Nothing's ever that easy.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0QZ2mE5an 維尼

Viktor Kyrgan sat in a sturdy, polished wooden rocking chair, reading as a breeze whipped around the dark pine trees of the thriving town of Silverwood, by his ears, and into the shutters of the first-floor windows of the inn, in front of which he sat. Despite the noise, he remained lost in his thoughts, staring into his book, without taking in any of the words.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXD47GwpbB 維尼

How long has it been?8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpY0jbGahB 維尼

Glancing up, he took in the town, which bustled with people, moving with a fearsome intensity as if they were preparing for war, except no weapons were in sight. Instead, they rolled barrels of ale, held streamers and banners between them, and carried an overall look of deep content as most of them congregated on the town green in front of him.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AbdNrqJEn 維尼

Every year's the same. No one decorates before the festival.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n5PPbJz9J 維尼

Everything's done at the last minute. But that's Silverwood.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD9Lasssca 維尼

He whirled to his left as a yell broke his concentration, his raven locks whipping to the left side of his face. At the sight of only children fencing with sticks, the tension in his shoulders loosened.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgO6ovIdhi 維尼

As further time passed, he even spied a few merchants walking the streets with pushcarts behind them filled with foreign foods and even jewelry that would be on sale by nightfall. Most of the richest goods will be within the circus grounds, though if I remember correctly.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhE89W6Wlt 維尼

With any sort of traveling festival this large, everyone involved is always looking to make a profit. Especially here, where there is enough money to go around but not enough for people to establish meaningful competitors to the visiting businesses.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpXeOtzx1m 維尼

As two familiar grizzled faces passed by the inn, he waved to them.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0w2dLmule 維尼

"Hey Ned, Tom, how's the patrol?" A grin split across his face as he thought about how easy it must be part of the Silverwood town guard.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡPobhMQoFMf 維尼

"Same old, same old. No trouble except Kellen and the usual crowd."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJYjaW8puT 維尼

Letting out a short laugh, Viktor put his hand up for one more short wave as the two men passed out of his sight.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡewHHiwDWip 維尼

Kellen Mitharias.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QeXsSa7BY 維尼

Who would've thought we'd ever be close?8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡleJv0s8v8W 維尼

Every time a twinkle appeared in Kellen's eye, some sort of mischief was afoot. And every time, I somehow get wrapped up in his never-ending party. 8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡonzsatgacl 維尼

"Reading again, Viktor? It won't make you any smarter." A wiry young man with richly decorated, carefully tailored clothing stared down at him, a smirk painting the corners of his face. 8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgy6lXBJgu 維尼

He inhaled from an ornate pipe, then blew a cloud of smoke in Viktor's face, who waved it away, frowning. "You shouldn't be sampling the drosera anymore, Illthyr." 8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLuFZoAQyZ 維尼

"And you shouldn't bother reading. Or better yet do, it is what outcasts do."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX0C4MDEGL 維尼

Ilthyr again. Why doesn't he leave me alone? 8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYZCc7XjDq 維尼

In Silverwood and the surrounding towns, Ilthyr Valans was known for his family's riches, which they'd gained from running a vineyard in Silverwood and a wine bar in the neighboring, much larger Foxmoor. All in all, he's got just as much of a penchant for leading a never-ending party as he does for spearheading most of the violence here. Peering down at the book's cover, he chuckled. "What's this one? Ah, the Brotherhood of the Hiervalan: A History? You do know this is a fantasy right? Your family was nothing but a bunch of mindless soldiers and they even failed at that."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9F3c7RV6G 維尼

He snatched the book from Viktor's grasp and began turning it over in his hands, still smiling, though his eyes were ice. Spinning the book in his grip, he motioned to the green, "if you weren't a valec, maybe we could have been friends." Shaking his head, he tossed the book outward, watching it fall on the dusty road. "Then again, you'd have to drop all of the other valci as well for that to happen. And we both know you'd never do that."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡADX3Eq6mDf 維尼

"You should stop using that word to describe me and especially my family. You know how bad it is."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8KiHVVqxX 維尼

"Or what? It's what you are."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuIoMmH5Uk 維尼

He'll get what's coming to him one day. 8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WoeOJNc4x 維尼

"What do you want Ilthyr?"8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9CoAWKUd4 維尼

"To put you in your place. You're all tough when Kellen and the rest of them are around, especially that drunk of an uncle of yours." He smirked again, a predator who had cornered its prey, as Viktor stood, clenching his fists. "Didn't you learn from last time?" He snapped his fingers and another, even taller figure appeared at his side, expressionless. Gareth. He won't even react without Ilthyr's approval. Talk about a mindless functionary. 8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ONtUhk6Ou 維尼

If I just pretend like they aren't here.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2EeHKt94O 維尼

"Let's see the mark Kyrgan," He felt a tug on his sleeve and it ripped wide open, revealing endlessly intertwining sets of faintly glowing, leaf-filled vines. "See Gareth, that's what I've been trying to tell everyone. That's why my father wants them expelled from town. They've got the mark and they're all evil. They'll butcher our families and..."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡO060BW6goV 維尼

"Shove off Ilthyr," Viktor stood, nose-to-nose with his adversary who spluttered for a moment before regaining his composure. "Or what? You can't use magic on me. You don't even know how to, remember?"8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaduS6MdOZ 維尼

Don't remind me. That was the worst day since..8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVpvtY38qx 維尼

"What is it Valec, cat got your tongue?"8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ5EZe6iIu 維尼

He tore himself free from his reverie and shoved Ilthyr backward into the porch's railing, watching as he hit it with a formidable crack.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4fH1niTvi 維尼

"Oh now you've done it," The stockier young man rebounded in an instant and kicked out at Viktor, catching him in the shin and causing him to fall to the ground. Innumerable kicks began to rain down and he felt himself roll down the stairs, then hit the road,  his eyes flickering between pure darkness and the rusty brown beneath him. 8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw0v1ZWoPz 維尼

As he curled up into a ball, waiting for the beating to be over, a familiar voice spoke as if through a fog. "Hey, Ilthyr you ogre, how many times do we have to do this dance?" Two cracking sounds and a yell rang out and Viktor found himself lying there peacefully, though with pain pulsing across his back. "Geez wolf, I would've put my money on you." A burly arm wrapped around him and hefted him in the air, setting him down on his feet. "You know how it is with him, I try and.." Viktor felt himself begin to blush and grunted, pushing a swathe of hair out of his eyes. "Thanks."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC2qXsK2B7 維尼

"No need," Kellen's face broke out into a wide smile as Viktor turned to look at him. "It's nothing. You're family. Anyway, we have far more important concerns than that scum." He wrapped one arm around Viktor's back, who did the same to him in a sort of embrace and as they broke it, his hulking friend began to look him over. When am I going to stop being a loser and start bulking up like Kellen so Ilthyr can't bully me anymore? What if next time they kill me? The guy's crazy. Anything's possible and I can't keep going on like this. I need to do something. Kellen's a mountain and I'm barely a hill.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKNQlYA8gr 維尼

"Hello?" He felt a rap on the top of his head after a few moments. "Come out of your thoughts and into the real world." Viktor blew out a sigh but allowed Kellen to put an arm around his shoulders once again as two resplendently dressed, women passed them on the green. One of them called out, "where's the party tonight, Kellen?" 8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyQ8WbI44G 維尼

"Yeah, where's it all happening?" Who in the world are they? They don't live here. 8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq9UVHPBLZ 維尼

"Like I told everyone else, after the carnival, head to the back deck!"  8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡHizvVlG1fH 維尼

"We'll be there!" Beaming from ear-to-ear, they passed on into the village, with one of them blowing Kellen a kiss which he pretended to catch and put in his pocket. "Seriously?" Viktor rolled his eyes, "can't you settle?"8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡh92ydRYtPn 維尼

"And who would I settle with? You have Fjalda. Enialis and Mari have each other, as much as they argue." He laughed from deep in his belly until Viktor turned a death-stare in his direction. "I'm sorry Vik. I just think, like the rest of us do, that you two would be great together."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJlWu2r27F 維尼

"You know why that can't happen."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCE5Mhgyx6 維尼

"Hell, it's been a year and she's fine and none of us blame you. It happened and we can't change it." Viktor snorted. "You can say that again. And anyway, I value her in my life and suggesting that we become something more after everything we've all been through could send her packing." A horse ran wild across the green for a moment with a plump man chasing after it, wheezing as he picked up speed. "Look at Master Olafsson. Impressive. I haven't seen him run like that since my father introduced a new vintage two years ago. Speaking of that," Kellen turned to the inn, rubbing his hands together until Viktor shoved him. 8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJTng9dmd1 維尼

"Focus. What's this about a party tonight?"8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqZmUHWLte 維尼

"Ah, I almost forgot to mention. We're going to the carnival with four friends you know all too well. One of them, I just mentioned. Don't roll your eyes at me," he side-eyed Viktor, pushing him with a smile. "Hawk and Mari are over the moon to be going tonight. In fact, there they are right now." Two figures skipped towards them across the green, with one, an ivory-haired young woman with sun-kissed skin and pure amber eyes leading, with the other, a reedy-girl with hair the color of golden wheat just before harvest, searing the grass with her emerald eyes close behind. As they drew closer, Viktor remained transfixed as the former twice ended her skip with a pirouette of sorts. Like always. Perfect as the ballerinas in Actaentum, or so I'd imagine. Every movement she makes is a part of a greater dance. "Viktor," Kellen snapped his fingers and he broke out of his loop, returning to the present moment. 8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sA5M5lKds 維尼

"We go to the carnival every year, Kellen. Why tonight? Why this time?"8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqqeCtTwIG 維尼

"This time, Fjalda will be there." Wrapping a tree-trunk-sized arm around Viktor, he laughed aloud when the shorter young man wriggled free of his grasp. "She's there every year with us. Kellen wrapped an arm around his friend's shoulders once again and pointed out to the green in front of them as their friends drew closer, Fjalda still gliding over the grass. "This is different from last year Vik. This time, you are going to tell her how you feel and the rest of us won't have to watch you two endlessly dancing around the subject anymore."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWCgmO1SZl 維尼

"I told you-"8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJS0sWEQXM 維尼

"No more excuses and don't turn those wolf eyes on me. I'm trying to help." Kellen put up his hands. "Fine, I'll let you help." Even though whatever he plans will only come back to bite me in the end. "I'm happy you have seen the light." At the twinkle in his eye, Viktor groaned.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAZxHuE7v4 維尼

"Kellen, what else are you planning for tonight?" Gritting his teeth, he ran his hands through his hair, looking up to the sky, then back down.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡta4KCl7Rso 維尼

"You know my plans. I am an open book." His eyes continued to shine like stars in a cloudless sky. "And besides, you need to lighten up. Tonight, there's no Ilthyr and there won't be any worries. I won't allow them. On this night, the world's our oyster."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGlHRllFwW 維尼

"You've never even been to the sea." He began to follow and shortly found himself face-to-face with both Fjalda, and Marialena, who eyed him with a raised eyebrow.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGF3KZyA65 維尼

"So boys, I assume we're going together to the carnival tonight?" Marialena Elias, the taller of the two spoke, her eagle-like gaze now scanning them. "Hello," Viktor said in their general direction and when he didn't continue, Marialena giggled and Kellen cut in, "we," he glanced at Viktor and rolled his eyes as he looked back at the women, "are escorting you as I said. As soon as the others arrive."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BvsUN4pVd 維尼

"Like you two could ever prove to be reliable escorts," Marialena rolled her eyes, and Fjalda gave a short laugh, "but we have no better options."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5vPN1bZuY 維尼

"That's right, you don't," Kellen motioned between himself and Viktor, then winked at the women. "We're all you have, as usual."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6fsin4bwX 維尼

"Only because it's you two, Enialis, or worse, like Ilthyr," Endeavoring to keep a stony look, Marialena finally broke down and the look of pain on Kellen's face. "Oh leave it, you know I was only joking." She made as if to kick him in the toe, but he jumped, avoiding her attack and wagging a finger at her. "You'll have to be faster than that." 8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡppFFMqg0jm 維尼

"Eliza's waiting on the prince. We are all aware of how long he takes to get ready for any sort of event," the other, Fjalda, sidled up to Viktor, the hint of a smile playing across her lips. "Could be days," Viktor winked at her and watched as Marialena and Kellen stopped their playfighting long enough for the former to respond. "Hawk, I wish you'd stop calling him that. He's never done anything to you."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NF7c5Bxld 維尼

"And I wish you'd stop naming me a bird, yet here we are." Fjalda stretched her arms out to her sides as they spoke and waving them rapidly.8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxeN4T1q1i 維尼

"Ladies, let's save the fighting for at least the end of the night, shall we? Off to the show?" Kellen turned to Viktor, his eyes glinting, and proceeded to lead the group out across the green, dodging a swipe from Marialena. "Boys will be boys," Marialena whispered, and Fjalda chuckled from her side as the group traipsed off across the village green. 8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtUOBi6c5V 維尼

From somewhere deep within the tree-line behind the inn, a lone figure watched and as they passed out of sight, it whispered, "all of the pieces are coming together just as we planned."8964 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzKc1Zpw0y 維尼

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