Chapter 2: Animal Spirits
Hitomi was too excited to sleep any more so she decided to start the day early and watch the sun rise. She threw off the sheet, climbed out of bed, and walked out on to the balcony. A warm summer breeze and the scent of flowers greeted her as she let the morning air wash over her. The balcony over looked the gardens and was positioned so it was secluded to give them some privacy. Hitomi watched as the starry sky started to fade. It was the first official day of summer and the Queen's Festival started the next day.
Hitomi smiled to herself and shook her head at the memory. It wasn't supposed to be called the Queen's Festival, but once word spread and invitations were issued, the people started talking and referring to it as that, especially once the fact was known that the Queen's birthday fell on the third day. Soon, everyone called it that and nothing could change it. Lord Finkbone had explained that sometimes that was how events or holidays were named. He advised Hitomi not to make a big fuss over it but just to let it happen.
Excitement bubbled through Hitomi and she took a deep breath to keep from exploding. Millerna, Dryden, and their children were scheduled to arrive today. Millerna had insisted on being there for Hitomi's birthday. People from all over Gaea were also coming in to Fanelia to see the festival. News of it had spread and Merle reported that the citizens' council was deliriously happy; inns were full, businesses were booming, and the friendly environment seemed to keep trouble to a minimum. However, Allen had wisely decided to place extra guards and patrols around the town and castle.
These next few days were going to be hectic getting everything together. The decorations were going to go up today, in the castle, in the village square, in the royal gardens, and the tournament grounds, which had been built just outside of the town. Stands for spectators had to be built and the stores of wine and food had to be brought up. Over the last four months, Hitomi had been very busy with organizing the festival, and now it was here. The next four days were going to be extremely busy.
Van awoke to see Hitomi outlined in the early morning sky. He smiled and admired the long, rose, silk nightgown she wore. It was gently stirring in the morning breeze. Her hair, which was getting longer, danced against her back. Van suddenly had an idea and quietly got out of bed. He was wearing long, black sleeping pants and reached for a shirt, but then changed his mind. He approached Hitomi, but normally so she would hear him coming.
"Good morning." She said cheerfully as she reached up and took his face in her hands. She stood on her toes and planted a kiss on his lips. Van kissed her back and wrapped his arms around her waist. When the kiss ended, he said, "Ready?"
"Ready for what?" Hitomi asked.
"This!" Van said as beautiful, long white wings suddenly exploded from his back. Van pulled Hitomi closer and winked at her.
"Oh Van!" Hitomi cried as her face lit up with joy. She wrapped her arms tightly around him and held on as he jumped up to the balcony's edge and then jumped off. Van purposely fell for a second, to add to the excitement, and then extended his wings and caught a current. Hitomi gasped in excited breaths, but didn't scream or shout, because she knew these were private and secret flights they took every once in a while. Plus, she knew Van was uncomfortable with the people seeing his wings, due to their superstitions about Draconians.
Hitomi submerged herself in the sensations of flight. She loved to feel the wind rushing over her body and blowing through her hair. No words could describe the sense of freedom. Although Van was doing all the flying, they had started to develop a way to fly together. When they first started taking flights together, Hitomi realized she could sense when Van was leaning or shifting his weight. Now she could do it with him and Van was surprised at how much of a difference it made in the flight.
As the sun started its climb up the sky, Van carefully landed back on the balcony. Hitomi sighed and leaned into Van, leaving her arms wrapped around him. Van folded his wings in and wrapped them around behind her. Hitomi giggled at the feel of Van's soft feathers against her skin. Van held her close and they stood there silently, not needing to say anything out loud to tell the other how they felt.
Eventually, Hitomi realized that Van's wings were gone and they were now standing in a pile of feathers. Hitomi looked up in to Van's dark eyes. He was looking at her with such open admiration and love that Hitomi could start to feel her heart swell and her eyes water. If she could freeze one moment in time and live there forever, it would be this moment, here with Van. Suddenly, she laughed and flung her arms around Van's neck and kissed him. Van was a little startled and off balance for a second, but caught himself and enjoyed the kiss. When the kiss ended, he picked her up and twirled her around. Their laughter filled the room. Van put Hitomi down and planted a small kiss on her forehead.
"What brought all that on so suddenly?" Hitomi asked.
"I just felt like it." Van said casually, but he cracked and he started to smile.
"You're full of surprises, Van Fanel. I don't know if one lifetime with you is enough."
"Maybe we'll have more. I wouldn't worry, we'll always be together." Van said, before he leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Now, where is our breakfast?" Hitomi watched Van in awe for a few seconds before she remembered herself and went to find a robe to put on.
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"Hitomi!" Millerna exclaimed as she embraced her friend. "Look at you! You're so beautiful! And this hair, it's getting so long." Millerna said as she admired the braid Hitomi wore.
"You flatter me Millerna. You, as always, look ravishing, considering you just had a baby. Speaking of the baby, where is Enalla?" Hitomi said trailing off to looking around.
"Just wait till you see her. She's grown so much already." Millerna turned and waved up to those still on the ship. A nurse came down carrying a small bundle wrapped in fine blankets. She carefully handed it to Millerna. Lovingly, Millerna pealed back the blankets to reveal a tiny head with a puff of blond hair. The baby was sleeping soundly.
"Oh, she's so adorable! She already has your hair." Hitomi sighed as she watched the baby sleep.
"Was there a hint of desire in that sigh, Hitomi Fanel?" Millerna said, raising her eyebrow. Hitomi knew that eyebrow meant mischief. "Can't you and Van find time? I hope nothing's wrong. I never thought Van would be so shy, but maybe if you get him drunk-"
"Millerna! That's enough!" Hitomi quietly cried out, mindful of the baby. Millerna started laughing as Hitomi's cheeks reddened. Hitomi scowled and then smiled. She playful slapped Millerna on the arm. "You are terrible!" Millerna laughed some more.
"Are you causing mischief again? We haven't even been here five minutes yet?" Dryden said as he came down the gangway. Dryden had discarded his brown travelling cloak years ago and instead wore brown pants, black boots and a blue and brown tunic, belted with his rapier at his side. Three-year-old Cleff walked down beside his father, but ran to Hitomi when he spotted her.
"Aunt Hitomi!" He yelled as he flung himself in to her awaiting arms. Hitomi picked him up and while hugging him, spun him around. He was all giggles by the time he returned to his father's side. Dryden leaned over and gave Hitomi a kiss on the cheek before they hugged each other.
"It's be too long!" Hitomi commented. "I'm so happy you came. Let's get back to the castle." Hitomi turned and led them towards a carriage that was waiting for them. Just before they got in, she turned and looked at Dryden. "Before I forget Dryden, Van wanted me to remind you to stay out of trouble and you know what he means."
"Trouble? I have no idea what he is talking about." Dryden said as he attempted and failed to look innocent. Hitomi and Millerna both laughed and everyone entered the carriage. Van was certain that Dryden had started his own spy network and that Fanelia was one of his sources of information, or entertainment.
"So Hitomi," Dryden asked her as the carriage traveled to the castle. "What exactly is planned for the festival?"
"Well," Hitomi answered, enthusiasm twinkling in her eyes, "the festival lasts for three days, all three days of the full moon, know as the Dragon Moon here. I did a lot of research and discovered that there actually used to be a festival held during the Dragon Moon. Legends say that long ago there was a great forest guardian that took the form of a dragon. The spirit cared for all the creatures in the forest, from the small mice, to the biggest dragon, and the human inhabitants themselves. Then, for unknown reasons, man rebelled and set out to kill the guardian. They were able to kill the body of the dragon, but the spirit fled to the stars. On the night of the first three-day full moon, the spirit came back and looked on his forest. He commanded the animals to attack those that had killed him. The humans fought hard and barely survived the three-day attack. But, after the third night, the spirit vanished again and the creatures of the forest returned to normal. Wise men of the human tribes, seers if you will, knew that the forest spirit would come back every triple full moon and attack man, but they had a plan. They told the people to look deep inside themselves and to find their animal spirit, an animal that could represent them well. Then, the next time the spirit returned, everyone dressed up like his or her animal. The spirit was confused and did not send the animals to attack again. Then the wise men called out to the spirit and confessed and begged forgiveness for their crimes. The spirit forgave them and the wise men promised that man would protect the forest and creatures in place of the spirit. The spirit left satisfied that his forest would be protected. Every year after that, the people would dress up as their animal spirits and gather under the full moon to remember that night and the promise they made. That is how the full moon period became know as the Dragon Moon." Hitomi took a breath as she watched Millerna, Dryden, and Cleff take in the legend with awe.
"Therefore, we will have a similar ceremony. The people are invited to wear a mask or costume to represent their animal spirit and the ceremony will be held in the village square under the light of the Dragon Moon. It will begin with a play about this legend and then the night will continue with other plays and dramas portraying Fanelian history and legends. Traditional songs and dances will be preformed and then it basically turns into a night of dancing and singing in the streets."
"Wow! That sounds like fun!" Millerna said.
"On the second day there will be a big tournament. The events will include archery, sword fighting, and foot racing. Each event will have an age category so everyone who wants to participate will have an equal chance. The final matches will take place on the morning of the third day. The winners will accompany the parade to the castle and that night a formal ball and party will be held. The Royal Gardens will also be opened since the hall won't be able to fit everyone who attends."
"This is amazing, Hitomi." Millerna said. "I am so proud of you and very impressed. Rumours have been flying around for months about what the Queen of Fanelia was planning. I wouldn't be surprised if we start to see other countries having their own festivals. It sounds like so much fun, I think Asturia should have one too, right Dryden."
"I can definitely see how a festival would benefit the state. The investment possibilities are endless. Plus, it sounds like a lot of fun. It would be the prefect time to gather a lot of information..." Dryden said starting to think.
"Dryden!" Hitomi said sternly. Dryden laughed. "I meant, a good time to relax, of course." Dryden continued to laugh as Hitomi shook her head.
They arrived at the castle and went about the business of getting the Asturian visitors and staff settled in the castle. Hitomi begged forgiveness and excused herself to make some last minute festival decisions. She met with Chancellor Rubens, head of the festival committee, and they walked though the castle, gardens, and town to see the decorations and setup. Hitomi's short blue cape fluttered along behind her as she walked from place to place, admiring the decorations and making suggestions for improvements. Tables for wine and food were out and the stages for the performances were built and all looked wonderful. Everything was going according to plan. Children ran through the streets laughing and playing, pretending to be great knights in the tournament. The streets were full of people trying to get their daily chores done and find time to get ready for the activities. They would wave or curtsy as Hitomi walked by. Hitomi waved back and even found the time to talk to some townspeople and find out what they were doing and what they thought of everything so far. Hitomi trusted Merle and the Citizen's Counsel, but it was reassuring to hear positive comments for herself.
Hitomi could feel the excitement in her building up and she could barely keep from jumping up and down and running back up to the castle in excitement. The day was going to be a lovely one, and if they were lucky, the wind would push away the clouds that lingered in the sky so they would have a clear night.
Hitomi returned to the castle and made her way to the suites Dryden and Millerna were assigned. She found them there with the children, Merle, and Van. She took a seat beside Van on the second couch and kissed his check.
"Hello love." She said. "I take it by your appearance here that all business was taken care of this morning?"
"Yes, and we won't be meeting until the festival is over. It's an unofficial holiday, except those directly involved in the festival. I was just telling Millerna and Dryden about my time in Keshia. I almost forgot to tell you, but the Keshian ambassador arrives in three days, just in time for the last day of celebrations."
"Oh good. I'm looking forward to meeting him." Hitomi said as she reached over and took a piece of fruit from a tray. She had come just as they were just finishing up lunch, but luckily for her there were leftovers.
"Actually, it's a her. They are sending one of their Mystics and from what I understand, it is a great honour." Hitomi nodded in understanding. The conversation eventually turned to catching up with the royal couple of Asturia. The last time they had seen each other was for Enalla's christening, just after her birth.
"So Hitomi, I want to know more about the festival. What animal are you going as?" Millerna asked during a pause in the conversation.
Hitomi opened her month to answer but stopped and looked baffled. She started to laugh. "Gee, in all the preparation and planning, I forgot to pick one." They all laughed.
"Hmmm...we can solve this problem." Millerna said, tapping her finger on her chin. "Let's see, Hitomi is brave, caring, lovable, a little forgetful...just kidding. Now, I can't think of an animal that can see into the future, so we will probably have to overlook that trait. What are you going to be, Van?"
"A dragon, of course." Merle answered. "Lord Van has always had a dragon attached to his name." Van nodded in agreement.
"Even before I met you the cards used a dragon to represent you." Hitomi added. "But you are a white dragon. Yours is easy."
"Oh, I got it!" Millerna cried out. "An animal that is brave, courageous, a good fighter, protective, yet playful, is a wolf! Hitomi's animal spirit should be a white wolf, to match Van."
"That's really good." Van spoke up. "The wolves in the forest get a white coat in the winter, so I guess the white feature will work, right my dear wolf."
"Rrrrright!" Hitomi growled trying to impersonate a wolf. Cleff found it hysterical and Hitomi started to chase him around the room growling after him. Van watched them play and smiled. He caught Millerna's eye and noticed that she was watching him. She raised her eyebrow and asked a silent question with a nod of her head. Van blushed and broke eye contact. By that time Hitomi had caught Cleff and brought him back to their circle.
"What is your animal spirit going to be, Cleff?" Van asked him. Still sitting in Hitomi's lap, he answered loudly, "I'm going to be a bear! No, a shark! No, a monster!" At that point he got up and hunched over and brought his hands up as claws and started snarling. Laughter broke out and Cleff smiled and ran to his father. "What about you daddy?"
"I think it would be appropriate if I were a fox. Foxes are cunning, clever, quick-"
"Sly, troublesome, and hard to catch." Van finished sending Dryden a glare.
"That too." Dryden said nervously.
"What about me?" Millerna whined. Everyone thought about it for a second before Dryden spoke up.
"How about a peacock?"
"A peacock?" Millerna asked unsure.
"Sure. Peacocks are beautiful, loving, vain, loud-" Dryden was cut off when a pillow collided with his face. Millerna was about to throw a second one when she stopped and her eyes lit up. "Hey, think of the costume possibilities I'll have..."