It was early spring, the aroma of morning dew filling the breeze. It had been many months since I remembered breathing such fresh air. A day away from studying at the academy was a rare occurrence in the Kingdom, after all. From the onset of the summer solstice, there was not a single day we students were permitted to miss until the first thaws of winter. The great festival—held only once each year—was today. My lucky day. At last, I would get to enjoy the springtime of my youth in earnest.
The first rays of sunlight spilled over the horizon, glinting off red-tiled rooftops and the narrow canals that ran through the city like silver threads. I lingered by the window for a moment, breathing in the crisp morning air. It carried the familiar scent of sea salt from the coast, mingled with the warmth of freshly baked pies drifting from my parents' kitchen below. A strange sense of nostalgia stirred in my chest. For once, the academy's rules felt distant—unimportant.
I slipped out of the house before anyone could call me back, letting the door close softly behind me. Ardor stretched out before me as it always had, yet somehow felt new again. The capital of the Kingdom of Arcadia perched on the edge of the northern sea, its harbor already bustling with fishing boats and merchant vessels from distant lands. Gulls cried overhead as carts rattled along the cobblestones, and somewhere deeper in the city, faint music hummed through the streets like a promise of things to come.
By the time I reached the square, the fountain was already surrounded by early festival-goers. Katherine and Roland stood waiting just beside it, unmistakable even in the growing crowd. Katherine spotted me first.
"You're late," she said, arms crossed, though the smile she wore betrayed her tone.
"I had to make sure the pies were safe," I replied, holding up a still-warm pastry. Crumbs clung stubbornly to my fingers.
Roland laughed, shaking his head. "Never miss a chance to pig out, do you?"
Before I could answer, the city seemed to swell around us. Ardor came alive in full color and sound. Stalls lined every cobblestone alley, draped in banners that fluttered in the gentle wind. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meats, sweet pastries, and spices I couldn't name, all of it making my stomach grumble despite the pastry already half gone. Musicians filled the square with lively tunes, while dancers spun in bright, flowing garments, their laughter rising above the chatter of merchants and townsfolk alike. Everywhere I looked, there was something new to see—something begging to be touched, tasted, or explored.
"Race you to the first stall!" I shouted, already darting ahead, my pastry clutched tightly in one hand.
Katherine groaned but ran after me anyway, while Roland followed with a grin, trying—and failing—to keep pace.
"Arthur, don't get frosting all over the fountain again!" Roland called out. I could hear the laughter he tried to hide.
"I'll be sure to eat it all before I let a single crumb fall!" I yelled back, spinning in place and holding up my pastry like it was the most important treasure in the world.
Katherine rolled her eyes, but I caught the tiny smile tugging at her lips. She was excited too, even if she would never admit it.
And just like that, the festival had truly begun. The streets overflowed with color, smell, and sound, every corner promising something new to discover. With my friends beside me and the city buzzing all around, Ardor felt larger than it ever had before—and I couldn't wait to see what the day would bring.