Zoe's birthday party (4)

Author's note: This is from Zoe's point of view

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I walked outside, my every step through the garden felt heavier than the previous one.

I could see the torches and the people gathered. The murmurs that reached me told me how excited everyone was and I knew that Pio and his men are eager to experience a real ceremony to the Moon Goddess after a long drought.

I thought that they will be sitting, but they actually moved tables and chairs to the side so that they can stand.

As I emerged from the garden, I got a good view of the people.

I was surprised to see that everyone wore ceremonial clothes. OK, Zeiroi and Treva and some staff members who were watching from the side didn't, but everyone else did.