Glow

Interlude: Part 1

So mostly, I've been absent for a few reasons. School, Mariachi, and a small but active social life. So even I'm surprised I was able to find time to write this chapter.

This is basically a short story, an interlude, if you will, so some of you don't get antsy. It also plays a larger role in the story, so that too. So if you send me a bunch of PM's and all they say are 'UPDATE!', Cool your jets. Life happens. Have an interlude.

Oh and in other news, I've got a new story I want to write after I finish this and all I'm going to say is Superheroes.

Let me reiterate.

F**KING SUPERHEROES.

I'm very excited about this.

Anyway, I love all of you guys! You keep me sane. Thanks for staying with me.

And now, our Interlude.

"Salden, come on! Hurry!" The young boy raced through the streets, waiting on his older brother.

"Hold on, Callius, I won't be able to find you if you run too far into the crowd. Stay near me," Salden called to his sibling, weaving through the masses of people. The Wandering Circus had come to town for the faire, and already minstrels had gathered many coins, splashed from the deep pockets of nobles.

"A day into the faire and you're acting like its not even important!" Callius harrumphed and crossed his arms. "All you want to do is look at bosoms!"

"By Aphorel, Cal!" Salden huffed, putting his hand on his brother's head. "You would do well to refrain from such talk near our mother. Is that clear?"

"What, saying bosoms?"

"Yes! Now shut your mouth, unless you don't want to see the acrobats."

Cal clamped his mouth shut and looked around at the brightly coloured tents. But the silence was short lived. A juggler passed by, passing food from one hand the the next, keeping an assortment of exotic fruits in the air with each toss. Callius let out a gasp of excitement when he passed. The juggler heard, and glanced at the boy, whose eyes sparkled with wonder. The juggler promptly set down the fruits, pulled three pieces of bright pink, yellow, and blue sheer cloth from his sleeves, and tossed them in the air, passing them from hand to hand. Cal watched in rapt awe. After a minute or so, the juggler let the pieces of cloth gently fall into his hand. He gave a bow to Callius, handed him the pieces of cloth, picked up the fruits, and went on his way once more.

"Did you see that!" Callius jumped around excitedly, clutching the cloth. "Look what he gave me!"

"I see. Here, give those to me. I can carry them for you."

"Nononono. I want to carry them myself. I'm responsible, Al. So when can we see the acrobats?"

"Later, later. Right now we need to find mother. Do you see her anywhere?"

"No."

The two boys scanned the whole area, glancing between the mass of people flowing around them. Flashes of bright color poked nearby the stands selling goods. Savoury smells wafted from the food carts to their left. All around them there was a blur of talk. It was hot out, being late summer. The sun was a bright orange, and cast a warm glow over the kingdom. A gentle breeze lazily looped its way through the people, past Salden and Callius, through the trees. Dwarves stood in the corners and doorways, drinking beer and talking with the outcasts or Archers about some topic or another. It wasa good day.

But a lot of things go on in markets and faires. Illicit activities. What seems bright and cheerful can easily take an ugly turn behind a closed doors or hiding behind garden walls. Shady dealings are looked upon with as much casuality as one can muster while standing beside a food cart or between the walls of stands. Money can be exchanged, along with information. People can be sought out. Demands made, promises kept, lives changed. There is a lot that can go on during a faire, and many can be effected. Such as it was today. The day the Circus came to the city. The day Callius and Salden were changed to fit the roles they play now. Everything has an effect. Everything takes an effect.

Callius and Salden were no more than casualties.

But they play a bigger role than one may realise.

The stage is set for our great tragedy.

Now all we need are the actors.

Luckily, we have two.