The warm-up drills helped work some of the soreness out of my limbs, which I think was part of the reason Redwar let it go on for longer than usual.  Then it was time to spar. 

Redwar paired me off with Valeria, and took Derrek to spar with himself.  Daxton went off into the woods, and we didn't see him again until we'd finished sparring.  I wondered what he was doing in there...

The drills had helped focus my mind, so I didn't take out any of my angst on Valeria.  But, on the other hand, neither of us went easy on the other.  Sweat broke out and poured freely from our brows.  My muscles were growing tired, but the rush of sparring also kept me going.  Redwar, despite working with Derrek, would also call out pointers from time to time.  

"Hit!" Valeria called as my sword, sheathed in leather, came up against the base of her neck.  I grinned and retreated.  That was my third hit, and now we were even, with three hits each.

"That's all for today," Redwar said.  

I lowered my sword and wiped my brow.  My sleeve came away damp.  

"I could see both of you were working on things that you needed to, which is exactly what this sparring is for.  You did good today, both of you." 

I nodded, breathless but happy.  That was a pretty high compliment from Redwar.

"I think," Redwar said as he looked around at all of us, "We're going to need baths before the celebration begins tomorrow."  

My gut clenched.  I'd forgotten that tomorrow was the Feast Day.  Looking over, I saw how my brother's face twisted.  When he caught me looking at him, his expression smoothed out.

I chided myself.  In my own grief, I'd forgotten that my brother would also be having a hard time.  I resolved to talk with him about it when I had the chance.

Just then, Daxton exited the woods.  Despite having been in the shade, his body too was covered in sweat, indicating that he hadn't been just loafing around underneath the trees.  That heightened my curiosity even more.  But he didn't say anything as he joined us.

Tired, and hungry, we trudged back into the town. At the square, they were building some sort of staged platform in front of the clock tower. The sounds of hammering accompanied us as we ate lunch in the tavern.

"I wonder what that's for..." Valeria murmured as she looked off in the direction of building.

I shrugged. "Maybe for some long speeches."

Redwar gazed off thoughtfully towards the platform building as well. "I wonder... I haven't seen a Life Giver priest in this town. It's unusual for a town this size."

I wrinkled my brown. Redwar was right. In a town this size, there was usually a Life Giver priest. But I had heard no mention of one.

After lunch, Redwar declared that we should go around the town and find ways to make ourselves useful. I didn't want to be useful to a Feast I didn't even want to celebrate, but that was how I located the Life Giver priest of the town.

I was wondering around, observing all that was going on, and stumbled across a rather round man who was trying to carry way too much wood for anyone to the building site of the platform. He was doing his best, but it was evident at any moment that he was going to drop one of those boards. As I came up to him, he stumbled and the pile nearly went tumbling.

"Here, let me help you carry those, sir," I volunteered, stepping up quickly and pressing my hands against the boards to steady them before they went flying all over the place.

His face was slicked with sweat, but his brown eyes twinkled as he looked across to me. We seemed to be matched in height.

"Thank you," he puffed out as he laid them down on the ground with a groan. "I'm afraid I gathered up too many in my vain pride."

I made no comment on that but divided the pile in half while he caught his breath. When I looked up, I was surprised to see the medallion hanging around his neck and the ensign stitched on his shoulders which indicated that he was a priest of the Life Giver.

"Thank you," he repeated as he gathered up his half of the boards.

I too hefted up my half. "No problem," I told him.

As we started off, he asked me, "What is your name? I don't recall ever seeing your face in this town."

"Oh, me and my friends are just passing through. My name is Ravine SwordCleaver." I hoped he wouldn't ask too many questions.

He raised an eyebrow. "Not by chance the Ravine who saved Mr. Lotcin's nephew, and who's friends also held off a taking of hostages by Megidil?"

It appeared he already knew of me. I gave one short nod of affirmation.  

"Ah, then I am in the presence of a heroine, then," he said lightly with a wink.  I could only give a pained smile back at him.  My heart was too heavy to joke. 

He didn't seemed miffed or put off by my attitude, but neither did he continue rambling on obliviously.  He stayed silent for the rest of our walk to the building site, where we deposited the boards in a pile.  

"Looks splendid, Mr. Lotcin!" He called up to Mr. Lotcin, who was the headman of the building project.

"Thank ya!" Shouted back Mr. Lotcin.  "It'll be all a ready for ya by tomorrow!"

The priest grinned back up at him and nodded his head before turning back to me. 

"Are you going to get more boards?"  I asked him.  "I'll help you if you are."  

"Why yes, I am.  Thank you," he said merrily as we turned to walk back.

I nodded again.

I worked with the merry man for an hour, and did more than just helping him haul boards.  He also assisted helping with decorations at the Town Hall, and setting up tables from which food would be served in the square.  I tagged along, helping wherever I was needed.

I found out his name to be Father Mullincay.  He said that he'd been away from his town for two months and had just returned in time for the Feast.  The people obviously adored him and were happy to have him back in time. 

I also found him to be very perceptive.  When we were done with work for a moment, he invited me to join him for a rest in the tavern.  I agreed readily; the work had tired me out and sweat was running down my brow.

We plopped ourselves down on bar stools and ordered cold water.  It was more than a little refreshing to both of us.  No one else was in the tavern with us, and for a moment we enjoyed our cool drinks in silence.

Then he set the glass down and looked across to me.  "Well, Ravine, thank you for your help today.  You've been a blessing in more than one way.  At the Feast, I'll be sure to list you in among the many blessings that I'm thankful for."  

I gave him a tight-lipped smile, my stomach twisting again at the mention of the feast and nodded once more.  He must think I'm a very quiet girl.

As I took another drink, he went on.  "In more ways than one, you've helped make this a time of joy for all of us."  

I grimaced inwardly at that.  Yes, I've helped make this a time of joy for you.  But I wouldn't even be here with you if my joy hadn't been stolen at this Feast last year.

As I looked up, planning to say something like, "Glad to do it," I was stopped his gaze.  It held some sort of compassion towards me, but what indication had I given him that I needed compassion?  I couldn't lie to that gaze.

 I looked away.  "Glad to do it." But my voice didn't sound particularly glad.

"I don't think you were, but you did it anyway."