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It's finally morning, and we've got a very interesting day ahead of us! Indeed, me and Cynv have decided to spend the day at the End of the World Festival! It's the perfect opportunity to take a break from our travels and have a bit of fun with all the festivities and activities the festival has to offer! What's more it that I loved this festival when I was young and Cynv has never been. It's the perfect opportunity to show her the biggest event in the kingdom while getting back to nostalgia!
The End of the World Festival is one of the biggest in all the lands. It lasts at least 3 days, sometimes 4 with lots of activity, but in our case. We arrived too late to enjoy the first two days. Leaving only the last day to enjoy the festivities. Which isn't too bad, because this day is already packed with activities to keep us both entertained without any difficulty. I'm sure we'll both find something to enjoy!
As far as activities go, if I can remember correctly. There's hunting and fishing to prepare for the buffet. These have always been among the most popular. There were also a few attractions like the haunted house and various tales and legends told on stage. It was one of my favourites when I was young. You can also go horse-riding or, for the more extreme, jousting. There are also games like Blind Man Bluff and the classic game of chess. For those who want to show off their physical prowess, there are also games of skill such as archery, duelling and hammer throwing. All this and more! I can't remember exactly what all the activities are, not to mention the fact that they change every year Oh, and I almost forgot. There's also the buffet and the final show. Probably the part most appreciated by the participants.
For our day, we didn't really know where to start. There was the hunting that Cynv wanted to do, but that's only in the afternoon. It's fishing at the beginning of the day and she wasn't really interested in fishing yet. She also wanted to do some jousting, but the event doesn't lend out the equipment and we don't have anything to protect her in such a duel, so trying it would have been suicide, so we gave up. After some negotiation, we finally decided to start with Woodrow's Haunted Farm. This is an attraction with a more horror theme to reflect the many legends of horrific creatures in the captital ruins. Cyn was initially resistant to going. She thought it was childish and she's probably right given all the things we encounter on our travels, but nostalgia is stronger than anything, so I convinced her to come with me to this attraction in exchange for my share of desert from tonight's buffet.
However, as I don't have the time to write everything down, Cynv expected me at the buffet . I'll let my pen write what happened during this event. I'll write the rest when I get back!
Joining a small group of three others, Vix and Cynvia entered the old dilapidated farmhouse. This stone building never had any major repairs. The walls were full of holes, the stone had become mouldy and the roof was completely missing. Allowing the sun's rays to penetrate the few walls still standing.
In the middle of the main room stood a young weasel wearing farmer's clothes with holes in them. Leaning against a wooden cane, he greeted the group as they entered
Ahh, my dear friends! You've finaly arrived!
he said, trying awkwardly to sound like an elderly person.
I hope you're going to be able to help me through this bad patch I'm in. You see, my wife went down into the cellar two days ago to bring up some wine. She hasn't been back since and I can't seem to find her. My cellar is huge and very labyrinthine. I'm afraid she's hurt herself and needs help. Could you join me in this search?
The little group look at each other, unsure of what's to do, while Cynvia whispers to Vix
What kind of stupid story is that? You'd have to be an idiot not to see the trap.
The weasel looked at her, having misunderstood what she had just said.
Oh dear vixen, you say?
As she was about to repeat more loudly, Vix cut her off just before she spoke.
Oh my poor friend! Of course we're going to help someone in such a bad way! Show us the entrance to this labyrinthine cellar and I'm sure the six of us will find your wife in no time!
The rest of the group nodded in agreement, while Cynvia let a small sigh escape her lips and put a slight smile on her face. The weasel spoke again to answer the fox.
Ah my dear friend, I'm so glad! Although I'm afraid of the worst, I can't leave her to rot like this. Please follow me.
Said the weasel before leaving, haggling with difficulty using his walking stick, towards the room behind him. This room seemed to contain the only piece of furniture in the house, the frame of a bed. When the whole group had entered the room. The weasel resumed his speech.
The entrance to my cellar is under my bed. I hide it to prevent bad thieves from stealing my possessions, but you, my friends, I know I can trust you and that you would never do anything like that.
Just then, Cynvia nudged Vix, drawing his attention to her as she mimicked the action of writing in a book, once again flashing an amused smile. In turn, the fox did the same, also letting out a little laugh. Meanwhile, the weasel had put down his walking stick and pushed the bed out of the way, revealing a hole beneath it and a ladder that is descending deep beneath the dwelling. It's at that moment the weasel turned around, walking normally, to pick up his walking stick before leaning on it.
Showing himself to be the leader of the group, the fox spoke again, taking a few steps to get ahead of the rest of the visitors to the attraction.
Well my dear friend, this is an excellent hiding place! No thief could find this well-hidden entrance. Now that we know where the entrance is, we're off to save your sweet heart!
He approaches the hole, followed by the rest of the group. Cynvia leads the way. When he sees her, he gives her a broad smile and says
Oh my lovely lady, you should go first!
She giggles and approaches him, pretending to want to climb down the ladder, but at the last moment. She turns to the fox and pushes him slightly towards the hole. She finished off by saying with a smile.
So what are you waiting for?
Surprised, he toppled backwards slightly, but was soon able to stabilise due to the low impact. Seeing the vixen's game, he chuckled as he looked at her, repeating:
As I was saying, ladies first.
I swear. You have no courage
She said, amused, before starting down the long ladder that led into the dark cellar beneath the house. Watching her descend, he waited until she was at the bottom before signalling to the other 3 people in the group that it was their turn to go down. As the little family descended, the weasel spoke.
Oh, my dear friends, I almost forgot. Take care down there. I sometimes hear dismal sounds coming from my basement! You mustn't let anything bad happen to you either! I could never forgive myself!
Dear friend, don't worry about us. We're professionals after all!
He said before the weasel wished him good luck. He then finally joined the rest of the group in the very dark cellar.
Well well well, what have we here?
He said, finally touching the cold cellar floor.
A dark cellar... oh and a skull too
said the vixen as she lifted the heavy, unrealistic skull, obviously carved from stone.
made in...
She was about to continue before Vix interrupted her
Oh! What on earth is that! A corpse! What a situation we're in!
She giggled as she placed the heavy skull on the floor, while the little family smiled at the game, their child a little fearful in this dark cellar, snuggled up to her mother.
Well, we have no choice but to continue, dear companion! We have a mission to accomplish after all!
He said as he led the way down the cellar's long, repetitive corridors. The group moved on in silence for a long time. The sound of chains and shouting could be heard echoing through the cellar. Accompanied by the sound of water droplets and wind. Combined with the total darkness, this was beginning to make the family a little worried. The basement was clearly a labyrinth and it was very hard to find your way around, but after what seemed like several minutes, they finally saw a slightly lit room.
Ah, light at last, dear companion! Maybe there is the nice farmer's wife in there!
Kind? Ah... Ah... very funny. He looks like a real psychopath to me, that idiot farmer, I'd already have him...
she said as she entered the room. It was at this moment that a hooded person leapt from behind the door, wooden dagger in hand, in front of the vixen who, completely surprised, gave him a powerful punch directly on the muzzle. He fell on his backside in his own surprise. The fake weapon sliding across the floor further into the room. The fox, who was a step behind her, couldn't help laughing as he watched the scene unfold before his eyes. The family behind him, totally speechless
Ouch! Why did you hit me!
Said the male voice that sounded strangely like the farmer to the vixen.
Because you surprised me, you idiot!
Just surprised? Oh come on Cynv, admit that you were scared!
She crosses her arms and looks at the fox
Not a chance, I was just defending myself.
Defended against a wooden knife?
said the fox, still laughingas he went to see the man in disguise. Stopping in front of him, he cleared his throat to force him to stop laughing. Resuming in a more normal voice.
Obviously we've beaten you, you little cultist of misfortune! Now tell us where the farmer's wife is!
Obviously not feeling up to his role, he just pointed to the table at the back of the room. An actress dressed as a farmer's wife lay there. A red substance covered her belly and foul-smelling entrails were alsdo attached, indicating that her belly had been cut open and the entrails taken out. The fox approached the lady.
Ah, I think we're too late for her... How unfortunate.
But when he got close enough, the actress sat up and let out a huge and powerfull scream. It wasn't natural and probably came from an instrument that seemed to be under the table, but the enormous scream echoing through the corridors frightened the family into fleeing. Vix and Cynvia, for their part, didn't move. Both looked at the actress, waiting for the next part of the show to be over, but nothing happened. In return, she looked at them in surprise, also waiting for a reaction from them and it was at this moment that the fox realised that he was supposed to be afraid. He finally understood and stepped back, pretending to be afraid of the situation.
Ah, what a filthy creature! We must leave and quickly!
He then set off towards the exit, but Cynvia still didn't understand. She watched him pass by her, raising an eyebrow, then looked at the actress before shrugging her shoulders and leaving to join the fox who had already left the room.
As they left the room, the two of them saw light further on. The family had arrived at a trapdoor and opened it. Letting the sunlight in. The two stragglers slowly made their way to their compatriot as a young mouse stood by in rusty armor.
Ah, we were just looking for you. Tell me, where have you been all this time?
This time, the fox didn't have time to explain before the father of the family spoke up and explained their meeting in the cellar and the old man, the guard replied.
Oh, you speak of Mr Woodrow, but he and his wife were murdered many years ago now! You must simply be delirious from the heat... Go and get some water and avoid going to places you don't know!
Said the guard as he pointed to a stand further on, displaying a variety of beverages. The family went there, talking about their experience while the two foxes, not interested in the drinks. Leave their side. Still laughing at their interaction in the attraction
After this activity, it was finally time to take part in the hunting activity. I thought it was a good opportunity for continuing her training in hunting.. She's already good and a quick learner, but she's really going to have to learn to be patient. Hunting is really a game of patience, you can't just charge at the deer, you have to approach slowly, against the wind, with your shadow behinf you. That sort of thing. Right from the start, she's always had a bit of trouble with that, she gets too impatient and shoots too fast, without bracing the bow as much as possible. The arrow doesn't have time to get there before the deer has moved. Sometimes she hits, but rarely a critical or fatal spot, but hey. It doesn't matter, she still has plenty of time to learn.
Besides, this time. She managed a good hunt. It took her a few tries, but she managed to pick up some good game that we left to the organisers. They use it for the buffet and, in exchange, we don't have to pay for the arrows or the bow.
After the hunt, while waiting for the buffet to be ready. We decided to visit the street vendors. It's practically an attraction in itself, given the sheer number of them present at the event. In this kind of place, you can find food from all over the world, weapons, armor, jewellery, books and so many other things. A tour of this kind of place takes a few hours. So it was the perfect place to kill time.
This time, however, we didn't find much of interest. Several shelves were empty. Not surprising, it was the end of the last day after all. So there wasn't much choice of interesting object. Despite this, we decided to each buy something during our visit, to have at least one souvenir. These were painted wooden masks, one for me and one for Cynv, sold by a furry humanoid dragoness. It's a rather exotic species that comes from the desert. The only time I've ever seen one, it was always in a place like this. Selling various desert products, but I imagine there are more of them in their native country.
As for the masks, she still had plenty to choose from, which can be explained by the fact that each mask costs one gold coin. Which is too expensive to pay and not necessarily accessible to everyone. On the other hand, I have to admit that money isn't really an issue at the moment and that I was a bit swayed by her little magic show. Whereas a lot of merchants just try to give you fifty reasons to buy their product, she used her magic to animate the masks and put on a little show with them. Just that was worth a few coins, so paying more for the masks didn't seem too bad. Also, there's a bit of nostalgia in there. The masks, the show, it reminded me of my childhood when I came here. My mum bought me and my sister a mask so we could play together for the rest of the evening.
So I decided to buy one for me and Cynv. Of course, she didn't want to put it on. Finding it stupid, but I managed to convince her by telling her that after her ... action in the horror farm. It would be better if she hid herself. So she decided to get into the game and finally resolved to put it on. We also kept it until the buffet.
After that, it was finally time for the first part of the buffet, which was the appetizer, consisting of bread and dried meat. Then, a few minutes before the show. they starts to put on the big food. Meat, fish, pies and alcoholic drinks. It is during this time that the show start. People can eat and drink almost as much as they want while watching the show. Finally, after the actors have finished their work, it's time for the desserts. This is when the actors finally join the audience to talk and eat with us. This went on until the early hours of the morning.
Although we didn't stay very late, we were able to enjoy the show and the desserts. Anyway, Cynv would never have wanted to leave without eating them. Which I'm not against either. A bit of sweet food always makes the heart happier and we still have a long way to go.
Hopefully we'll be able to come back next year and try some new activities, maybe a tour of the alcohol stand might be nice. There was no alcohol in Cynv's home village, so she didn't drink it often. It could be a good opportunity to get her to taste different kinds from all over the world!
Category Artwork (Digital) / Fantasy
Species Dragon (Other)
Size 720 x 1280px
File Size 1.08 MB
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