It seemed as if everyone was aware of Lucian's arrival, one he set foot into the fields for the day. The sun managed to climb its way fully into the sky and the clammy feeling clinging to the air lifted, bringing forth the usual dry and relentless heat.
It was welcomed though, since the village had been pelted with rain for two days while Lucian was clambering his way back through the trees. It was as if the water washed away the exhaustion, grime and frustration that permeated the entire village and its people. Some actually smiled to each other, on that day.
Much to Lucian's delight, a crowd of the young fellows he worked with immediately abandoned their work when they caught sight of him. Some of the older men huffed about it, but straightened up and looked at him keenly with interest. Lucian's peers demanded stories and tales he had picked up while journeying with Brian, a stranger, and staying within the hallowed gates of Crell Monferaigne.
"Everything is so clean, like a place for everything and everything in its place," he had told them as they sat before him on logs scattered about the work area. Their fathers took care not to pollute Lucian's storytelling with noise and gently walked about with no purpose in mind, just listening.
"The people there pray to a god that I'm not familiar with. You should see them kneeling and just talking, talking to the ceiling above them! I don't know whether to laugh or bow my head to them in respect,"
The boys in front of him leaned forward in fascination, shooting off questions, and occasionally they collective laughed and roared together, and Lucian felt himself enjoying the attention they showered upon him. Eventually though they scattered, as Jerad, who oversaw the logging of the area, infiltrated their conversation circle by shaking a tree branch at them menacingly, demanding that they get back to work.
"It was just a…a life changing experience," Lucian went on, telling one of the boys beside him, as he hacked away at a tree trunk.
"Not gonna find much of them here," the boy laughed, wiping his sweaty forehead. Lucian laughed too, but felt sorry for him.
All through the day, Lucian was greeted by many villagers he did not know; some of the wives visited the fields, their pails full of refreshing well water. As some of the workers slowed to take a break, they drifted over to talk to Lucian, or to give him a friendly pat on the shoulder.
"I'll have something new to tell my wife tonight," one of the men smiled, as he passed the boy. Lucian practically burst with giddiness. He had to tell many people though, that he was unsure of when the larger groups that had set off some time after them, comprised of the village's leading officials and elders, would return. They carried most of the village's funds, and Lucian's return only fuelled the people's desires to see some of their men folk return with new and much needed supplies and goods. Even though Lucian had nothing for those who were excited to speak with him, he still felt that he gave much to those around him that day.
In the midst of the excitement in talking, most of boys his age abandoned their duties and stood around in large groups. Their fathers followed suit when they realized there was no reigning them in. Lucian noticed that Erik was one of the handful that kept to their work despite all of the discussion going between various people.
"Isn't she looking for you, Lucian?" one of the boys said. All at once, the five or so he was standing with turned and looked and Lucian saw Platina hurrying onto the field, looking dishevelled and beat. Her hair was loose from her plait and a red flush emanated from her white face.
"Guess the wench overworked herself today," and all of them laughed. Lucian suddenly stopped smiling, anger boiling inside of his stomach.
"Forget it Lu," another one roared, "I doubt her mama even sat her down to have the talk of life. No good for baby making, that one," and the group erupting into bursts of heavy, uncontrolled laughter. Lucian felt his face grow hot with embarrassment and he looked at his feet as a couple of the young men slapped his shoulders playfully, still howling as Platina drew closer.
Lucian watched unblinking, as she wound her way through the crowds, looking for him. When their eyes met, he shoved his sweaty palms into his pockets, uncomfortable and she smiled nervously at him. The boys beside him were doubled over and howling, adding on to the string of vulgarity.
Her gaze rested upon them and she suddenly stopped, putting a hand to the side of her face, self consciously.
"Aww look at that, she rushed all this way just to give you a sip from her pail!" the comment was loud enough to be heard by Platina and Lucian cringed inwardly as her face went crimson red and she began to back away in embarrassment. The ground was still damp from the showers of the night before and her little feet slipped as she went to spun around. Lucian's heart sank as her knees sunk into a patch of soft, yellow grass. The laughter all around him burned into his brain as Platina awkwardly pulled herself up and limped away, her braid flopping behind her.
Someone clapped Lucian on the shoulder, but he was numb to everything else from then on.