Mivrana Festival

The city of Aurvina lit up like jewels in the night sky.

On every streets, lanterns were brightly lit, guiding the way for the people coming to attend the festival.

Laija's green eyes observed the lively activities happening around her. On each sides of the streets, food stalls and shops selling miscellaneous items were packed with the citizens, all dressed in their best clothes.

Laija herself was wearing the new dress Miss Dahlia had given her as a present. Back then, she doubted that an occasion to wear the fancy attire would come. Who would have thought the opportunity presented itself sooner.

At the moment, she was standing in an empty corner, trying not to draw any attention. But it proved to be useless because a few men with their cheeks flushed came over and started making passes at her.

'Ah, beautiful lady!'

'Come join us for some fun!'

'We promised to show you a good time!'

Laija simply ignored them. One of the men tried to stepped closer but he was immediately stopped.

'Gentlemen, this lady is with me.'

Francis suddenly appeared, grabbing the man by the back of his shirt. He was looking down at the shorter men, with a smile that did not quite reach his eyes. The guys were startled when they recognise him.

'Young master, we didn't k-know!'

'O-our mistake!'

After fumbling their apologies, the guys took to their heels.

Francis casually walked over to her side. He appeared even taller wearing a loose white tunic tucked neatly under high waisted black trousers.

Laija could see the intricate designs on his sleeved shirt, flashing in and out like gold streaks, with the movements of his broad chest. She quickly averted her gaze away.

'Where are they?' She asked him instead.

'Oh, they met with their friends. They are going to sightsee the festival together. Sara is watching them.' Francis replied.

Laija simply nodded.

'Don't worry, I will accompany you all night.' Francis added in a husky tone.

'I'm going back.' Laija uttered flatly and made a move to go.

'Wait, wait! I was only joking!' He blurted in haste, trying to catch a hold of her shoulder. She stepped even further away from him.

With an exasperated sigh, she said, 'You are troublesome.'

Francis made a childlike grin at her comment, acting as if the one who just flirted with her was not him.

Seriously, she had no idea how to get along with this kind of person.

She let herself be accompanied anyway. They walked side by side, maintaining a respectable gap between. However, the streets were overcrowded. People kept pushing them into each other's space. After a while, Laija gave up trying to keep her distance.

They were also stopped many times by the citizens, wanting to greet Francis, who they addressed as young master. The food stall and shop owners also offered their foods and goods to them. It was too much, so Francis politely declined their offers.

Laija could see that he was tired from all the incessant talking but the man never showed a sign of distress when the next person came up to greet them. It must mean these people were dear to him. The people also seems to adore him very much.

At last, they managed to arrive at the city square. A big wooden stage was set up in the middle and a group of ladies, dressed in colourful costumes were dancing and singing enthusiastically. The crowd cheering the performance were even more high-spirited.

Laija glanced around the crowd for Domi and Aniya. She finally saw Domi talking animatedly with the other boys. Sara, the maid came over with Aniya and one girl, their hands full with snacks. They handed them out to the kids one by one. They began chatting and eating at the same time, even giggling excitedly amongst each other while watching the show on stage.

'Do you want to go over there?' Francis asked her, slightly bending forward her way. He also had taken notice of them.

Laija shook her head. 'No. Let them have their fun. They are in good hands.' She said.

'Of course, old Sara is fond of children. She always pampers them.' Francis assured her.

Laija was glad that the two children were getting along well with the locals. It would make parting with them a lot easier.

'Well then, I'm going back.' She said, turning away from the stage.

'Eh, so soon? Did you not enjoy it?' Francis asked, turning around the same way.

'That's not it. I prefer to be in a quieter place.' Laija said and a took a few steps.

Francis followed, saying, 'In that case, let's go to the sea.'

That made her paused. 'At this hour? What could possibly be there to see?'

'It is the perfect timing to see a very pretty scene.' He told her with a smile.

The two walked side by side again. But this time, the way back became scarced of people. So, it was less noisy and the air was much cooler. A comfortable silence had also settled between them.

'What do you think about the legend of Mivrana?' Francis asked, all of a sudden.

Laija was bit startled but answered him regardless. 'Just like I said this morning, interesting.'

'Yes, entertaining to tell and listen. But there is hardly any truth.' Francis uttered with a snort.

Laija briefly glanced his way. 'You upset your uncle with that opinion.' She mentioned. He also called it ridiculous, making his uncle smacked him in the head this morning.

Francis heaved a long sigh and said, 'My uncle is a dreamer. He loves these things but I'm the quite opposite.'

'You preferred the reality of things. That is fine but you should not ridicule other's.' Laija told him.

Francis chuckled. 'It is not a matter of preference. It is just how things are, most of the times. So, I'm not making any triviality of anyone's thoughts. It is just that...' He trailed off.

This is the first time, he was talking to her in a somber manner. He appeared to be troubled about something but he was hesitant to reveal it. Laija looked at him and wondered about what to say.

Francis raised his head and shouted, 'Look!'

She followed his gaze. They were almost at the beach and from where they stood, they could see the edges of the dark ocean glowing blue all over.

'Do you see?' Francis said smiling widely.

'Mm.' Laija muttered, breathless, taken aback at the alluring scenery.

She had heard of this phenomenon, bioluminescence sea or something. To actually see and experience by her own, was more exciting to say the least.

The two were already standing some distance away from the blue luminescence waters.

Francis spoke, 'The locals believed this is the proof of the sea deity's influence. That is why the festival happens around this time of the year.'

'But this is a natural occurence of marine life.' Laija said absentmindedly.

'Yes, when you are ignorant of how the world really works, it is easy to believe in anything.' He said with a sardonic smile.

Laija glanced at him. 'Sounds like something a privileged person would say.'

Francis burst out laughing. 'You may be right. In a way, I'm very privileged. But that does not make one any happier than others. Knowing too much takes the joy out of everything, it seems. Maybe that is why, I'm like this.' He told her, his pitched low.

Laija did not know where he was going with this. But she could relate a bit. Knowing too much could make one miserable. As the saying goes, ignorance is bliss.

'Oh, I forgot to mention my uncle will take in Domi and Aniya. They will be living in the castle but Sara will be the one to raise them.' Francis changed the subject.

'Doesn't she have her own family to take care of?' Laija could not help but asked.

'Her husband was her only family. But he died years ago due to an illness. They weren't able to have any children so she was really happy when uncle instructed her that she will be the one to take care of them.' He explained.

'I will thank her. And of course, Lord Hanim.'

Francis stared at her. 'So, this means you will be leaving?' He asked.

'I have no reason to keep staying.' She said simply. She slowly turned away and stepped into the sand. It was cooler compared to this morning but it felt just as good.

'We should get going.' She added quickly and took a few steps ahead.

Francis did not say anything after that. But she heard him stepping on the sands, following behind steadily.

Both arrived to the cobbled streets and silence filled in their space once again. The rows of lanterns hung besides the road were getting dimmer now. The festivity will end soon.

'What's that smell?' Laija paused in her movement.

'What smell?' Francis was saying but then he looked up and his eyes were wide as saucer plates.

'Smokes!' He shouted as he pointed with his finger upwards. Laija raised her own head and was shocked to see a cloud of grey smokes coming out of the direction of-

'The city square!' Francis shouted, alarmed.

If they ran by foot alone all the way there, it might be too late. She knew what will get them faster. She spread out her right hand, a green circle soon appeared in her palm. It rose above and expanded in size.

The mighty Uerafion came out of the glowing magic formation. As soon as it landed on the ground, Laija cried, 'Eridor, please take us there fast!'

The magical beast moved its head, seemingly in understanding and crouched down. Laija jumped on its torso, at the back of the huge wings. She turned her head and yelled at Francis, 'Come, get on.'

The man was standing, looking stupefied. 'I think I will walk after all...' He muttered.

Laija quickly reached out and pulled him by his hand. 'We don't have time.'

Francis was now mounted on the beast. 'But I'm terrible with heights!' He muttered in panic.

Laija grabbed hold of his hands and put them around her waist, saying in a firm voice, 'Hold on tight.' Then, turning to the creature, she said, 'Eridor, we are ready.'

The beast purred, then with a thunderous push of its wings, it took flight in the air. As Eridor flew high and swift, Francis screamed all the way.

It wasn't long until they arrived at the scene, in only a couple of minutes. No one had noticed their presence, they were all occupied trying to stop the burning fire, throwing buckets of water in lines. But it was a feeble attempt because the flames were crackling all over the round wooden stage. It even seems to be getting bigger.

Monitoring from the air, Laija was relieved to see that nobody was caught directly in the fire. But still, if the flames were not extinguish soon, it was going to start affecting the surrounding buildings and spread to the whole city.

Laija glanced down and saw two wells. The people were drawing the water from there. Taking a closer look, it seems to be filled with enough water.

'Eridor, you can let us down now. ' Laija said softly.

The beast comply to her request and landed on the ground. Everybody's attention were on them now. They all gasped in shock, some even dropped their buckets looking terrified. But Laija didn't pay any mind. She rushed out and stood in the vicinity of the two wells. At once, she cast two blue magic circles over the wells. Then, with both her hands raised, she summoned the waters to rise up.

The water bodies, like two headless aquatic beasts rose high enough and lunged towards the tall burning stage. The waters wholly engulfed the flames and smokes. It stood like an enormous monument in the middle of the square, hissing and sizzling until finally it lowered, slow and steadily. Then, the warm liquid dispersed on the ground, causing a small flood around the square.

For a while, everyone was too shocked and speechless to react in any way.

Francis shouted abruptly, 'Incredible!'

The rest broke free from their trance then. They starting to cheer and rejoice, at having such a fatal crisis averted.

'She extinguished the fire!

'The city is saved!'

'She saved us!'

Laija quietly walked towards Eridor. Now, that she accomplished what she came to do, she thought it best to leave. She mounted on the magic beast and without so much as a word to anyone, quickly took off and disappeared in the night sky.