The night brought with it a faint chill to the air, a reminder that the year was yet early and spring could be cool as well as warm. Or perhaps it was Frey’s way of encouraging people to cuddle close together during this festival of Rae, to bring them together to share warmth as well as good company. The stars were twinkling brightly overhead, clearer than ever they had been before the barrier fell, but this night they were rivalled by the candles far below, arrayed on a great wheel that echoed the sun that had been lost to them all for a week during Long Night.
The glow of so many candles was a beacon in the night, calling a slow, steady stream of revelers to its edges. As some candles burned down, others were added to their stubs so that the Wheel of Fire stayed alight, continuing its silent vigil over the night until its counterpart in the sky could rise again come morning.
The music continued on behind them, some stalls closing for a little while, while their owners stole a few hours of sleep while others continued on, brightly lit by lanterns and fresh help for the overnight crowds. Children were thinning out, and couples were drifting closer, and three familiar shapes had somehow found their way together again in spite of the shadows that held sway wherever lantern light didn’t fall.
Hair white as starlight reflected the colored glow of lanterns as Jigano walked besideRory , fingers firmly intertwined with his companion’s as they walked together in comfortable silence. Amalia had joined them, after tucking a sleeping Isuma into an empty bread basket back at the Devas Bakery stall, and by wordless agreement they had begun to walk towards the great Wheel. The lorekeeper was curious – wasn’t he always? – about it, but he hadn’t found time yet to ask about it in the hustle and bustle of the day’s activities. Now, at last, they had a moment of quiet and he smiled to his friends, squeezing Rory’s hand with shy affection. ”I heard about the grilled worms and the games and the dancing,” he said softly. ”But not about the candles. What do they mean?”
The glow of so many candles was a beacon in the night, calling a slow, steady stream of revelers to its edges. As some candles burned down, others were added to their stubs so that the Wheel of Fire stayed alight, continuing its silent vigil over the night until its counterpart in the sky could rise again come morning.
The music continued on behind them, some stalls closing for a little while, while their owners stole a few hours of sleep while others continued on, brightly lit by lanterns and fresh help for the overnight crowds. Children were thinning out, and couples were drifting closer, and three familiar shapes had somehow found their way together again in spite of the shadows that held sway wherever lantern light didn’t fall.
Hair white as starlight reflected the colored glow of lanterns as Jigano walked beside
