Cries of a Light Wind

The murmuring and cries of a light wind woke Alice out of her sleep. Sitting up she could see it was late into the night, the moonlight shining through the small opening in the wall of her bedroom. Getting out of bed the noise that had woken her was still out there, the eerie noise seemed like something else Alice couldn't put her finger on but it was definitely familiar. Walking into the kitchen she could see a faint blue hue glowing and fading outside of the house.

Opening the front door of the house what greeted her sight first was Miles sitting cross legged on the porch, humming softly to himself. Miles turned towards her as the source of the sound and gave a smile, patting his hand on the porch that was next to him. Alice sat beside him as she traced the glow with her eyes to over the hill, bringing her knees up and wrapping her arms around herself as she shivered from the cold.

¨You´re in for a real surprise. This happens only once a year and I'm sure it's going to be a real treat¨ Miles said excitedly nudging the small girl with an elbow. Alice turned towards him with confusion at his hint but started to focus on the ever increasing blue glow over the hill, dimming and brightening as if the light breathed in rhythm. The glow reaches the zenith of the hill and Alice she gasped as saw soft glowing balls floating up and down along the road coming towards the town. Alice couldn't figure out what the strange floating orbs were, as they got closer to the village.

¨It's the festival of spirits tonight¨ Miles explained as Alice looked in wonder at the small shapes bouncing up and down as they followed the curves and twists of the road through the town shifting her gaze and trying to absorbing the scene into her mind.

Alice thought she could hear the faint sound of music. The sound of pipes and drums were audible over the soft wind as the spirits passed through the village keeping to a rhythm no one could put down a tempo to. The beat and song howevrr had Alice moving along in time with it as she swayed back and forth. As she kept watching the orbs begun to take form in front of Alice. Men and women were holding instruments and played them as they spun and danced in the village. They were all wearing light robes that hung off the shoulder, with sandals worn all with a laughing and happy faces. Alice getting into the rhythm stood up and joined the dancing spirits, twirling and dancing alongside them as she let out a laugh of glee. The feeling of celebration felt imbued in the village as they danced through, passing a blessing that Alice couldn't say in that she could touch but the atmosphere felt light. Alice felt a hand on her shoulder gripping tightly as she struggled to keep pace with the troupe. a few of the ghost took notice but didn't stop the music. Alice felt a little bit of loss as the precession continued without her. The people begun to form back into soft, glowing orbs again and floated along the road disappearing into the distance. Tugging free of the hand on her shoulder up to Miles she questioned him.

"Why'd you stop me?" Alice asked furious with Miles, she was still saddened at the now long gone dancers.

"You can enjoy them coming through, but you'll never be able to follow them" Miles said trying to console Alice. Adults were fun to play with but children were to honest for his liking Miles thought with a shake of his head. Sensing something was off Alice became an obedient child again and grasped Miles' hand.

"What were they Miles?" Alice was having trouble keeping her thoughts straight, the noises and sounds of the spirits were still fresh in her mind.

¨They're the spirits of this country, they come through once a year to bless the harvests for the new growing season and to look at their descendants after they have long past. It´s a rare sight to see them these days since they're always so private about their business¨ Miles said, his words held a brief part of the knowledge crammed inside his head as Alice caught a gleam in his eyes. She could feel this man was not so straight forward as she had believed. A tug on her hand pulled Alice out of her thoughts as Miles led the way.

"Time we should get you back to bed, we don't want you too tired tomorrow¨ Miles continued as he held Alice's hand as they made their way back to Alice's home. Most importantly I don't want your mother coming after me Miles thought to himself.

Clutching Miles' hand tightly, Alice looked around as the village was deadly quiet underneath the moonlight. Alice turned towards Miles, breaking the silence of the countryside

¨What would happen if we followed them?¨ Alice asked.

¨I'm afraid you can't¨ Miles replied.

¨ Why? ¨ Alice questioned Miles.

¨Because only the dead can follow" Miles said in a cold manner, the tone raised the hairs on the back of the night. Although she didn't understand what Miles meant she could tell it was serious enough an adult had to be strict with her causing her to pale in worry. Both of them made it back to the house, Alice opening the door first and running to her room as she dropped Miles' hand. As Alice dropped into bed, Miles tucked her in as she watched him carefully.

Miles murmured to the girl quietly and despite it being gibberish to her ears, the pull to fall asleep was too strong as she closed her eyes. Miles stood up and went back to the kitchen, the fireplace had died down to embers as he rolled out his own bedroll, the coarse blanket he had was wrapped tightly around him. Chuckling to himself his ears still rang with sound of the faint music. The allure was always a danger to those who knew too little, and with a smirk he turned and slept.

Miles stood on the dirt road tying the canvas bag full of food tight and holding it over his shoulder. A bedroll was hanging on his shoulders as Miles readied himself. The family was standing outside their house, Joel, Narissa and Alice standing quietly as they said their farewells, despite the short stay Miles had certainly disrupted their lives in a special way for each of them.

¨It´s a shame you have to go, it´s hard to find a good man to work with around these parts¨ Joel said with a smile, a hand however was tightly around Narissa's hips and keeping her close to his side in case the visitor had any thoughts.

¨I hope you find what you're looking for at the capital Miles¨ said Narissa giving him a wave. Miles accepted it half heartedly and sweated a little as he wasn't sure if the woman was threatening him or not.

¨It was a pleasure meeting you, and thank you for your hospitality¨ Miles said with a bow to the family showing off his more mischievous side. Alice wandered up to Miles and gave him a hug around the waist; Alice withdrew and stared into Miles' eyes. The mysterious had certainly impacted this little girl enough for a lifetime.

¨I´m gonna miss you, you know¨ Alice said. The child's honest almost caused Miles to choke and could already feel the burning gaze of Joel on him. Cursing under his breath at this overprotective father, I'm not interested in your daughter like that.

¨ I'm gonna miss you too missy" Miles said, patting Alice on the head "I can't thank you enough for what you've done for me.¨ Pondering for a moment Miles smirked as an idea come to mind. Taking off his necklace, Miles placed it around Alice neck as Joel already started to fidget. Alice held the pedant in her hands and fumbled with it as the cool stone seemed to relax her despite Miles having to go away.

¨If you ever need my help, I'll be sure to be around¨ he said pointing at the moving rainbow stone. Alice idly touched the cold and smooth surface of the stone for reassurance.

"Will you come back?" Alice said, worried this man would disappear just like as he appeared in it. Miles pondered for a moment and suddenly an evil grin split across his face.

"When you're a little I'm sure you'll take my fancy then" Alice quirked in her head in confusion at the words but was happy nonetheless having received her promise. Joel however was slowly going red in the face as he tried to keep the farewell on good terms.

¨I'll be off now, hope you all take care¨ Miles said waving at the family, seeing a cart passing through the village he caught up to it and spoke to the driver as Miles walked alongside. After a brief nod from the driver, Miles hopped in the back of the cart as it wheeled its way past the villagers. Miles waved to them all, a final goodbye to the family as he disappeared into the distance. Joel turned back inside the house to ignore the manner that poked at his soft spots, muttering to himself "Now where did I put my tools?"

Narissa laughed at her husband being so flustered and came inside with him. Life seemingly returned to normal as the family went back to their day to day chores. But as Alice held the shimmering pendant in her palm, it had a warmth to it that was so similar to Miles despite its size and that even though he was far she felt he was cloae. She felt adventure was just on the horizon.