Later in the evening, Alex, in his wandering drive, stumbled across a group of adults coming down the main road. They had woolen bags slung over their backs, wheels filled with fresh vegetables from the farm, and carts stuffed with wineskins, jars, and barrels of ale. Most of them were farmers from the neighbouring community—just as bright, just as cheerful, and just as carefree as this community was concerning the matters of the city. They were peasants, but happy peasants, for they found joy in tiling the ground, in harvesting produce, and most importantly, in grand, jolly feasts.
"They must be going to Betty's," thoughtAlex with an expectant smile. The company, numbering just a little over thirty, sang a sweet song as they went, striding down the clearing. Even the grass on both sides seemed to dance to their tunes, as some women played cymbals, some men flute, and some others simply rejoiced for being here. Alex knew what this meant: a party by nightfall.
Quickly, he ran towards the group, nearly slipping down a muddy slope and bumping into a huge rock. A man walked by the side of a cart—moved by two large, horned red pigs that munched on grass, while he chewed on a sweet-tasting stick, with three pouch bags tied to his waist.
"Hoho! Careful now," he urged in a jolly voice, his belly swaying as he moved. "The ground is still wet from rain."
"Mr Collingwood!" Alex called, coming towards his side. "Is there going to be a feast?"
Mr Collingwood laughed. "So that's what got you so excited. You know we love these feasts. And today's harvest was plentiful."
"We now have enough to feed the kids for a year!" another man added, clapping to the tune. "We're, of course, having a little feast to celebrate that."
Alex grinned, nearly salivating from the thought. "There's going to be lots of food tonight, yes?"
"And much to drink!" Mr Collingwood cheered. "But, aren't you too young for wine?"
"Not any more," said Alex with a confident smile. "I'll be eighteen in three months. Then I'll be able to go hunting in the deeper parts with Mr Jones! I can drink wine as well!"
"Why? You don't like farming?" Mr Collingwood laughed again. "Still, you're a child. I'll see to it that you have nothing but water."
"Hey!"
"Hahaha. Fine. I'll let you have a little wine," he permitted. "Oh! But what about that reserved friend of yours?"
"Aiden? Well, he is doing great."
"Is he not coming?"
"Well…"
At this moment, Mr Collingwood realised that there were some problems with him. He also knew that it was related to the Old Witch, because Aiden was known for his strategic resistance against her power.
"Tell him I called," he said. "That we should all talk about it."
*******
When the sun had sunk—from sky, to land, and out, so did the peaceful town of Edensville in the darkness that claimed it. But, in that dark, was a single light, and it came from a bar—in and out.
Under the starry sky was a large, round wooden table, embellished with certain stones that glowed under moonlight. Many sat around this table, just as some others did in the bar, eating, chatting and laughing to themselves. At one end, was the brown-haired dwarf named Goliath who thought himself deserving of that seat as he had fashioned the table. He had brown beards, which he loved to rub every now and then, and his fingers were adorned with many rings—some made of gold, and others of silver. His eyes were hard to see—nearly resembling thin slits, but his nose stood proudly, just like his ears did, which twitched every time one spoke of him.
At the other end, was Aiden, sitting farthest from the light, and towards the darkness of the forest. He said not a word, unlike the other fifteen, as he was deep in thoughts. Occasionally, he would sip his wine, drop the mug, and play with his fingers. However, Alex had passed out from a single mug of wine, and was lying on the grass, as he had fallen from his seat.
"Merry night everyone!" cheered Mr Collingwood picking a meat wedge in his teeth whilst he strided from the bar. Two kids ran past him. One tripped and fell. The other laughed.
"Take it easy, little ones, or I might send you home," he warned.
"Sorry, Mr Collingwood," the kids echoed, before darting off. They were children of the Orphanage, along with sixty more who either played around, stole from the adult's plates despite having eaten their fill, or spoke to a 'certain mischievous brat'.
Mr Collingwood scanned around with his eyes, but he couldn't find Aiden because of his position. Instead, what he found was Emily the fairy, appearing like a lightbulb in his eyes, who was speaking to a group of children in a circle.
"Oh goodness!" At once, he hurried towards the group, for he knew that she was feeding them nothing but lies. Unfortunately, he was slow. Emily flew off into the woods before he could come, and the children scattered about like fireflies.
Mr Collingwood panted. "And the remaining two fairies! Lily, and Rose! Where are they?"
Goliath the Dwarf laughed, rubbing his beard after emptying his fifteenth jug. "Rose was right here, not long ago, playing with my beards. But, she heard your voice and ran away. As for Lily, she's over there.."he pointed at a barrel of ale under the table. "drowning in beer as usual."
"How did she even get in?"
"She's quite sneaky for a fairy, you know," said Goliath. "Though, she shines like a lamppost at nighttime, and is very easy to spot from afar."
"She must have been there since evening," said a blonde woman of enthralling beauty, who also came from the bar. This woman was Betty, often referred to as Second Mother for her hospitality towards the children of the Orphanage, even after Sabrinna's passing.
Mr Collingwood rubbed his hand with a handkerchief, before reaching into one of his pouch bags—where there was a bundle of sticks, to obtain one. He sighed, feeling all the stress vanish as the twig kissed his tongue. It tasted sweet, like honey mixed with syrup and butter.
"Where might the crimson eyes be?" he asked. By 'crimson eyes', he meant Aiden.
Goliath seemed surprised. "What do you mean? He's right behind you."
Mr Collingwood turned…and nearly fell on his bum. He staggered before coming to a halt, seeing that Aiden was indeed standing behind him.
"Goodness! When might you have come here?" he asked, a little upset by his sudden appearance. "Never mind that, where have you been?!"
Aiden was standing not far from a tree, holding a double-headed snake that struggled in his grasp.
"I have been here since the sun fell," he replied. "But, then I spotted this Glyk slithering towards the children, and decided to come here before disposing of it."
Mr Collingwood furrowed his brows. "The light of the fairies must have drawn it here. Keep the children away from the forests."
"Very well," answered Aiden.
"If the children don't listen, show them the Glyk. A little fright keeps them from harm," suggested Mr Collingwood. "After that, come to the bar. Someone from the city wishes to see you. He's a Soul Walker, just like yourself."
"Hm?"
Who may that be?
"If you're curious, come along," he waved, walking away. "We must talk after this."