A day of celebrations and beginnings

You know it’s funny, even after all this time I can still remember the day that it all started. It was on the 30th of Dagda in the year 121, the day of the Lightwatch Festival. When we say goodbye to the cold nights of Winter and welcome in the warm winds of Spring. But more importantly in Tarn, the small village in the Eastmarks where I grew up. It is also a day that holds a more special meaning. For you see, it is on this day that various youths that have come of age, their hearts filled with hopes and dreams, say their farewells to friends and family. Before venturing out the next day beyond the borders of the village in order to make way for Keralon. In search of fame and fortune. And that year was the year that it was my turn to make that voyage as I had reached the age of 16.
 
I remember waking up on that cold morning. Blessing my stars that I did not oversleep that day, which would have been an impressive feat for an elf like myself. But considering that I had spend the previous day and most of the previous night packing, unpacking, inspecting and repacking the supplies that I would need on my trip, it would also not have surprised me. Thus I made my way to the Coldperch Inn to join my future travel buddies. When I made it to the inn, I quickly spotted both the magical twins Hayley and Luke Thomas and Dadroz arriving at the same time. As for the rest, we found them sitting inside the inn waiting for us. Seeing as how both the other set of twins Alistan and Liliana De La Roost as well as their friend the satyr Ilias had just finished their cups of hot cocoa, it was obvious that they had already been waiting there for a long while. Which did make me feel a little less embarrassed, seeing that I was not the only one who was over excited for our journey.
Following a quick greeting, we fortunately did not have to wait long as we were quickly joined by the Sheriff of Tarn, Edna Fare. Now while she did have a small decade on us in terms of age, admittedly one might consider her a bit too young at the time to hold such an important position. But no one who knew her would ever question either skill or devotion when it came to protection those in need. Calmly she explained to us that sadly our other two companions for the journey, the young lord Edward Coline and Elsa Coline of Tarn, would not be joining us for the first part of the festivities. This was disappointing of course as I had never really interacted with either of them before and this would have been a good opportunity to get to know them before heading out, but I digress. Following this, she explained that as per tradition we were now expected to go around the village in order to say our goodbyes to friends and neighbours. And as a means of thanking them for all the care and friendship they have shown us over the years, offer to assist them with whatever small task they have for. Afterwards, when night falls, there would be a large celebration where we would of course be the guests of honour. Before finishing off the day with a “secret” meeting with old man Terrin.
 
Thus we eagerly set out to get started on our tasks. Now sadly, if I were to recount every single thing we did that day, I fear this text would become to long. So I hope you will permit me if I simple point out a few of them that stick out to me. The first task we did was for the good Sheriff. She asked us to go down to the local river in order to remove several traps that had been set in order to poach rabbits. Something that was easy enough for us to do. We even had the chance to save one rabbit from a snare. Though sadly, kind-hearted Hayley was not able to fully heal the wound it had suffered. But still it was a good start for the day.
 
Secondly, we returned back to the inn. This in order to say our goodbyes to Pat Barrelwheel, the local halfling innkeeper. A man whose culinary skills were certainly a blessing for all of Tarn. We then of course waisted no time in order to assist him with setting up several tables outside, in preparation of the festivities for that evening. A task in which Alistan wasted no time in order to have a round of harmless boasting, as he stacked several tables upon one another before carrying them outside.
With that done, we made our way to the local church in order to see good old father Ellis Brightspin. After small small talk, he asked us to help him retrieve a fallen log that he had found. For you see he wanted to carve a new sculpture for the church. And decided that this log would serve perfectly for it. Now as many hands make for light work, it was thus no difficulty for us to do so. And after receiving a few health potions for our trouble, we continued onwards on our way.
 
The market house was our next major stop. Where many of our neighbours and friends were busy peddling their wares. And just for this occasion, the had prepared a most appropriate task for us. For you see, for some unknown reason, the room that was used to dump various rotten fruits and vegetables had not been cleaned for a long time. So with perhaps a slight bit of hesitation I admit, we dared the putrid stench that awaited, a stench that almost cost Ileas his lunch on numerous occasion, in order to complete this task. And I will admit, this was first of many times where I was grateful for Luke’s magic. As he removed the stench that had clung unto us like flees.
 
The next stop was Terrin’s. When we met the old veterinarian, he greeted us in his usual gruff manner and asked us to gather for him several herbs that he needed. This was fortunately easy enough to do thanks to Hayley's extensive knowledge when it comes to herbs and their whereabouts. And surprisingly, upon our return I could swear that the lines on Terrin’s face softened a bit as he handed a stone dagger and wooden staff, that were clearly lovingly handcrafted, to both Hayley and Luke respectively. Showing that even a rock like Terrin was moved by the sight of these two getting ready to venture into the world.
 
Our last task before the evening feast, brought us to chicken farm of Jeb Tofree and his friend Corckscrew the pseudodragon. Though when we arrived there, we saw no sign of either of the two. But were instead treated to the sight of several feral foxes hunting down the chickens of the farm. Foxes that we later learned were infected with rabies, which explained their aggression. We acted quickly in order to safe as many chickens as we could, even managing to capture one of the foxes alive without harming it too much. Liliana was even able to use her divine gifts in order to cure it from its rabies, allowing us to safely set it free.
 
Searching for Jeb and Corckscrew, we went inside the house, where we were shocked to find Jeb lying on the ground unconscious with a nasty bruise on his head. When he came back to his senses, he informed us that a group of Reynards, a humanoid fox like creature closely related to gnolls, were stuffing poor Corckscrew into a sack when he came home. And while he attempted to save him, he was sadly quickly overpowered and knocked out. Naturally, we realized that there was no time to waste and we quickly set out to save Corckscrew. Fortunately it was not to difficult to find their tracks and I guided my friends through the forest. When we then spotted a small campfire in the distance, Dadroz and I advised Allistan and Liliana, who were eager to rush in, to take a more cautious approach and allow us to first sneak ahead to see what we were dealing with. Thus Both myself, Dadroz and Ileas crouched forwards, while doing our very best to stay hidden. Now I will be the first to admit that both Dadroz and Ileas are perfectly capable to match me when it comes to stealth when they are in their element. Sadly at this point the forest was not their element. And it didn’t take too long for a wayward branch to snap underfoot in order to alert Reynards to our presence.
 
Now as much as I would like to say that the following battle was a trivial one, I must admit that that would be a bold faced lie. Because shit went to hell in a handbasket rather quickly when poor Ileas received an arrow in the gut rather quickly. At first it looked like his life had been cut short before our journey could even begin, but fortunately Liliana was able to get to him in time with a health potion. I was then the next to take a nasty blow, when an arrow struck me in the shoulder. A bit to close to my heart if I am completely honest. Fortunately with the combination of the twins magic and Allistan taking to the front line, we were able to rally. It even allowed Dadroz, to sneak away in order to free Corckscrew from his sack. Following this, the battle was over rather quickly. And with Corckscrew resting comfortably on Allistan’s shoulder, we returned to Tarn.
 
When we arrived, we reunited Corckscrew with Jeb and were greeted by the sight of the Sheriff. Who while happy that we were still alive and saved Corckscrew, was most disappointed in the fact that we did not sound alarm in order to call for help instead of taking things in our own hands. But seeing that all in all no real harm was done, especially following a quick visit to father Brightspin, it did not dampen the rest of the festivities.
 
The rest of the evening was filled with laughter, good company and delicious food. It is also here that I first had a proper look at lord Coline and his family. In particular our future travel companions Edward and Elsa Coline. The latter of which had a most profound impact on both Luke and Allistan. As both approached her at the same time in order to introduce themselves and ask her for the honour of having the first dance with her. An offer that she was happy to take Allistan up on. But while Luke was a bit disappointed, her mother lady Coline graciously agreed to be his partner instead. Not the result he wanted I suspect or even anticipated, but it did mean that it would sour his mood to much. And admittedly was a most amusing sight to both myself his sister and Dadroz as we waited for the arrival of Terrin in order to continue the rest of the festival.