undecided endings part 4

     The town of Dirwing was large by most standards.  The fields alone that skirted it reached for miles in every direction.  Huge tracts of land filled with produce of every kind stretched as far as the eye could see.  It was no surprise that the harvest was so celebrated.  It was because of it that the town could be called one of the wealthiest in the western realm.   People came from miles around to be a part of the festivities and join in the bounty of the harvest.
     We entered the bustling town in the late afternoon just as the street side lanterns were being lit.  The outer edges of the city were vacant, but even from the outskirts the chaos in the center could be heard.   Brightly colored ribbons hung from windows and flowers decorated doorways of shops and hovels that we passed.  Red streamers crisscrossed overhead on the rooftops, making the very buildings seem to be a part of the celebration.
      As we neared the manor house and the great town square the streets became more and more crowded.  The smell of fresh-baked bread wafted through the air and several large hogs roasted over open fire pits as well as a few deer and two large cattle.  People pushed and shoved their way past as vendors shouted above the din from their booths that lined the cobbled square, selling everything from charmed jewelry to exotic creatures I had never seen before.  Other entertainers were already in the center of the square by a large fountain performing for all those who would stop to watch.
     We pressed through the crowd, closer and closer toward the manor house.
     "Where are we going?" Rowan asked Adela.
     "I need to find a friend of mine, he lives near the house and should be able to tell us the plan for the festivities."
     As we pushed on through the crowd I caught a glimpse of the other entertainers.  A man dressed in red and black juggled fire, two others tumbled and twirled, did cartwheels and flips with ease.  A small group assembled at the base of the fountain had gathered with a fiddle, flute, and drum and practiced quietly.
     We neared the house and the crowd grew thinner, making it much easier to keep up with Adela.  Before we reached the linen-covered tables that were lined up before the main entrance, a tall man dressed in deep green rushed over to Adela, a wide smile on his face and his arms outstretched in welcome.
     "Oh, you have come!  I was hoping to see your face before this night was through.  The festival could only be complete if you graced us with your presence."
     "Joshua," she said gracefully, as the man kissed her hand, "you're too kind."
     "What brings you to our humble town once more?" he asked.
     "We have come to enjoy the festival and see what excitement it brings."
     "Well, you are certainly in the right place.  The harvest was rich this year and the square is full of things to see and do.  We have entertainers of every kind.  You will sing for us, no?" he inquired, a pleading look on his face.
     "If there is time and a call for it, I will sing," Adela said, bringing another large smile to the man's face.
     "Splendid," he said, beaming from ear to ear.  "And who are your friends?" he asked, gesturing to Rowan and me.
     "Joshua, this is Rowan, my good friend and a great master of illusion," she said as Rowan bowed politely to the man.
     "Master of illusion?" the man said, clearly intrigued, "I dare say your skills would be met with much enthusiasm.  It would be an honor if you would perform for us, to be sure.  Well man, what say you?"
Rowan nodded his consent.  
     "And this," Adela said, gesturing to me, "is our travelling companion, Ciara."  
     "A pleasure, I'm sure," he said, and I felt my face turn red as the man kissed my hand and pressed it to his forehead.  I looked to my friends for support, but Adela merely looked amused, and Rowan was trying not to laugh.
     "And now," the man said, finally releasing my hand, "if you would come with me, I will explain the plans for the festival and we will see how to fit you in."
     "Again, you're too kind," Adela said, "however, I fear my friends are rather anxious to see the many splendid things your festival has to offer, so they will not be joining us."
     The green-clad man nodded politely and Adela tossed a small coin purse to Rowan.
     "We meet by the fountain when the trumpet sounds," she said, "Don't get into too much trouble."
     And so we set off through the crowds, Rowan in the lead and me trailing behind him, trying to keep up.
     "What do you want to see?" he asked.
     "Anything," I said with a grin, "everything."
     So we approached the booths to see what the vendors had to sell.  The first booth we went to was filled with fine jewelry, studded with gems of all kinds.  The bright stones caught the rays of the sun and sent dancing rainbows all over the table.  I could see Rowan's hands twitch and I knew how easily he could swipe a necklace and be gone before the large man behind the counter had noticed it was gone.  I laughed and pulled my friend away from the temptation.
     "Adela said no trouble, remember?"
     The next booth was filled with cloths of every kind and color and texture.  Some had intricate patterns woven into them, and all were very expensive.  The next vendor sold walking sticks and canes, each covered with intricate carvings and paintings.  One looked like a ram's head, another like a claw, and yet another with a flower blooming from the top.
     We moved on and saw people selling animals of every kind.  An old woman with a booth full of "magical" items tried to sell Rowan a dragon tooth for protection, but he turned it down.  We pressed on, watching and listening to everything around us.  When we chanced upon a booth selling fine weaponry, Rowan became so intrigued I began to wonder if we would be late in meeting Adela.  He asked the vendor about how the goods were made, tested the weight of bows, measured the balance of swords, and checked the sharpness of blades.  Meanwhile, I watched the crowd around me, intrigued by the variety of people who roamed the streets.   Peasants, serfs, artisans, and the occasional noble or knight pushed past me.
     I gazed on in wonder until a flash of light caught my eye.  I saw something roll amid the feet of the people surrounding me and around the corner of a nearby hut.  I started to follow and find out what I had seen, but remembered Rowan and glanced behind me.  He was still talking with the weapons vendor and would hardly miss me for a few moments, so I slipped around the corner of the building and almost ran right into the man who was standing there.
     The man was tall and had an air of nobility around him.  In his hands he had a glass orb, which he spun and rolled in his hands in such a way I had never seen before.  I watched it for several minutes, unable to look away as the spinning, swirling glass caught the light from nearby torches and sent sparkles dancing.  Eventually I managed to pull my gaze away and find my voice.
     "What is it?" I asked, looking up at the man.
     "It's a crystal," he replied, "Nothing more. But if you turn it this way and look into it, it will show you your dreams."
     I was about to reply when I felt a strong grip on my arm.
     "Ciara, what are you doing?"
     I turned and saw Rowan behind me, a deep hatred in his eyes that he directed at the tall man with the glass orb.  I began to explain what had happened, but he cut me off.
     "Rowan, I-"
     "Come," he said, glaring hard at the man behind me, "you are not to see that man again, do you understand?"
     As he spoke he pulled me away and into the crowd again, heading toward the fountain where we to meet Adela.
     "But-" I started.
     He stopped dead in his tracks and turned on me, "I said, do you understand?" he demanded, looking me right in the eye.
     "Yes, I understand," I said, "But why?"
     "Because I said so," was his only response.  I wanted to press the issue.  I wanted to ask questions and make him tell me why, but just as I opened my mouth to object once more, a trumpet sounded and he began to walk faster.  I had to almost run to keep up in the crowd.