Chapter 177: The Festival of the Tides

Chapter 177 - The Festival of the Tides

Dawn rose from the sea over a city that already buzzed with life. Flynn stumbled out of his warm bed, stretching his limbs. He opened the window, the chill air stung his skin and the sounds of the capital rushed in to wash away any sleepiness.

The boisterous caws of seagulls perched on the rooftops, the subtle creaking and groaning of the buildings. Each noise was crisper after a night shielded by the dampening enchantment.

But it was the people he was most interested in. It had become a ritual of sorts to begin each day listening to the city and its inhabitants. In the relative quiet, his skills could pick up distant voices that would be otherwise lost in the later clamor.

The chatter of daily life as people prepared to go about their day. Now and then he also overheard interesting nuggets. Enforcers complained about their superior, a man left his lovers to return to his family, sailors commented on a new merchant ship carrying precious cargo.

Today was different, the preparations for the Festival made the bubble burst with anticipation. Children prattled in high pitches to their families, asking what was going on. Then the milder voices of parents and older siblings patiently explained the significance of the alignment.

Flynn could hear the smiles in their voices with painful clarity. What was his family doing? Would his sister stare at the moons in wonder like she used to? No. The naive toddler with her little nose pointed up at the sky had been replaced by a sour child burning with hate.

Salea would be fourteen this year, a grown woman. No doubt she planned to pick a profession that would help their crusadejust like he did. For years he had wanted to believe his little sister was still there, buried beneath the layers of resentment.

If only he could say the right words or do the right thing, she would come back. He had tried smiling for both, filled the silences with talk and laughs. He had offered the spirits everything he had for a sign. When that didnt work, he had even prayed to the Seven Moons for help, but the gods were uncaring.

No matter what he tried, she kept slipping away. They had hardly seen each other after he was accepted into the program, and every time they met, she was a little more like their mother. Her smile cold and calculated. She watched him as if he were another piece on the board instead of her brother.

Spirits know where they are now.

No doubt their mother had interpreted the moons as a sign of favor from the ancestors. Had she worried when he disappeared? Come looking for him? She probably did, though he couldnt say if she had come looking for her son or for the traitor.

Dont disappoint me was the last thing she said to him. It had made her priorities crystal clear. He had spent years deluding himself that they could go back, he just had to be patient and do as he was told.

Swallowing the truth had been a slow and bitter process. No matter what he did, his family was gone. They had been irremediably broken the night his dad was murdered, and his words couldnt do shit about it. His mother was dead, and the sweet sister looking up at him with large eyes only lived in his memories.

I had to leave, they left me no choice.

The wind carried more laughter and smiles. Flynn shut the window, but the dull ache lingered. It wasnt supposed to hurt anymore, yet it did. The memories refused to leave him alone.

Will they even remember its my birthday?

Another stupid thought. Why couldnt his mind listen? Why would they start remembering now? His best birthday had been at Hawkfield surrounded by the enemy, and his present an extra portion of stew in the mess hall.

It was a very tasty stew though.

Forcing his thoughts on the present, Flynn hurried to the bathroom. While Kai would already be up, he always stayed in his room meditating. That should leave him enough time to get ready. He had promised to show him around the outer city, and he intended to deliver.

He turned the knob towards cold water, letting the freezing jet wash his face till the skin was numb. Drying himself off, he raked a hand through his brown curls to make them intentionally messy and smiled at the mirror. It was his birthday, people expected him to be happy.

Good enough.

Happy birthday, old man! Kai ambushed him outside the door, his grin grew wider when he jolted in surprise.

You were supposed to still be in bed meditating. Damn thoughts, Flynn cursed himself, wearing a confident demeanor as if nothing had ruffled him. When had he stopped paying attention? He should have heard the steps, or seen him through the wall with Mana Sense.

Kai was right, the skill opened a whole new world. It was worth the slot just for the secrets it could reveal. Especially in a city like Higharbor, where every second person carried an enchanted item.

Hes gonna be so smug when he finds out.

Heres your gift. Kai pulled out a tiny square package with an oversized golden ribbon. The crimson wrapping of the package looked expensive, likely from one of the shops in the upper city.

Flynn furrowed his brow. Thankfully there was no glow of mana, so it must not have cost too much. You already gave me one.

The sea serpents fang was the prettiest and sharpest blade he owned, which were the same thing really. He had taken it as part of their game without realizing how much it was worth. He felt a pang of guilt, but Kai would have hidden it in his ring when he got home if he didnt want him to have it.

Or knock me downN?vεlB?n: Unleashing Imagination, One Read at a Time.

It was amusing to think a kid who was a head shorter than him could beat him up to a pulp. Time and painful sparrings had made that lesson clear. His pride hung on the fact he could do the same with most adults.

I can bring it back if you dont want it.

Flynn clutched the little box and sighed. Its fine. Ill make this sacrifice for you.

Such honor, Im not sure Im worthy. Kai rolled his eyes, watching him in anticipation.

Dont worry, youll make it up to me. He graciously conceded.

Untying the ribbon revealed more wrapping, and a second box inside, and then a third, smaller box. Finally, his present stood in the palm of his hand: the tiniest and cutest pastry he had ever seen. It wasnt much larger than his thumbnail but had been decorated like a real cake. Tiny red and white stripes with a golden fifteen on top.

Not today, I invoke my birthday privileges!

Power is already going to his head.

Looks like I was wrong. A mage wrote magic scribbles on the ancient stones and waved his wand to push back the sea. Kai delivered with a flat tone.

I knew youd see the truth.

Spirits, what have I done

It would have been cool to swim through the streets of a flooded city, though it would have caused considerable damage. The last alignment had generated a low tide like the one before that.

He vaguely remembered the high tide during a Festival in Whiteshore. Their village had been high enough to avoid the worst of it, and the wooden houses were easy to move and repair. He had cried when his parents forbade him from swimming through the flooded forest.

Can we go home now? Kai had been planning on exploring the Festival, though he was beginning to understand the other boy had no intention of going home before dark.

Cmon, this is just the beginning. Try to have fun.

Ill do my best. Kai put on an oversized smile and helplessly followed Flynn. Away from the port, it got less crowded as they entered the maze of streets. Every citizen of Higharbor was outside for the Festival, but they could walk without squeezing other people.

Here we are. His friend excitedly announced. Both sides of the road had been filled with colorful stalls with no apparent end. And the air filled with chatter, laughter and merry songs. You can always get the best deals and food during a Festival.

Huh When was the last time I went to a market instead of a shop?

He had stopped by in his first week in Higharbor and he never came back, charmed by the shiny stores in the richer districts. Seeing the improvised stalls and merchants shouting their wares, Kai had to admit he had missed the feeling.

Scour the stalls for hidden gems, laugh at the ridiculous stories of the sellers, and haggle on every piece. The smell of spices and fried snacks. It wasnt just about buying, but an adventurous experience.

Here, Flynn paid a copper and a handful of chips, realizing that Kai only had silver.

May the spirits smile on you. The woman manning the stall gave them two coconut drinks with a warm smile.

So how is it to walk around us mortals again? Flynn teased him and took a sip. Think you can survive another hour away from your dark chambers? We can go back if you need to recover.

The crowd wasnt suffocating with the winter air. Kai pressed his lips before letting the smile show. Only one way to know, birthday boy. Show me everything.

If thats what you want, Ill make sure to not leave any pebble unturned. Flynn gave him a toothy smile. This way, we have much to see. I know where we can find an appropriate offering.

The rising waters meant the Festival of the Tides would honor the great spirit of the sea, Kahali. They bought a straw basket and went browsing for seven offerings that spoke to them.

Symbolism and personal meaning mattered more than value, though the merchants offered plenty of expensive knickknacks. It wasnt necessary to pick a theme, but Kai went with shells like his dad did on their first Festival.

A purple star-shaped conch for his innocent childhood, a black pointy one for the first year in Greenside, a white spiral for change at the estate. One by one, he looked for the right shape and colors to represent every stage of his life.

Flynn chose a more eclectic mix: a cracked mirror, a blade with no handle, a creepy doll with no eyes. Each item looked to be broken or damaged in some way, except the final spyglass. Though Kai didnt get the chance to look through before it disappeared inside his basket.

He swallowed his questions, ignoring his burning curiosity. Flynn appeared to be enjoying himself despite his somber collection. They continued to explore the endless alleyways as the moons drew together. If there was something the market didnt lack was food, especially of the unhealthy variety.

They found an old man who sold some kind of fried pancakes that could be filled with their choice of cream, honey, fresh fruits and nuts. After the third, they were both bursting.

The sun dimmed and the moons shone brighter. With their baskets full, they joined the procession of people out of the city. They had to move inland to bypass the seawall and reach the waters, though they didnt need to go far since a large part of the surrounding vegetation had been flooded.

When six moons became one in the sky, the islanders walked into the sea to let their baskets float away and reach Kahali. There was no request, the great spirit of the sea would provide as she saw fit.

Flynn looked lost in his thoughts on the way back. A stream of lanterns soared from the upper city, bringing prayers to their gods.

Im really glad we did it. Now I want my bed, and to not see anyone for a week.

Thank you, Flynn spoke up when they got home.

Kai looked for the signs of a joke. His mischievous eyes were strangely innocent. Youre welcome, but for what exactly?

It was the best birthday I had in well, a while.

You did most of the work, I should be the one thanking you. Wait! Am I a terrible person?

Huh Kai stared at his feet. Improvisation offered a dozen gracious ways to respond. None of them were good enough. They werent honest. Thank you for not letting me get lost among the clouds. I had a lot of fun too, we should do it again next year. Good night. He performed a strategic retreat to his room.

Was that the best you could do, brain?

Good night, Kai. Flynn echoed after him, a smile in his tone.