Snippet #1786204

"Thank you all for taking the time to listen," announced the mandolin player. She had just finished performing her song, and decided to take a rest from entertaining the audience. "I'll be back to playing. But for now, I'll be taking a short rest. So please, do come to listen again when I'm done."

The music she performed were all so soothing and exciting, contributing much to the happy atmosphere of the village. Cedric was astounded by her talent, pondering if she's related to any famous musicians of Tugan Bril.

"What's her name, by the way?" Cedric had asked Midus. The priest held up his chin as he tried to remember.

"As she started performing, she announced her name as Mifa. I think that's only her first name." Cedric hoped to greet with her when he gets the chance of closure.

Once the crowd had dispersed to other attractions and areas of the village, both Cedric and Midus sat down in a nearby wooden bench and caught up with what they've been doing. Midus had talked about his favorite preachings of this year as well as the town's status. Cedric was glad to hear about Jiender's well-being. Then he told him about his journeys to the other cities and villages in Enche Lanche and some parts of Kidennar. Having presented his travel journal to Midus, the priest seemed very impressed by the logs written inside.

"My, you've been everywhere in the region, and you even went to Inish Root of Kidennar! Did you go to all of these places by yourself?"

"Well, I'm not sure how to answer that. Technically, I did go there alone without any family or friends. However, I traveled with groups of people on the same route. It's usually with a group paying for the wagon transport service, but sometimes they happened to be a band of adventurers heading to the next town. I prefer not to travel alone, after all."

The two continued to discuss until Midus noticed some of the folk heading towards a certain direction outside the town square. They were mentioning about a famous artist in town, by the name of Sevrannis Jesfalt. Cedric immediately recognized the name as the popular painter of Enche Lanche. He was quite surprised that Sevrannis was here, but Midus looked like he had no idea of who Sevrannis was.

"You don't know? Sevrannis Jesfalt is a very famous painter in from Enche Lanche. But I can't believe he's here, in Jiender!" Cedric explained to him. Midus finally understood, then told him about Jiender being very slow with the news update.

"... or maybe it's just me getting old. I'm in my fifties, and I've never left this village to hear about the ongoings much," Midus added.

He suggested the both of them should check out the artist, but the mage wanted to talk with Mifa. When Cedric turned to where the Mifa was last seen, she was gone. 'Ah well. I guess I shall talk to her during the Grand Feast event, hopefully.'

They decided to follow the people heading outside, only to see what looked like a young man being pulled and pushed by those surrounding him. He was quickly identified as the artist, since he's holding onto his painting equipment while handling the crowd. It was expected to see him like this, since he's the hot topic around Enche Lanche.

"That's him, Sevrannis Jesfalt. The one being... attacked by the mob of fans," he said, trying his best to resist a laugh. Midus had asked if they should help him from the adoring crowd, and Cedric agreed with him.

"Ey, you two! Don't ya ever thought the young lad had 'nuff of the crowd already?" A familar voiced stopped both Cedric and Midus, who were about to go help out Sevrannis. Before Midus would reply, Cedric finally remembered who it was with the familiar voice.

"Could it be you... Hareck?" Cedric questioned, slowly turning around to see for himself.

"It's Bey Hareck! Can't believe ya forget ta address me like that!" It was the bey of the town, Old Hareck.

"Hah! It is you!" Cedric greeted him with a smile and a long handshake. "How've you been, old man?"

"Oh, just fine. Just fine, me boy. Bless Magney that we meet again this great day!"

As the two exchanged smiles and laughters, Cedric had noticed something odd about the old man. Midus was also wondering about the same thing of Hareck.

"Bey Hareck," Cedric slowly said. "Why are your clothes so dirty?"

The elder village had told them his recent game of Silverfishing, where he was dragged across grass, dirt, and puddles of mud within the silverfish pen. Cedric had scolded the man, trying to convince him to not play physical games due to his age. Of course, the mayor didn't much cared about his worries. Midus told Cedric there's no way of changing his behavior when it comes to the festivities of Jiender.

"After all, it's an once-a-year opportunity for the him to have fun, especially with the kids," said the priest. Then, the bey decided to go back on topic.

"As I just 'membered, you two are gonna help that poor artist. Aren't I right?" asked Hareck. The two nodded in response.

"Aye, sorry for stopping the both of ya. Though, the boy did deserve the crowd he's got. And I hafta say, he's a fine painter. Glad he came to me ol' village." Hareck turned around and began walking away. "Now if you 'scuse me, I'mma gonna see if things are on top back at the square before the Grand Feast. Thinkin' bout that feast just makes you hungry a lot more, don't ya think?"

As he headed back to the town square, Midus looked as if he just remembered something urgent. He quickly spoke to the mage in a hasty manner.

"I almost forgot. I need to go help prepare the banquet for the Grand Feast. Sorry, but I must be there now!" He began walking away in a fast pace. Before he forget, he turned around and shouted, "The feast will be ready by dinner time, Cedric. Don't forget to be there!"

Midus was gone, and Cedric had just remembered that he needed to help the troubled fellow. He quickly squeezed himself barely inside the group, trying to get closer to the artist and spread some room between him and the mob. Cedric was saying mannered phrases such as "excuse me" and "pardon me" out of habit, while trying to get through. Unfortunately, faeries thought the mage was trying to gather Sevrannis's attention for himself. Instead, the strategy backfired and they were trying to push Cedric out away from the artist now.