Chapter 1: The Festival Of Dreams
The full moon illuminated the small town below in a soft bright glow. Red paper lanterns floated into the sky burning with tiny flames of hopes and dreams of the townspeople below hoping the heavens would hear their wishes. Bards from all over the land played music near the center of town where all the races danced together in unison with one another. Children played in the streets wearing masks pretending to be someone else for a night. Alpacas traveled through the town freely enjoying the festivities and some dancing themselves. A mouse race known as the Zumi were selling items as merchants from their land which were the parched deserts of the south-east. They usually traveled to the central continent for trade opportunities, and to express their creative selves in the festival. The other races in the festival Anuran(frog people), Ursun(bear people), and Torturran(turtle people) had other reasons to come though their reasons were similar enough. The humans mostly took care of the festival putting on acts to please their visitors. Their festival was annual, and a big one at that. 'The Festival Of Dreams'. The celebration of the unity of the races, and a celebration that though we are different we share the same wants for a certain dream to come true in our own lives.
Despite the cheerful atmosphere there was a small tension within some of the visitors from the West. In particular a blue haired bard who watched the performances from the side lines leaning against the wall with his hat tipped over his face so he could nap though he was aware of what was around him.
A small gray Zumi child walked over poking his knee, "Sir can I hear you play?"
The man tipped his azure hat up staring with his blue eyes, "Sorry kid...I'm on break."
The Zumi's ear twitched, "Just one song..."
The man could tell his child would be persistent so he took up his guitar that was laying next to him. As soon as he played the first note it was noticeably different than any song the other bards were playing.
"There she sings....the wings of gold...
Her dress shimmering in the sun....west of here there lies the sea...
So deep of dreams...so deep of dreams...
Do not fear for she is there...singing of your dreams..."
The man suddenly stopped putting the guitar down.
The Zumi blinked, "Pretty...but is that it?"
The man sighed, "No...but its a taste of our music back where I am from..."
The Zumi put a gold coin down, "Thank you kind sir...I enjoyed that song." The child ran off.
The man took the coin staring at it, "...It's best kids don't know what happens in the West." He frowned knowing the meaning of the song.
A white haired Mage walked over smiling, "There you are..."
"Pick up anything Aldon?"
The Mage looked pleased, "Nope luckily it seems to just be a normal festival."
The man put his hat back over his face to nap. Aldon poked him with his staff then gave up trying to get his attention.
"Keep an eye out...Those Tuskar Boars are the foolish type who charge before they think...and those Drakai lizard things have been roaming around as well."
He paused, "Would be ashamed if they decided to cause a ruckus here."
Aldon smiled, "Awww you care how cute."
"I may not be the fighting type but it doesn't mean I can't set you on fire..."
Aldon ran off laughing. The bard looked up moving the hat, "I cannot shake the feeling...something will happen..."