In the final hours before the Feast officially started, the town was a flurry of harried final preparations.  After my bath and a quick breakfast, I was recruited to help the women put the finishing touches on the food.  I ran around various houses, helping in whatever way was needed, from seasoning roasts to keeping babies from getting underfoot. 

It felt good to be involved with people that I had helped.  It was not my family, it was not my village, but it was good.  It was my rebellion against Corban, Megidil, and their kind to enjoy this day.

Still, Bound stayed strapped onto me.  Not just in case something should happen, but because it was a way from me to keep my parents in remembrance this day.  When the sheathed blade would brush my leg, it reminded me that I was still on a mission for my parents.  But this day, this celebration, was a part of that mission as well.

Finally, it was time.  In the mid afternoon, the town gathered together in the square.  It was pushed to its limits to contain all the people of the town, as well as farmers who had come in from the surrounding land.  Many chairs had been placed as thick as they could be squeezed in.  Mr. Lotcin and his brothers had insisted that Redwar and the rest of us have front row seats. 

The platform, which I had helped build, was where the commencement of the Feast began.  At precisely 3:30 that afternoon, everyone was in their places.

I myself was curious to see how the Feast was conducted here in Time's Tale.  This town had already proven to be unique, and seeing as how each town had different ways of celebrating the Feasts, I was curious about what it would be like.

Daxton, who sat between Redwar and Derrek, looked the most uncomfortable I'd ever seen him.  He was cleaned up nicely, with his unruly hair combed back, and actually didn't look too bad.  His clothes were ones I'd never seen him where before.  But the sour look on his face marred all of it.  Yet behind his mask of unwillingness, I detected a hint of unsureness in his eyes.  It suddenly occured to me that, as a Ravager, he'd probably never attended on of these Feast before, except maybe for spying purposes. 

Now these thoughts were making me uncomfortable.  I banished them with a firm shake of my chin.  No, we weren't going there today.  I'd gone there enough times already.

Bong!  Bong!  The tolling of the bells caused me to jump in my seat.  At their sound, the people rose to their feet as one, and I hurried to follow suit.  The bell tolled five more times as we stood solemnly.

As they did, Father Mullincay slowly made his way up the platform in front of us.  To his right was Mr. Lotcin, and to his left his brother, Joel.  I knew those positions were ordinally filled by the town Mayor and Sheriff, but thought that the two Lotcin brothers were a perfect fill in.

As the bells finished tolling, they faced the crowd.  Father Mullincay gestured with his hands for to remain standing, then he cleared his throat.

"Time's Tale, we gather here to celebrate the beginning of the Feast of Thanksgiving to the Life-Giver.  This year, we have much to be thankful for.  I will spare you a long speech and keep this commencement ceremony as short as possible, as I know we're all eager to devour the meal prepared for us!"  He said the last part with a wide smile and I chuckled with the crowd. 

He motioned for the two Lotcin brothers to step forward, then he stepped back behind them.  Joel held a book in his hands, and he opened it to a marked place in front of his brother.  Eager to hear the familiar words,  I leaned slightly forward.

To my surprise, Mr. Lotcin didn't just speak the words, he sang them.  He had a deep, rich and expressive voice that lent life to the well known words.  

"Oh Life-Giver, the One who sustains

We thank you this day

We praise you this day

For You have done as Your Name says

Giving Life this day to us

And providing for life yet more." 

The crowd repeated the verses along with him this time, and they too sang out.  Enjoying the change from the usual way of simply speaking the words out.

Mr. Lotcin sang two more verses, and we repeated them with him a second time after he sang the first time.  Then his brother closed the book and they took seats on the platform.

Father Mullincay came up in front and opened another book.  "Here, my people, the Word of the Life-Giver."  He motioned for us to sit and then commenced to reading.

The passage he read was short and familiar to me.  I breathed deeply as the words washed over.  This was not my home, and I was not with family, but it comforted me to hear these words read aloud as was traditionally done.  Last year, I'd been with my family, not knowing what would befall us.  If I had, maybe I would've treasured the service more instead of enduring it to get to the feasting and dancing.

Father Mullincay finished up and stepped back again.  The two brothers came forward and the crowd automatically rose.  It was time for another round of singing.

This song was a different one that I had never heard before.  It was lyrical, not quite as heavy as others, and I sang along with a smile.  Yes, this was not my home, and not my family, but these were my people and my land, and I rejoiced to be among them.

The pattern of singing and reading was repeated twice more.  After the last passage was read, Father Mullincay handed the Word of the Life-Giver back to Joel and turned to face us.

"My people, let us take a few moments to think of what we're grateful for this Feast Day, and to hold it up before the Life-Giver with thanksgiving, as the day calls for." 

I closed my eyes.  It was not hard for me to think of what I was thankful for.  Valeria and Redwar for being there for me when I needed them, even Daxton for leading me to my brother, and of course the fact that I had found my brother.  I reached over to clasp Derrek's hand and squeeze it as tears prickled in my eyes.  Derrek squeezed back in understanding.

I felt another hand brush mine and looked to my other side.  Valeria held out hers' with a smile.  I grinned back and clasped it as well.  It warmed my heart to know she was thankful for me as I was for her.

I looked back up the platform as Father Mullincay spoke.  

"I will speak of what I am thankful for this day, and I may call on some of you to speak as well."  His eyes twinkled merrily.  

I raised my eyebrows.  I'd never heard of this happening in a Feast of Thanksgiving service.  Usually a closing prayer happened next.

"I am thankful that the Life-Giver did not allow this town to be taken over by cruel men.  I am thankful that He prevented the abducting of our women and children by bandits to be used as hostages.  I am thankful that these five-"  And here his eyes landed on us.  "Were here to help us in our time of need, and chose to make our problem theirs' as well." 

My cheeks warmed as I smiled shyly and looked at the ground as the sound of clapping rose and some shouts of appreciation.  

Father Mullincay turned to look behind at Mr. Lotcin.  "Mr. Lotcin, I am also grateful for you and your brothers' strong leadership during this time.  And you, what are you thankful for?"

Mr. Lotcin looked disconcerted for a moment.  But then his eyes landed on my group and he grinned.  "I'm thankful for these strangers as well, but especially for the sword maiden, Ravine SwordCleaver, who stepped into defend my sister an' nephew."  

My brow furrowed for a moment.  I had told no one that I had been summoned by the King, or what he had called me in his summons.  Did Mr. Lotcin know?  Did one of the others tell him?  Or was he just calling me that?  

But I wasn't given much time to think over this before Father Mullincay turned and pinned me with his gaze. 

"And you, sword maiden, what are you thankful the Life Giver for?"