Winter Light Festival
A Mage Hunter Short Story
The icy tears draped the city of Eskanore as the winter celebration took place. The weekend long Winter Light Festival brought out the many thousands of residents. Shovels worked tirelessly to keep the roads clear for the fleece-covered citizenry to shop, commune, and celebrate, but the dwarven salts did well to keep the ground ice-free. Miniature lanterns, either powered by fuel or magic, decorated the rooftops and the stalls.
Something about this magical day permitted Tychon a moment to relax from his duties, as well as for his companions, for crime is mostly unheard of during this time of year.
The half-orc, half-elf wandered the streets as a food stall caught his attention. The vendor’s flames stirred the rich savory odors of the various meats slowly rotating on skewers, appearing to be glazed by honey or some other sweet concoction. As he waited in line, Tychon felt the tapping on his shoulder, “Hey are – Oh it was you who I saw!” He was an older human male, clean shaven, and with glasses struggling to stave off the flakes of frost that fell. His green and red scarf made a perfect match with his knitted winter hat. With him a young woman stood, also human, with a delicate face and golden locks that teased from her own wooly bonnet. Her green eyes were captivating…or would be if it weren’t for Tychon’s tunnel vision.
“Father Desmond,” he acknowledged, “Fancy seeing you here. The honey roasted meats catch your eye too?” The Mage Hunters had a history with the Church of Light, as do the guard. Desmond’s church is the main resource for healing and recovery in the city, and even interrogation when called. The bishop was Tychon and Rion’s primary contact and often called upon his congregation on various matters.
“They do smell delectable, I’ll give them that! I saw you from a distance and wanted to say hi and check up on ya – oh!” he turned with an arm and gestured the quiet woman to approach, “I also wanted to introduce you to our new priestess. Heirune, this is Tychon, co-founder of the Mage Hunters Guild. Tychon, Heirune.”
“A pleasure to meet you,” Tychon held no hesitation as he extended a gentle hand, bare to the cold, yet rough to the touch in spite of her gloves.
“Nice to meet you. Aren’t your hands cold?” She brought up both her hands to cup his to offer him warmth before he could answer. Her eyes shot up, and down. Her initial impression presumed him to be an elven man, with his silver hair and pointed ears remained exposed to the elements as were his hands. However, she felt strength in his fingers and palms, and within that moment she immediately became fascinated when she caught his masculine, orcish features. Tychon was like a wonderous blend of elegance and ferocity.
The hesitation struck him like a poison dart as her beauty was finally acknowledged. The cold did nothing to blemish her pristine face, the blushing, presumably from the weather, accentuated her grace, and her brilliant green eyes stood in contrast to the almost pale bluish-grey atmosphere of the snow-coated markets. The caring, caressing nature she expressed with the simple gesture left him in an almost uncomfortable silence, “No no… it’s no big deal.” He was wondering if she acknowledged the orc blood from the features of his hand, such thoughts would humble him in the presence of attractive women, given his forlorn youth as a half-breed.
Before he could dwell, Desmond added, “She’s such a sweetheart ain’t she? So kind and caring, and the kids love her!” What are you getting at Desmond? As if he read his mind, Desmond chucked, “So what do you got planned for today? Just wandering?”
Tychon shrugged, “Mostly, I suppose. Never been good knowing what to do in my time off.”
“Vanes chapter 4, verse 17,” Desmond quoted from the holy scriptures, “’Rest in me and the answers will fill your heart.’” He chuckled again and gave a sturdy smack on Tychon’s padded shoulder, “Anyways we’re helping the kids set up a stall to sell snow cones. We were off to fetch sugar and fruits. Jayce has quite an entrepreneurial spirit for his age, right Heriune?”
The priestess shook her head, maintaining a smile. She struggled to hold back a harsher critique, recalling when the teenaged lad refused to listen to her suggestion to sell hot cocoa instead. “I think it’s going to be a wonderful learning experience for him.”
Hours passed, and Tychon was able to enjoy the various foods of the vendors and window shop the various arts and craftsmen. Most of the vendors sold either sold jewelry, lights, or toys meant for the children – children he did not have.
Now perched on a roofed balcony of a tavern, remaining in the cold isolation away from the jolly tunes of the bards and the singing of happy patrons, he gazed down onto the streets of the Bear District. The crystal lights flooded the streets and illuminated the roads and stalls as night fell early. His mind finally dwelled upon his own childhood, filled with ostracization from all ends for his half-blood. The only love and care came from his parents, even if it was “tough love” from his father. What bothered him most was an inner conflict, warring ideas and thoughts trying to win over his ultimate desires and goals in life. On one hand, he strived to find meaning in his works. Service to one’s community is always noble, but to him, that very community treated him unfairly. Sure things have changed, people grew up, and he is seen as a more respected man.
However, on the other hand, he pondered his future, his legacy, and who he will leave treasures for in his passing. He observed the many families celebrating this jovial time. Now in his age, he feels like something – someone – special is missing in his life.
“Hey!” a familiar voice interrupted his brooding.
He turned around and saw the same human Father Desmond introduced earlier. This time her golden blonde hair was in full view with her bonnet lowered. “Oh hey. Heirune, right?”
She chuckled, “You remembered. I’m glad I left an impression.” She did, even if it were only a few sentences, aside of her innate beauty. She seemed like a quiet, passive lady with a warm heart at first, but he sensed the hints of some strange, perhaps exciting elements within her personality, at least judging by the little she spoke. The priestess walked over and met him by his side as they returned their gaze onto the crowd. “So what brings you here by yourself?”
Tychon shrugged, “Don’t know. Guess it’s just how I am. How did your snowcone gig go?”
“Not as poorly as you’d think, surprisingly. Jayce was still upset, but at least he listened to something I suggested this time. Told him he’d have better luck outside of a warm restaurant, and much to my surprise he actually sold a few.” Tychon only met her with a “Hmph.” An awkward silence followed before she popped the question, “Are you a close follower of Yule?”
“Religion isn’t something I really paid too much mind to. Way too many pantheons for me to keep track of. Plus, my mind is focused on so many things with the Mage Hunters and my own training.”
“I see. You know why The Winter Light Festival is so special?”
“I just know it’s a celebration of Yule, that’s it.”
She inched closer to him, and extended her hand as she pointed, trailing her finger towards the line of crystal lights. “You see those lanterns? Those lights symbolize Yule’s journey as she descended on the mortal plane, wandering for forty days with her divine lantern. She provided a source of light when the demon of frost and shadows nearly swallowed the world. The lantern diminished as the power of the demon grew. Not even the pantheons were able to defeat it. As they retreated and left the mortals to their fate, Yule became a symbol of hope as she descended from the divine plane and experienced our plight firsthand as a mortal. She provided miracles: raising the dead, healing frostbite and curing diseases, and even taught her followers how to use her magic.
“And you saw all those crystal bowls in the tavern filled with snow? They resemble the fragments of the goddess. When the darkness grew stronger and the world nearly froze over, she ventured to the World Crown Mountains and shattered her body into a million fragments.” She picked up a patch of snow that settled on the wooden railing, “Those fragments illuminated the sky with new stars, and showered the world in a beautiful aurora. Her lantern broke, and its power enriched the sun and the moons with a brighter brilliance that weakened the demon, allowing the pantheons to finally destroy it.”
Tychon kept his eyes on the citizenry below, but his ears fully tuned in to Heirunes tale.
“Families who dine together would leave a chair open for travelers, just like how Yule was welcomed in the homes of the Kerranites. I grew up in Brewstown, and when I was a kid, a ranger came and stayed at our home for a night. He let me ride on his brown bear,” she giggled at the pleasant memories, “she was so adorable.” It wasn’t Tychon’s story, but the more she elaborated on the tales of Yule, and sharing nuggets of her history, he felt a warmth in his spirit. With it came a hope, a hope of blessing his future family with wondrous memories, much like the citizenry below. “… No pressure, but if you’re interested to learn more about our goddess, I welcome you to our church!” She paused and blinked, just now realizing she was doing all the talking. “Oh…S-sorry. I didn’t mean to yap for so long.”
He slowly turned to her with a soft smile, “Thank you for sharing, Heriune. It’s a wonderful story.” The priestess may not know it, but these were some words Tychon needed to hear. As he walked past her, he planted a gentle palm on her shoulder. “I look forward to working with you.” He paused right before he re-entered the warmth of the tavern, “with the mage hunters, of course…” he corrected hesitantly. While Tychon couldn’t see, her cheeks grew deep red.
Late into the evening, the crystal lamps dimmed as a crowd formed in two lines outside the Church of Light, expanding a great distance throughout the city. Tychon was vaguely familiar with the ritual, but thanks to Heirune, he learned more about her goddess. He watched the final lights shutter, allowing the sky the freedom to illuminate the city. The doors of the church opened, and out came a lone maiden wearing an ornate white robe with gold trims, her face veiled in a chromatic cloth. The conversations died into whispers before her presences commanded silence and respect. She walked the line, allotted six feet on each side. In her hand she held a crystal lantern, fueled by her divine magic.
Tychon was distant away from the church, barely able to make out the figure until after she turned at a bend. She held grace in her posture as she made her journey in between the crowds, accompanied by no one, as Yule did when she arrived on the mortal plane. The crowds moved and followed with plentiful space from her as she walked uphill. After a ten minute stride, she reached her destination: a bell tower accompanied by Father Desmond and two other priests. They managed a rope that dangled before them, and together they attached the lantern. Once secured, the lantern ascended “the World Crown Mountain” as the maiden tugged and pulled the rope. Once it reached its destination, the maiden spoke a prayer that broke the silence. “Oh lady of light, we offer our gratitude as we rise in the new year. Your pain and sacrifice freed us from the wicked demon that nearly consumed our world, and your grace saves us from the demons that plague us today. With your holy radiance, we are forever protected. As we scatter your holy light throughout the world, may all find your star so you may lead them into salvation.” She raised up her hands, and a golden light emerged from her palms. The lantern above reacted, almost turning into a blinding beacon. Right as the light fizzled out, on queue all the lanterns throughout the city roared with life once again, and with it, so did the citizenry, offering applause and cheers to a wondrous performance.
Tychon kept his eye on the maiden with a warm smile. She too caught his gaze, and removed the veil across her eyes offering her own smile. Even before she spoke her prayers with her distinct voice, the mage hunter knew it was her, and Heirune played her role masterfully, he thought.
Good work man! Keep it up.