• Closed • Founder's Festival (Faith)

[Lei'lira]

115th Ashan, 719


They could hear the sound of the crowds even before they reached the glass quarter. Tiran squealed with excitement, and tried to pull away from Ryu'lian, who tightened his grip on the small boy's hand firmly. Tiran pouted, but subsided after a few trills. Lei'lira smiled at her son's antics. It was obvious to her that he wanted to see everything that was going on as soon as he could. His twin, on the other hand, looked a lot less certain. Taerin toddled along quietly, her tiny hand clutching Ryu'lian's other hand. Unlike her more adventurous brother, she made certain to keep Ryu'lian between her, and the noise of the crowd. After a few bits, Ryu'lian picked her up and balanced her on one hip while he continued to hold onto Tiran with his other hand. Taerin seemed to be a lot happier with this arrangement, and she looked around curiously. Lei'lira gave her friend a grateful look.

They had all decided that they wanted to go out and see the festival. It was warm enough that even her youngest wouldn't suffer from exposure, so Liu'yerin to come with them instead of staying behind with the youngest children. Liu'yerin held Kaien, keeping him amused while she talked to her brother quietly. As Lei'lira watched, she saw how happy her childhood friend was. There was so much work to do on the farm that it was rare for them to all be able to get out and spend some time together as a family like this.

Mei'rune fussed, distracting Lei'lira from her thoughts. Her youngest daughter hated loud noises, and being crowed by too many people. It frightened her. Lei'lira wondered if she had made a mistake in bringing Mei'rune, and her twin Ryl'ari with her. But as she glanced over at Teia, who was holding Ryl'ari, she could see that her daughter was loving every trill of their outing. Lei'lira sang softly to the anxious not quite one arc old in her arms. It seemed to help, and after a while, Mei'rune settled down. But she watched everything around her with wide, worried eyes.

Ei'ryn, Ei'ryl, and Eri were keeping a close watch on Sai'ryl, Tae'ryn, and Teirue. The younger children were brimming with excitement over the prospect of a festival, and they were releasing some of that built up energy by running ahead a short ways to explore, and running back to the rest of the group. Her three oldest adopted children were making sure that the younger ones didn't go too far ahead. Lei'lira knew that Eri, Ei'ryn, and Ei'ryl wanted some time to explore the festival by themselves, and in that trill, Lei'lira decided to give it to them as a reward for helping her now. The three girls were old enough that they could go out with an adult's supervision, so once the younger children were tired out from all of the excitement, the rest of them could go home while the older girls stayed a while longer.

As they reached the edge of the crowd, Lei'lira heard Even tell Kei'iru that he couldn't wait to learn more about Ilaren, and the history of Rharne. She was certain that he would enjoy hearing some of the speakers from the various factions and businesses as well. Kei'iru tried to be polite, and pretend that she was interested in those things too, but Lei'lira could tell that she was far more interested in seeing the different bards and storytellers that would be mingling among the crowd.

Atreyas and Lil'ari were mostly interested in the bards as well, but Atreyas also wanted to see some of the fighting competitions that would be held in the various taverns. Lei'lira couldn't help but be somewhat interested in those as well. She had made some progress with the katana, and the cross bow, but seeing them in action would teach her a lot, simply by observing the fighters. It was unlikely that she would see people using bows in the festival because of the crowds, but there might be some fighters using swords. Perhaps she and Atreyas could watch a fighting competition together later while the others looked at all of the stalls.

With that thought in mind, she allowed Evan to pull her towards one of the stalls. But she froze when she saw a familiar face in the crowd.

"Faith?" she called out uncertainly.

It certainly looked like the woman who had brought Kaien back to life after the storm that had blown her off course to Scalvoris. But this wasn't Scalvoris. Could she have been mistaken?

[Faith Augustin]

115th Ashan, 719

She did not have time for this.

There was so much to do, not enough time to do it in, and some trials ~ like this one ~ it seemed impossible that the would ever achieve anything. Yet, they had achieved so much - done so much. People were working hard, and Faith knew that. She was making as much armour as she could, was working as tirelessly as she could. She had to make sure that everyone who needed and wanted it had that, and so she had been a regular visitor here to the market, getting fabric and other supplies. And frankly, she was exhausted. But they had miles still to go and they had to keep up momentum. So, she was here getting more fabric, and supplies for making her own fabrics at home, too. She had a spinning wheel and she'd been working on it a little. It wasnt quite intuitive, though, so she'd taken the time to ask the woman who had the stall what she was doing wrong. The weave just wasn't quite working, Faith had explained. The stall owner had looked at the piece of fabric Faith had brought with her and smiled, then taken her to the spinning wheel there and shown Faith which small piece of the whole needed to be screwed in a little tighter. A minute detail, but the stall owner assured Faith it would make all the difference.

When she got home, she'd try that. But for now, Faith was very glad for her Domain Bag as she put the fabric in there, and she flung it over her shoulder. She still had some food to buy, some medical supplies and she was, as always, on the look out for books. Faith loved books, but this was not about her passion ~ this was about their survival. Because you never knew when the most important bit of information might just appear there. Right in front of them.

So, Faith was looking at books, when she heard her name being called. Lifting her head, she turned to look and there, in Rharne not in Scalvoris was, "Lei'lira?" Faith's eyes lit in a smile, but then there was a sudden, and very brief, flash of worry on her face. Oh, no. Lei'lira was here. Here, where it wasn't safe. But the expression was there and gone as quickly and Faith moved to her. "What are you doing in Rharne!? I didn't know you were here! It is very nice to see you... all!" Lei'lira had a lot of children - a lot of them.

Faith loved children, so it was no issue to her, rather it was a delight. "How long have you been here? Are you visiting?"

Just one more person in danger, because of her. Faith bit back a sigh.

[Lei'lira]

It really was Faith over by the book seller, and Lei'lira nudged the kids in that general direction. Evan needed no urging. He grabbed Kei'iru's hand, and pulled her over to the display eagerly, before picking up a history of Rharne, and thumbing through its contents. Kei'iru glanced back at Lei'lira, and rolled her eyes at Evan's eagerness, but she soon found a book of her own to look through.

Faith look worried for a trill, and that gave Lei'lira pause. Had she interrupted something important?

"Is everything okay?" she asked softly.

She didn't know Faith well, but she owed the other woman a great deal; more than she could ever repay. So if there was something she could do to help Faith, then she would be happy to do it. But Faith's questions distracted her, and she smiled in response.

"We live here now, and have since last Vhalar. I own a farm out in the Storm Lands. It is my hope to turn in into a horse breeding ranch some trial."

"And she's going to do it, too!" Atreyas insisted.

Lil'ari nodded, determination brimming in her eyes.

"We're going to help." she told Faith solemnly.

Eri shushed them, and this led to a quick round of introductions as Lei'lira introduced her family to Faith.

"When our ship was washed up in Scalvoris, we were on our way to Rynmere so that I could sell my farm there and gather the rest of my family before moving to Rharne. With all of the mage burnings, and everything else, it seemed safer to get out of Rynmere as quickly as possible. Besides, I have family here. A cousin named Vivian." Lei'lira explained.

"Are you visiting Rharne?" Lei'lira asked politely.

[Faith Augustin]

115th Ashan, 719

By all the Immortals, but it was a small world, Faith determined.

Just for a moment, she wished it wasn't. She was pleased to see Lei'lira for herself, in a purely selfish way. But Lei'lira was a vulnerable woman at the best of times, and Faith knew that just by virtue of talking to her, she was in danger. Potentially. When Lei'lira asked her if everything was alright, Faith gave her the best reassuring smile that she could although she'd have to admit that her best wasn't great at the moment. She knew, without a doubt, that Lei'lira was a good person, but Faith really didn't want her getting mixed up in this. Faith would never forgive herself.

But then, Lei'lira gave her an interesting piece of information.

"Vivian? Is she a Lightning Knight?" Faith asked. She smiled at Lei'lira and shook her head. "I know a Lightning Knight called Vivian. She's .. well, no, everything isn't alright at the moment. Vivian's protecting my house." Along with a lot of other folks. A lot of them. If the children weren't there, Faith would have explained that the house was attacked, but she knew Lei'lira well enough to know that the young woman would work it out. "We.. oh, we live here. On the shores of Lake Lovalus. That's the house that Vivian's guarding. Protecting." Faith smiled slightly, thinking back. "We've lived here since Saun, actually. It's quite a place." Faith looked at the children and smiled. "I'm sure you're a big help. I'd love to see your horses and home. One trial soon, I'm sure." But not while things were how they were for Faith. Being around her, being associated with her was just too dangerous.

"Vivian has been very good," Faith said with a smile. "When she first got called to the house," Faith said, choosing her words carefully, "I was emotional. Vivian was very business-like and I just cried. She told me things I needed to know, but didn't want to listen to. She didn't seem to hold that against me. I suppose she's used to emotional people, in her line of work." Faith smiled, just a slight smile. Everything about her was tense, a far cry from the way she'd been on Scalvoris. Faith knew that about herself, but she could not help the tension that she was feeling.

"So, a ranch? That sounds very exciting," she said, putting her concerns out of her mind. "What do you need to do, in order to make that dream come true? "

[Lei'lira]

Faith smiled at her. It was meant to be a reassuring smile, Lei'lira was certain, but it was a smile she knew well; a polite lie. She had worn it herself many times when she had still been married to Drayas. Smile for the people at the farmer's market and greet them politely as she bought her supplies. Tell them that everything was wonderful when they asked about her husband...when nothing could have been further from the truth. Never tell them how truly miserable you were. Even if they knew, there was nothing they could do to help. Yes...Lei'lira knew that smile very well indeed.

But she didn't know Faith well enough to feel comfortable asking her what was really wrong. So when the other woman asked if the Vivian she knew was a Lightning Knight, she nodded.

"Yes, she is."

She might have said more, but Faith continued, and told her that Vivian and a lot of other people were protecting her house. Her eyes widened with worry, and she tensed in concern for her friend. The presence of her children kept her from asking the questions she wanted to ask because she didn't want to worry them. As it was, Atreyas and Lil'ari looked worried, as did Eri. Even Evan and Kei'iru had abandoned their books in favor of trying to learn more when they heard that Vivian was protecting Faith's house.

"Rharne really is an interesting place." Lei'lira agreed instead.

"We haven't had the time to visit the lake yet, but from what we've heard, it sounds like a beautiful place. I've been meaning to take the children there for a visit some time. But I don't really have a time planned for the trip since there is always so much work to do on the farm. Perhaps when we are able to go, we could meet up for a visit? I would love to meet your family some trial. And you are welcome to come visit the farm any time you wish." she said with a smile.

Ryu'lian called the children over to a display in what was clearly an attempt to distract them. Lei'lira gave him a grateful smile. Teia moved closer to Lei'lira so she could support her friend if it was needed. When Faith spoke of Vivian, Lei'lira nodded.

"Vivian is very good at what she does. And she is a very strong person. If she is protecting you, then I am sure you will be safe." she said with conviction.

Lei'lira hesitated, glancing over at her family to make certain that her children were too busy to pay attention.

"Are you and your family okay?" she asked worriedly.

If Vivian had been called in to protect Faith and her family, then something...or someone had attacked them. She knew that bandits could be a problem in the Stormlands at times, though she was fortunate that they had left her farm alone so far...likely because she was close enough to the city for help to come quickly if it were needed. Were they a problem around the lake as well?

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

She hesitated for a few trills.

"I'm not a fighter. I can't offer you anything in the way of protection the way Vivian can. I would be worse than useless if it came to any kind of fight."

She didn't add that she wasn't a strong person in any sense of the word; it didn't need to be said. Lei'lira knew that Faith already knew that.

"But you are my friend, and I owe you more than I can ever repay for bringing Kaien back to me...so if there is something I can do, then I would like to help."

When Faith asked her about the ranch, Lei'lira smiled. There was little she liked to talk about more than the ranch she was trying to build.

"Right now...mostly time. I own a hundred and thirty nine acres of land and forty six horses, as well as seven Scalvwing Steed mares. It's a good starting point for the breed that I hope to develop. I bred them earlier this season, in fact. With any luck, the foals will be the first step towards creating that breed. But in the long term? What I am hoping to build is so much more than just a breeding ranch. I want to create a...a safe haven for horses, and people who love them. I plan to buy more land in the future, some of which will be turned into riding trails for people who want a safe place to just be with their horse, and some pretty scenery to look at as they ride. I also want to have classes for people who wish to learn how to ride, and take care of horses. In the longer term, I want to create a facility to care for sick and injured horses, and perhaps other animals too, if I can learn enough about them. And ideally...I want to create a place for unwanted horses. Old horses who can no longer do the jobs they were raised for. Abused horses who don't trust people enough to be ridden. Injured horses who would normally be put down rather than attempt to heal them. I want to work with those horses, and give them a safe place to live out the rest of their lives in peace. It will be a huge undertaking...but so very rewarding. And it is my hope that my kids will want to take over when I am too old to be able to keep working the ranch. I also hope to offer a place where orphans and others who have few means can come and learn a means to provide for themselves. Whether they stay on at the ranch and work here when it is big enough for that, or go and start farms of their own...it will be a trade that can give those who are interested in learning it and their families hope for a better future than they currently have."