2025 H : Holidays. #MFRWhooks

   

Next in the challenge is "H" for Holidays. Following the theme, an excerpt from the dark fantasy, Imprisoned in Stone featuring the Turn's End celebration. To set the stage, like our New Year's Eve, Turn's End is time for reflection and celebrating new beginnings. It is also a time for parties and dances. Even in the backwoods glen of the fighting wizard, Tralin, they will celebrate. 

The excerpt covers the male residents of the vale.

As part of the barn’s transformation into a grand hall, linen cloths transformed wide planks into an impromptu table. Cookies, an iced cake and bowls of candied fruit formed part of the holiday feast. Gareth had made a spicy nut bread popular with the mountain clans with flour ground from nuts collected earlier in the season. Slices of the special food surrounded a silver carafe of honey. Platters covered with cheese and several bottles of red wine comprised the rest of the refreshments.

Cascades of small, translucent globes dangled from invisible strings to form a curtain across one of the stalls. Colwynn ran a finger over one of the spheres. An ancient tune shimmered in the air. Maerva’s blood danced to the spirit melody.  

For the past week, Maerva had wondered what colors Gareth and Colwynn would be wearing, and if her dress would complement or conflict. A single glance answered what the men refused to divulge despite her questioning. Instead of their usual rough spun shirts and leather breeches, both wore finery worthy of a royal court. Colwynn had chosen a light blue long-sleeve shirt and a deep contrasting shade of the same color for his matching pants and vest. Gareth’s clothes were hues of hunter green. Even their scuffed boots shone.

~till next time, Helen 

 

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If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.