The landing in the next location of investigation was a bit rougher than the others. The weather never really was something you could predict with a hundred percent accuracy, but the strong winds had still been a surprise when they made their landing in Hoodland. Though with all the windmills present in this rural town, winds were likely very common here.
"This seems like a really peaceful place. I could lie back on one of those fields and laze away as I feel the breeze," Emmy said as she stretched her arms. Both she and Elaine were already outside, waiting patiently for the others to come out.
"I know," Elaine agreed. "It sort of reminds of 'ome back in France in a little way. Just a little more rural and with windmills."
"So, Elaine. If I can ask, when exactly did you and Professor Sycamore…?"
"Er… After we came back to London after Kodh," Elaine answered. "We've just been… Taking it slow…"
"Even though I caught him in the middle of trying to give you a hicky?" Elaine gave a sheepish laugh. The scenario was a little funny now that the feelings of embarrassment had passed.
"It was just a… rush of emotions?" Elaine said lamely. It was a horrible excuse, but it was the best she could come up with. Emmy thankfully didn't push much more on that topic.
"Well, it's good to see something going right for you. I can only imagine what Descole put you through, outside of what we know. You deserve to be happy."
"Merci beacuop," Elaine said. "I appreciate it." Elaine gave Emmy a smirk and said, "Tell me though, what exactly does Miss Altava do with Professeur Layton, alone in his office when no one's around~?"
"Paperwork and nothing else," Emmy replied, returning the smirk. "I doubt trying to say anything about the Professor and I will really count as this 'revenge' you wanted after San Grio."
"Mmm, maybe you're right," Elaine admitted. "Maybe I'll think of something better after this adventure."
When the others finally came out, they began their walk in the small farming town. With news of a wedding happening on what appeared to be a perfect day for such, the curiosity of what a Hoogland wedding was like rose just enough to have a quick observation. Although, it was mostly Emmy who wanted to see the wedding, followed by Elaine, and possibly Johanna who had at least mild curiosity.
"Oh! What a fresh breeze," Aurora commented. A light smile on her face as they walked. The Professor however began to frown, as though he noticed something about to happen.
"Hmm…"
"What's wrong, Professor?" Luke asked as the Professor lightly gripped onto his top hat.
"Brace yourselves, everyone."
Before anyone could ask why Professor Layton would say that, the once peaceful wind seemed to strengthen suddenly. Everyone stood their ground and covered their eyes as best they could, as dust rpse off the ground and leaves blew off of trees and bushes as a small tornado of sorts took the roofs off a couple of unlucky buildings as a few people could be heard crying out in shock.
But as quickly as it came, it subsided. Returning to the previously calm atmosphere. Up on a hill, a small group could be seen. One of them the bride of this wedding and the other the priest. They reacted calmly and walked towards their destination, likely where the wedding was taking place. Everyone in the group dusted themselves off and, in Johanna's case, coughed up dust that got in her mouth.
"Phew! What in the world was that?!" Luke exclaimed, blinking his watery eyes that sand had unfortunately gotten into. "I'm surprised it didn't blow these houses away!"
"Look around, Luke. It kind of did," Emmy said as she looked at some of the more destroyed houses.
"Maybe that wind is a reacurring thing 'ere?" Elaine suggested. "That wedding party reacted rather calmly to it all."
"It might explain why they still seem set on continuing on with the ceremony," said Professor Layton. "It's quite astonishing really."
From where they were, they could spot what looked like a chapel on a hill. Since the bride was undoubtedly heading there, that was their next location.
The chapel itself looked like an old ruin, with grey stone and ivy growing on it. It looked like it could have been here before these peoples' great grandparents even. There were a little more than just several people about, as the bride stood in front of the chapel with the priest. It was odd though that Elaine had yet to spot the groom. Wasn't he normally supposed to be with the priest and then the wife comes down? It might have just been a difference of how were done here though.
"Well, it appears we've made it in time for the wedding ceremony," said Professor Layton, just as one of the attendees came up to talk to the priest.
"The bride looks really pretty," Johanna murmured, stepping on her toes to try and get a better look.
"Maybe. But something's not right, though," Emmy said frowning as they looked on. "There seems to be a bit of a kerfuffle going on." Moving closer, they could the worried voice of the brunette man that appeared to be causing this kerfuffle.
"Sage Sheppard, wait! Hear me speak but once more. This nightmare tortures me, consumes my soul. Why must you push her through the chapel door?! Why must Romilda face such misery?!" The man seemed truly desperate, and it truly made one question what exactly was happening in this wedding. Was it some sort of arranged marriage? "I beg, Sage Sheppard, close that chapel door. My fair Romilda merits not his fate!"
"Julien, stop it, would you?" Romilda, the beautiful, dark eyed bride, looked to Julien crossly.
"Romilda. Though you say this is your will, it surely cannot be what you desire! Deny this custom and refuse its aim!"
'He would make a good Shakespearean actor,' Elaine thought dryly to herself, though this situation just felt heart-breaking, even though she had no idea what exactly the true story was.
"Listen…" Romilda's face softened. "I'm happy. I want to be the Dragonlord's bride. I'm happy… all right?"
"So… I guess this is it. Goodbye, Julien. I know it doesn't seem like it now, but you'll be happy again someday. I know it." With no other words to give, Romilda entered the chapel alone with her head held high. Julien just seemed to look more heartbroken by the second, and close to falling on his knees.
"Romilda, this canno-."
"Today we witness the union of Romilda and the mighty Dragonlord. A union that will bless our village with fair winds," Sage Sheppard (wearing what looked like blue priest robes) interrupted. "Come, fair winds! Bring your blessed breezes upon our village!" The priest… Well, sage, looked to two men who stood on either side of the chapel doors. "It is time to seal this union. Close the chapel door!"
Without question they did so, adding chains onto it as well for… A reason that Elaine wasn't quite sure would be a good one.
"Sage Sheppard, please! Undo what you have done!" Julien cried in anguish.
"The wedding ceremony is concluded. Mewl and cry all you like, dear boy." The sage certainly wasn't showing a bit of sympathy. "But know that nothing will change. Romilda is now the Dragonlord's wife." Julian seemed close to tearing, but he turned around swiftly to leave as other people began to disperse. Talking to himself about, 'sweet Romilda'.
"It looks as though the wedding ceremony has finished." Aurora had sounded disappointed. This might not have been how she imagined it to go. Emmy however looked more annoyed if anything. "It's a shame you couldn't take any wedding photographs after following the bride all the way here," Aurora said to Emmy, remembering Emmy's intention for coming here. But the brunette waved it off.
"What we just saw was not a wedding, Aurora!"
"If it was meant to be one, it's perhaps the most depressing wedding I've ever been to," Elaine muttered.
"Oh…?"
"Something is very wrong here." Emmy narrowed her eyes. "We should talk to that man in the blue gown and find out what's going on."
"Let's go then," Elaine agreed. Neither she nor Emmy were going to wait for the response of the others and went ahead towards Sage Sheppard. It couldn't hurt to ask the sage about the wedding. It might just be a simple, harmless tradition that just worked differently to those back home. It might even be an interesting one.
"Excuse me, monsieur. Could we talk to you for a second," Elaine asked in a polite tone.
"Of course," the sage agreed in a pleasant tone. "Thank you for visiting our village. The ceremony is now over, but please stay awhile and enjoy the local area afterwards."
"It's actually the ceremony we wanted to talk to you about," Elaine explained. "It was certainly different from the weddings I'm used to, and my friends 'ere was 'oping to take some photographs." The sage gave a frown to the both of them.
"Photographs? Of Romilda? Well, I'm afraid it's a little late for that, dear girl. Romilda is now married to the Dragonlord. Her soul shall soon depart this chapel, to blow as a fair wind through our village."
"… Pardon moi?" Elaine repeated slowly. She wasn't entirely sure she heard the sage correctly. Maybe she misheard, yes?
"'Er soul shall… 'depart'?" Emmy repeated. That sinking feeling Elaine had before during Desmond's various schemes reappeared now.
"So, that would imply that she will… die?" Elaine asked, her mouth feeling a little dry as it truly began to sink in what had happened.
"You've sacrificed her!" Emmy had an incredulous look on her face. "How could you do such a thing?!"
"My dear ladies, you witnessed the vicious whirlwind that struck the village moments before the ceremony, did you not?" inquired the sage.
"Oui, we did. It was quite… sudden," Elaine nodded. "But, what exactly does that 'ave to do with the wedding?"
"That whirlwind was a manifestation of the Dragonlord's wrath," he explained. "It is to appease this wrath that we present the Dragonlord with a bride from the village. It is a bride's duty to relinquish her human form and become a gentle breeze, blessing our village for… so long as it may last."
"So she will die." Elaine suddenly felt ill. Differences were one thing, but this crossed a very serious line in her eyes.
"This is unacceptable!" Emmy narrowed her eyes. "Open that door right now!"
"Absolutely not!" Sage Sheppard replied furiously. "This ceremony has been held in this village since time immemorial! Do you truly think we'd allow some puerile tourist girl to come along and ruin everything by opening the chapel door?!"
"Perhaps your Dragonlord is so wrathful because 'e doesn't like your taste in women?" Elaine commented dryly. "Or perhaps 'e might already be married and doesn't like you trying to give 'im more brides?" The sage gave Elaine a glare and spoke in a firm tone.
"I would advise you to forget what you have seen here, dear girl. Forget about his village, and enjoy the rest of your trip."
"Ugh!" Emmy turned to walk back to the close by group, Elaine following right after, trying to forget about the bad taste that now lingered in her mouth now.
This village felt more like the setting of a film with a disturbing cult in it than anything else now.