of conflict and chaos. He fought for a world where peace reigns, where justice is served, and where the dignity of every human being is upheld. We must ask ourselves: are we honoring his memory by allowing this war to continue?
'We are the people of the North, the South, the West, and the East—farmers, craftsmen, teachers, and healers. Our lands are rich with history, our cultures vibrant and unique. Yet, we are being reduced to mere pawns in a game of power and ambition. Our lives, our futures, are being gambled away by forces far removed from our everyday realities.
'We must stand together and demand an end to this madness. We must raise our voices, loud and unwavering, to call for peace and justice. Let us remind those who wield power that we are not mere instruments of their ambitions. We are human beings with dreams, with hopes, with rights.
'Let us honor Meinir Rietveld's legacy not just with words, but with actions. Let us demand that our leaders cease this conflict, recognize the humanity in us, and prioritize the well-being of all citizens over the demands of foreign powers. Together, we can forge a future where peace and unity prevail, where our children can grow up in a world free from the shadows of war.
'Stand with me, my brothers and sisters. Stand for peace. Stand for our future. Stand for the Northern States, and let us be heard. Let us honor Meinir's legacy by choosing the path of peace and solidarity.
'Thank you.'
The audience reacted in several ways. Some cheered enthusiastically, while others scoffed and spat at the man who waved to his supporters.
"Aren't the police going to come and arrest him?" Eldric asked.
"Why would they?"
"Isn't it obvious? He just spoke against the very government whose president is here. He's a safety issue for them, even if he might be right."
Michael chuckled. "The republic is very different than the empire, Eldric."
Eldric looked at him with a blank stare as Michael pulled him into the crowd once more to watch the competitions. The first event they stumbled upon was an archery contest. Participants lined up to take their shots, aiming for the bullseye on distant targets. Eldric and Michael watched as archers of all ages and skill levels demonstrated their prowess.
"Think you could do that?" Michael asked, chuckling.
Eldric shook his head with a smile. "I'll leave it to the experts. They sure are impressive to watch."
"Oh, yeah. Reinbose has Alcrest's most famous archery school, Geneve Academy. Not that I know any, but some of the most famous archers on the continent have come out of that school."
"It's a bit obsolete though, isn't it?" Eldric asked. "I mean, with guns and all."
"Sure, but bows are much quieter. You'll see stealth missions use bows much more often than guns, same with hunting."
They continued exploring and came across a blacksmithing competition. Skilled blacksmiths were hard at work, shaping molten metal into intricate designs. The air was filled with the rhythmic clang of hammers striking anvils, and the crowd marveled at the craftsmanship on display.
"Look at that," Eldric said, pointing to a young blacksmith who was creating a beautiful sword. "The detail is incredible."
Michael nodded. "It's amazing how they can turn raw metal into something so elegant. They have blacksmiths in the Empire, don't they?"
Eldric nodded. "Yeah, but they're much more mechanical than this. Barely any people touch the actual metal while they make it, it's all left to pulleys and metal machines."
"Einrich was always much more mechanically proficient, I guess." Michael shook his head. "I've always gotten my weapons from people, though."
"What do you mean?"
"Never got them from machines. Land of Solitude isn't rich enough to have them anyways, so I always needed to find a weaponsmith to make my rifles."
As they moved on, they noticed a crowd gathering around a large tent. Curious, they joined the throng and discovered a storytelling competition in progress. Participants took turns on a small stage, sharing tales of heroism, adventure, and romance. The audience listened intently, reacting with cheers, laughter, and applause.
"I never was one for stories," Michael stated.
Eldric chuckled. "How come?"
"I've often found that the people telling stories do so because they wish they could live those adventures themselves. If you want to go on an adventure, go do it! Don't sit in your room conjuring up tales—live them instead!"
"There is a bit of a novelty, though, of people being able to weave characters through a world of their own."
Michael shrugged. "I guess, but it romanticizes that world they've created. It's easy to make things seem perfect or exciting in a story. Reality is different. It's messier, more unpredictable."
"That's true," Eldric admitted. "But there's value in stories, too. They inspire people, give them hope. Sometimes, they even teach lessons that we wouldn't learn otherwise."
Michael glanced at the stage where a young woman was recounting a thrilling escape from a dragon's lair. "I suppose."
"Even then, when all is said and done we'll have our own stories to tell. Of our lives, and of the people we met."
"Maybe," Michael replied with a grin.
They found a spot to sit and enjoyed the stories, feeling a sense of connection to the rich history and culture of the Reinbose Republic. One storyteller recounted the legend of the Lunaris Stag, a mythical creature said to bring good fortune to those who spotted it. Eldric was captivated by the tale, imagining the majestic stag wandering through the ancient forests.
After the storytelling, they wandered over to an area where people were participating in traditional games and sports. A game of tug-of-war was in full swing, with teams of villagers straining against each other. Eldric and Michael cheered along with the crowd, caught up in the excitement.
Nearby, a group of children were playing a game called "Stone Leap," where they took turns hopping across a series of large, flat stones arranged in a circle. Eldric and Michael watched with amusement as the children competed with enthusiasm, their laughter ringing out.
Michael looked to the sky and noticed the sun dipping close to the rooftops, dimming the sky. "It's about that time."
Eldric looked at him and nodded. Let's get going.
* * *
As Eldric and Michael wandered to the outskirts of the festival, they stumbled upon a scene that was starkly different from the joy and unity of the main celebration. In a narrow alley, a small group of three well-dressed men stood around a clothed woman with tan skin. The men were kicking the woman and tugging her by her hair, dragging her across the ground as they jeered and mocked her clothing. The woman silently cried as two children with the same skin and clothes as the woman watched in horror. Eldric watched on in horror as memories flashed back to him. His arms trembled as his lips quivered.
"There it is…" Michael noted. "The dark side of the republic." He turned his head downward as he continued to walk past the scene. "Let's keep moving. It'll be over soon."
Eldric stood for a few more moments before his body moved before he could think. He tugged Michael's arm and pulled him back. "We can't just leave her there."
Michael sighed. "Unfortunately, that's all we can do. That woman is from the east, where the nomads roam and form tribes. Western Reinbosians hate them. This kind of thing... it's ugly, but it's woven into the fabric of the republic. Stepping in could just make things worse for everyone."
He pulled away from Michael, stepping toward the group. "No, we can't just walk away. That's not right."
As Eldric approached the scene, his legs shook with every step, the soles of his feet pulsing every time they hit the floor. He could hear the jeers more clearly now, being spoken in a language he could understand.
One man pulled the woman to his face as he knelt down. "Dirty nomads. Can't you settle like civilized folks or is that too much for your kind?"
The second man laughed. "I hear they worship ghosts! No wonder there's so many of them here, they're trying to taint us with their blasphemous dark-skinned religions."
The third and final man spat on the woman, kicking her in the chest. "Yeah, these dark-skins are like the plague. They just don't know their place in society."
Eldric heard the woman speak in Aldari, though he couldn't understand. The language seemed to only make the men angrier as they picked her up by her throat and threw her against the wall, causing the children to exclaim cries of worry and urgency.
Eldric raised his voice, his presence commanding attention. "Hey, that's enough!" he shouted, drawing the eyes of both the harassers and the woman.
The men turned towards him, surprised and defensive. "This doesn't concern you," one of them spat, his face showing a mix of surprise and disdain.
"It does when you're harassing my woman!" Eldric countered firmly. He thought that if he played to their side, they might leave her alone. "She's mine to deal with, and I'd like you not to spoil the fun when there's so much left to do!"
The group muttered among themselves, sizing up Eldric, who stood resolute. The tension was palpable, but Eldric's intervention had caused some of the harassers to hesitate, their confidence wavering as they realized they were being challenged.
"So you're on our side?" the first said, a hint of caution in his tone. "This woman here," he gestured disdainfully towards the Easterners, "she's yours?."
Eldric nodded his head, stepping closer. "And I'd hope you don't ruin my goods."
The locals eyed Eldric for a tense moment before the apparent leader shrugged, signaling his group to disperse. "Fine," he muttered, "I'm sure there's more dark-skins out there, right boys?"
The other two nodded and grinned. "Have fun with her!" They exclaimed as they walked away, chuckling.
Eldric waited until they were out of sight to move. At this point, Michael had joined him by his side, his face relieved the situation didn't escalate further. Turning to the woman, Eldric extended a hand. "Are you alright?"
The woman nodded, a mix of relief and gratitude in her eyes. She stood and was greeted by the two children who jumped on her and hugged her as they cried. She spoke in Aldari to them before turning to Eldric and nodding her head once more. She stated one line in Aldari before rising, dusting herself off, and dashing away with the children.
"Your gratitude speaks volumes, friend," Michael stated.
"What?"
"That's what she said to you. It was in Aldari, so I doubt you knew what it meant."
Eldric smiled, a bitter-sweet feeling washing over him. "Well, today's supposed to be about celebration, right? Let's try to keep it that way."
"Still, though," Michael said calmly, "why did you help her?"
Eldric sighed. "I related to her, I guess."
Michael watched Eldric, waiting for more from him, but more never came. The two continued their journey home, the joyous sounds and bright colors now carrying a different weight for Eldric, a reminder of the stark contrasts within the Reinbose Republic.
Michael looked at Eldric, a complicated expression on his face. "You were right to step in. I'm sorry."
Eldric did not reply.
* * *
The two returned to the small cabin to change into their nice clothes and walked over to the mansion. By the time they reached the building, the sun had long been set and the large building was bright with lights as people dressed in fancy clothes came in droves to enter the mansion. Five guards stood at the front gate, each one checking a different person's invitation. Michael and Eldric stepped to one of the guards as Michael stuck out the invitation the governor gave him days prior.
"Tëldiën, gentëmenën, welkatë të Banquët Presidentä." The guard bowed as he took the invitation from Michael and read it. Good evening gentlemen, welcome to the President's Banquet
Bowing, Michael responded. "Tëldiën, sirä." Good evening, sir.
The guard handed the invitation back to Michael. "Ës mëkat dzë sën jë?" Is it just the two of you?
"Tïk, sirä," Michael responded, nodding. "Ëtrië vërën mëkat zërni nëtä." Yes, sir. Our third could not make it tonight.
"Ë shamë." A shame.
"Tïk, jë ë." Truly, it is.
"Dës mëkat ën sën Banquët Presidentä mëbëfërë?" Have either of you been to the President's banquet before?
Michael exchanged a look with Eldric, who in return gave him a blank stare indicating his lack of knowledge in the conversation. "Në, sirä, mëkatën zërni." No, sir, we haven't.
"Jëkat." The guard turned to the inside and indicated with his hands. "Në vërën ëntë, dzë mëkatë sën mëni mënat mëdrëstë së më, dzën gëidë mëkatë të ballërumë. Dzë Banquëtë mëkatë në mëni, në dzë sën mëkat në rësënë të livë dzë ballërumë dzës ëndë ë sëremonïë. Dës sënë ærïsë, plësë nët hësitëtë të letë mënat së më nëë." I see. When you enter the building, there will be several men dressed as I am who can guide you to the ballroom. The banquet will be hosted in there, and there should be no reason to leave the ballroom until the end of the ceremony. Should something arise, please do not hesitate to let one of us know.
"Gräzïas," Michael responded, bowing again. Thank you.
The guard smiled. "Në, gräzïas. Ënjöyë yër nightë, gentëmenën." No, thank you. Enjoy your night, gentlemen.