Lover of the Queen: Feast
Lover of the Queen
Our troupe of younglings played and sang diligently as we crossed the towering wooden gates. The stone courtyard greeted everyone with icy facade, covered in green cloak, as the passage behind us slammed shut.
Torches hung from the inner walls, and candles adorned the path that led deeper into the patio. The atmosphere was majestic and welcoming, with pole tents, benches, stools, and small tables scattered throughout.
We played the last tune, and a dozen Mages formed two lines in the open area. They guided the people from Sur Nam Khaar in silence to the center, which was lit and decorated with rich flowers. Even some that couldn’t grow at that time of year presented their beauty.
A warm smell of food filled the air, though we didn’t see any stoves or campfires.
“For the love of the Goddess, a scent that good should be a sin. I’m starving.”
Mayowa whispered beside me, his stomach growling like a lion.
“This is too tempting. The women don’t seem as the tales portray them. They’ll surely invite us to eat soon.” Dinesh shook his tambourine, a playful attempt to raise spirits.
The men sat and murmured about what would happen next. Now, we were out of our parents’ reach, perhaps beyond what we could imagine. Meanwhile, the Lostany moved quickly and positioned themselves before the excited crowd.
“Tell your belly to keep quiet; something important is about to happen.” I slapped Mayowa’s arm and made him fake a whimper.
Once all the girls were placed, the one with pink hair and delicate antlers spoke.
“The Enchanted Ones salute you all. We are Lossar’s envoys, entrusted with protecting, caring for, and healing the land since the Great Cataclysm — we are guardians, warriors, and priestesses. But tonight, remember we are also mere mortals, bound to Her will. Please relish one more song before we continue the festivities.”
They formed a semicircle, picked their instruments, and the music started once more. Four of them danced in the middle of the formation, including the Rainbow Mage and the one with short black locks.
Magic stirs not only in the vast display.
Of nature’s pulse—its rivers, beasts, and bloom.
It slips into your dreams; it lures you on the way.
It soothes your wounds and fills the quiet gloom.
Like pieces of an intricate puzzle, each dancer’s step connected flawlessly to the next one. To our surprise, during a swift hand movement, a thousand candles emerged from the darkness and flew into the night sky. Big chandeliers appeared without warning above our heads.
Our worries fade—released to mist and air.
New charms arise, the Great Mother’s gentle snare.
Join our dance, witness moonlit steps ignite,
At Solstice’s peak, lose track of wrong and right.
Let old roots fall—begin your fresh delight.
And savor the fruits our sacred bond invites.
Whispers of awe echoed through the patio. It was as if the stars had gifted us their light, making that moment even more remarkable. My smile widened as I confirmed that the fair beauty that swayed my heart was not only a talented artist but also a skilled sorceress.
Power, pleasure, laughter, strength divine—
Our magic’s hymn calls softly through the pine.
We, the Enchanted, allow our secrets shine.
We summon you—step close, and cross the line.
The dancers twirled in front of the other women who were playing; kneeled, and lowered their hands to their ankles. As the drums took the lead and intensified, their arms moved like snakes sliding across the ground, palms up, rising toward the sky. One by one, the instruments left their owners’ grips and swung in the air, as if they joined the choreography, yet delivered perfect tunes.
Healing, fortune, wisdom born of time—
Our gifts awake; their whispers rise in rhyme.
Now is the moment—shed your grasp, unwind,
And savor the night where every joy is kind.
I was convinced most young Khaarians believed it was real because it happened right before their eyes. Cheers and claps filled the courtyard as the song came to its end. The Mages bowed in thanks. As we stood up, they swiftly carried four sturdy wooden tables to the patio, covered with delicacies, and over a dozen barrels with beverages, which they immediately started pouring into our mugs.
“Come all!” The woman who caught my blond friend’s attention urged. “Enjoy the feast we prepared and fill your bellies. Tonight will be long, so you can fancy as much dancing, gaming, chatting, and flirting as you like. Cheers!”
I sighed with relief. From that moment on, it was no longer a sin to speak to the young Lostany. As the cups rose and clashed in a gentle toast, the music resumed, the instruments playing on their own. Soon after, groups of boys and girls filled the courtyard with lively conversation.
I grabbed a handful of grapes and wandered, scanning the place for a glimpse of her beautiful hairstyle or dark skin.
“Why are you acting so aloof when you should be out there showing your skills, Alessio?” Mayowa rushed his words, munching on a chicken leg.
“I-I was scouting for a Mage of my liking.” My cheeks reddened and grew a little warm.
My friends exchanged looks and frowned.
“By the Goddess’s grace, how naïve do you think we are? We were right there. Did you really forget how we watched you freeze the moment that woman with the colored hair took your flute, played it, and left you so dazzled you could barely remember how to walk straight?”
Dinesh was sharp as an arrow. Even tipsy, I still felt my shyness tug at me.
“I’m sorry, okay? It’s just… I know she bound me by a powerful spell, but I lack the courage to act first.”
“Do you expect to stand here and count solely on your offerings, my dear? You’d better move, or things will get complicated.” Dinesh fixed my gown and my kilt.
“Why do you say that?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Well, if you got the competition we believe you do, it’s a good idea to start both moving and praying. Now go!”
Mayowa turned me in the direction he was gazing and gave me a push. Under one of the pole tents, the short woman laughed as she talked to Khenan. His sharp emerald eyes enhanced his mysterious aura, which made him look twice as handsome as any of us poor young Khaarians.
I forced down a hard swallow, and a foul taste filled my mouth. I kept moving towards them, stomping the ground, my sight hazy. My body weaved around people in that in-between space, as if they were objects, obstacles blocking the path between me and what I feared losing. With so many choices, why her?
My good fellows tagged along and followed from a short distance. They must have been worried, since they had never seen me in such a distressed state. As I got closer, the scene cleared.
Fredric was there too, sitting beside his beloved. Two other Mages I had noticed before, one with her hair tied in a knot and the woman with soft brown locks, braided his blond mane with such mastery I could barely see their hands moving. He stared into nowhere, his jaw clenched as he ground his teeth. It was clear his discomfort matched mine.
“Excuse me.” I stepped into the tent.
Khenan and the Mage looked at me. I gazed into that deep pair of onyx stones, which seemed to pull me toward that woman, like an inescapable force of nature.
“Alessio.” His low, resonating voice greeted me. “What a lovely surprise. Did you come to join our group?”
My chest burned, the tip of my tongue numb, as I tried to choose the right words. My brain twisted, brooding around the idea that my actions turned me into a nuisance during the Solstice, but not as much as I feared not being able to enjoy her company.
“I didn’t. But I must apologize beforehand because I interrupted your conversation.” I replied. “I came for you, Enchanted One.”
His eyebrow arched at what I said. Her beautiful face lit up, and her upper lip twitched as I spoke.
“Please, precious jewel, give your humble servant the honor of hearing the voice of the fairest of the Mages he has seen tonight.”
My compatriot’s eyes slid to her. The Lostany’s round eyes grew smaller, and her grin wider, a clear sign of delight.
“We are all done, young lad,” announced the green-haired girl.
“Thanks.” He growled and stood up, eager to leave.
“Now it’s time to play ball, then!” The person whose locks brushed her shoulder giggled with satisfaction. “I hope you are ready for a fierce match!”
Khenan chuckled.
“I’ll be counting on you, my beloved Fredric, to stand beside me once more. Let’s live this remarkable evening to its fullest, where our most profound dreams can come true.”
The brawling man stared at the other in sheer surprise, his eyes gleaming, and a new smile crossed his face. They nodded to the Rainbow Mage in respect and marched outside with the girls.
“Keep your head up high, brother. Storms are fearsome, but there’s a reward when they are over. The sun will rise, and we’ll see the beauty of a rainbow afterward.” The towering man whispered in my ear as he sauntered past me.
There I stood, chest out as I shivered, admiring the woman before me. She didn’t blink as her gaze swept over my body. Goosebumps rose along my skin, my legs trembling. Who would have imagined that the shyest boy in the village would be able to finally stand for what he desired? Half a minute slipped by, an eternity of silence, until those red lips finally offered their inestimable treasure.
“Very well.” She said in a firm tone. “Why don’t you call your loyal friends, who accompanied you here? My sisters want to get to know them better. That will make our meeting even more lively, right, Alessio?”
My heart melted like snow under the first spring sun. In her silence, she had me utterly rendered, caught beneath a quiet spell. In her voice, I was so enchanted I could have spent a lifetime just listening.
Editor: Lucy Cafiero
