Amaya laughed, skipping away from one of her suitors. "I don't think I gave you permission to touch me quite there, Johnathan. For shame- you didn't even ask me to the dance tomorrow night." She faked a pout, "And I had so wanted to dance with you too."
The sun shone brightly with the golden light of the harvest time, washing everything with a gentle warmth. A cool breeze swept through the town, carrying with it the promise of winter. It ruffled the skirt of her dress, and tugged at her hair as it passed by them. The sounds of preparation for the big night drifted through on the wind as well, along with the murmur of of merchants selling their goods, the chatter of the excited townsfolk... Amaya loved the harvest festival.
She blew a kiss at the youth before her. "I must be off. Try and find me at the dance tomorrow night... If you're lucky, I'll still have a dance left for such a lovely boy as yourself!" She picked up her lute that she had set to the side when she had met up with the boy and decided a little kissing in an alcove never hurt anyone. But she was about to be late, and she had promised that she would play in the square for a while... and if it happened that the merchants were a bit more free with their wares, so be it.
She near danced into the town square, almost as lithe on her feet as dancer. She spun, a smile on her lips as she started to play a tune, her fingers merrily skipping over the strings of the lute.
--- ---
Kella let Starlight pick her way though the crowd, her eyes on the people around her, searching for trouble out of habit. She was unawares of the man tailing her, but her eyes picked up most everything else. She didn't bother with the minnows - small time thieves, pickpockets and the like - it was the job of the city guard to do that, and honestly she couldn't help but feel sorry for the children that were forced to do it to live. So she turned away when she saw it. But she did keep an eye out for bigger happenings, breaking up a fight once she was almost to the city gates.
The scuffle seemed to be between two groups of men, and from the colored scraps of cloth tied to each arm, members of opposing street gangs. Kella frowned, wondering if she ought to step in before things got worse as a man on the left called out, "An' yer missy's been sniffing around our turf! Canno' keep her satisfied, ye bloody bloated-bellied pignut?"
And it was the insult on the other mans lover that seemed to put the fight over the edge of throwing insults to throwing punches. Swiftly moving in on Starlight, Kella called over the din, "In the King's name, cease this nonsense!" She used her shield to separate the men, and when that didn't work, "I'm on top of a warhorse trained for battle. Stop this at once, or else it'll be her you'll be dealing with!" Taking her still-sheathed sword, she placed bruising raps on arms and torsos, and slowly got the fight under control. "Now. Go back to your own turf, and remember the market is to be kept free from all gang related violence! If I catch you at it again, I'll be leaving you with more than bruises." Kella's voice was cool, commanding, and left no room for argument. The men left, grumbling but compliant, and Kella continued on her path, not fully realizing that she easily stopped a fight that could have turned into an all-out gang war.
Sitting up on her mount as she reached the gates, Kella grinned. "We'll put some speed on now, won't we, girl?" She asked, stroking Starlight's neck. The mare tossed her head as if in agreement. They reached the open road, the breeze bringing with it the scent of the forest and clearing away the smoke and stench of too many people the city reeked of. And with a toss of her mane, Starlight broke out into a trot, then a gallop. Kella laughed, enjoying this simple moment of pleasure, as they headed down the road.
--- ---
Smiling at his words, Astrid shrugged. "We do well enough. Enough that I can spare you a few berries, at least." The wind blew across them, bringing with it the scent of earth and the sweet smell of strawberries.
"You shouldn't have helped me. Now when they come through you'll get in trouble." Her smiled faded as she watched him look over their fields.
She tilted her head and looked at him, locks of brown hair stirring in the breeze. Her hair ribbon floated up to lightly kiss her cheek. "All I did was share my meal. I don't know how that could be considered helping when it looks like you could use at least another ten good meals." She paused. "And what do you mean, trouble? Who are 'they'?" Astrid sat there, staring at him, the rest of her food untouched, waiting for an answer. A feeling of dread started to creep up in her stomach; she hoped she hadn't just helped a murder or some such thing.
--- ---
Well, this is just peachy. Irritation clearly written across her face, she stormed up to Lyrus.
"Look you- he is not your wife's killer. Taking your anger out on him won't bring her back! You need to realize that while it might not seem like it to you, it's been over six-hundred years here. Anyone you'd want to take revenge on is dead. Turned to dust. Killing Cyril is a pointless use of your time- Artus wouldn't know, how could he? It's not like he can just pop up and check in on his descendants. Pointless use of time and magic." She showed little mercy, her eyes hard and cold.
"The world has moved on. You need to do the same."
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