The travelers entered the sacred grounds of the MyrRin people just as the sun began to set. Walking through the camp, they could see torches and bonfires flaring to life and bringing a different look to the grounds that daylight had not. The soft glow of the fires and the darkness beginning to press around the edges gave the Sacred Clearing an enchanting look. Having never been to the MyrRin continent before, some of the travelers were in awe of the different people that inhabited the land in peace and harmony. They all looked different. Some even flew overhead with glorious, downy feathers on display and some were slippery and slimy.
Luna, on the other hand, was not surprised. While she did not exactly remember her first time to the holy site, she felt comfortable and safe in a way she had not for a long time. She could show her ears and the people would not bat an eye. It was so refreshing after the chaos of the Elemn continent and the power struggles of the Hume continent. She felt like she was coming home. For the others, this place felt like the start of a new adventure.
The festival grounds were awash with activity. People walked, hopped, slithered and flew in every direction, darting around to speak to other friends and vendors. Every now and then a couple of hulking guards with large antlers would come walking through carrying large sledgehammers slung over a shoulder. Their casual menace was enough to keep the peace and the revelry at a manageable level.
As they walked deeper into the grounds, they were surprised to find that no one paid them any mind. They were not being gawked at or messed with. They were being allowed to walk freely in this area. Tobias was in a different situation. He was not afforded such courtesy. The group didn’t know why but they could see visible disgust, anger, and malice directed at Tobias. People steered clear of him and the crowd gave him a side berth as he walked through. It helped him get his cart through the crowds but Luna could tell it deeply affected him not to be accepted here. Still, he put on an inviting smile and never outwardly showed his hurt to the public.
She resolved to be as cheerful in the face of such adversity as he in the future. Trying to do her part. She cast a quick bit of simple magic and recreated the enticing aroma of Tobias’ meat buns around the cart. The people may still not speak to them but now they didn’t seem to be as angry, their aloof anger muted by the scent of delicious food. He seemed a bit happier after that so she kept it to herself and celebrated in silence.
They walked further and further into the grounds following a large object in the distance that Tobias seemed to be taking them to. It rose above the crowds like a jagged lightning bolt. Along the way, Drexla looked around vendors of trinkets and mechanical parts with a keen eye. The others were looking around to try and get their bearings. There were various paths branching off from the main road. What was once rows and rows of vendors and merchants gave way to domiciles. People in these areas were unpacking what looked like personal belongings and even some traveling furniture.
Seeing the living areas close the center made sense. They were safer together and protected in the center. The outside ring was also a protective ring around the young and old that often resided in the center. The smell of delicious cooking enticed them from every direction. The main group kept on going while Drexla was distracted by one of the vendors and made a beeline towards him.
She landed on the light wooden counter in front of him, in between rolls and rolls of scrolls. He jumped a little in surprise and asked,
“What are ya?”
He stuck out one of his claws to touch her. She gently batted him away and answered his question.
“I am a fairy.”
“Oh. What do you want? I got scrolls. You want scrolls?”
“Well actually, I was hoping we could partner up so you could sell some wares I don’t have time to.”
Saying that, Drexla took out a few of her clockwork miniatures and showed what they could do.
“But I sell scrolls.”
“I know, and if I find anyone that needs one, I will send them right over. Since you won’t be paying for these, you can make some gold off of them and just let them know my name as the inventor.”
“But I sell scrolls. See you can buy any scroll you may need. Maybe a scroll of distraction to hide from those kids following you around, when you need peace? Twenty five gold?”
“Do you have scroll that cast little magic?”
“Little magic?”
“You know, simple, small things, so easy it could do them over and over?”
“Oh no, these scrolls are one time use only.”
The group had realized Drexla had stayed behind and had caught up at this point. Bricky went to look at some of the wares. When the vendor asked if he was interested in anything Bricky said yes, but when asked if he wanted to buy something he confessed he had no money to purchase anything.
“Then don’t bother me, if you’re not gonna buy anything! Paying customers only!”
“Vell zat vas rude.”
“No, what is rude is coming to someone’s store, pawing their wares, and not purchasing anything! Come back when you can buy things.”
With that final job he turned back to Drexla.
“How about you, fifteen gold?”
After a bit of haggling, Drexla managed to get the scroll for thirteen gold. The stall owner was so paranoid that he held onto the scroll until the gold was in his hands. Then he handed it over to Drexla. Off they went, back into the crowds of the festival with Drexla clutching her beloved new scroll to herself as she followed the cart.
DnD Wife Stories 