Mye’enay and Druen’elle Fair

Year: 2,734. Month: Harvestmoon. Day: 15th Darkday. Time: morning

Location: Cilphen

The excitement in the air was palpable. Some students could be seen handing out pamphlets on various items either related to the market or for the beginning of term. Others acted as guides to various people or tended to the stores and other shops that sold various wares, from food to mage equipments, even armor and-magic items could be found. The weather was ideal and the streets of Cilphen were filled with life. The sky was clear and blue and it was warm enough not to need a jacket. Ti'iva was approaching and it lifted the spirits of the residents and visitors of Cephiead As they enjoyed the last day of the Druen'elle Fair.

Druen'elle is a major event for not only the students of Cephiead Academy but also the residents of Cilphen. For the students it was one of the few occasions they showed off their skills to the world and for residents it was a time to show off Cilphen as the island is usually closed off to the public and visitors. Druen'elle is one of the few occasions when the academy opened its doors to the outside.

Druen'elle last for a total of five days, the last day being the most memorable for two distinct reasons. The first reason was that on the last day of the fair was always on the last day of Menya , summer. Mye'enay. It heralded the beginning of Desrya and was the last official day of holidays before the new academic year. In the morning the Mye'enay Market was held mainly at Coins district and Wands district. The Coin District is where the majority of any merchant based stores are held. The Wands District holds a large portion of the Academy's guilds headquarters. The more famous ones like the Enchanters, the Forgers and the Alchemists bordered the Coin District. The Mye'enay Market allows the students to expose and sell their wares. The students of Cephiead were renown for their talents and their wares attracted customers from all over the world. Despite being part of the Eternal Empire of Leivathan, Cephiead was a semi-independent state. It's economy was not tied to the mainland and after the academy declared its semi-independence the Imperial and Royal families of Cephiead no longer automatically funded it. There was of course the Imperial Princes or Royal Princes that did fund it over the year but the bulk of Cephiead's economy rest on trading with the mainland and the world around it. Mye'enay Market was such event that gathered the world at its doorsteps and brought in over 7million gold. And that was simply form the sales from the Market.

The final reason was the one and only Druen'elle surprise game. This was created by University President Aristi'ide Derthone 30 years ago. And ever since the student council held a game every year. This game was always held in the afternoon of the last day of Mye'enay. The game differed year to year and unless you were part of the team that took part of the preparation of said games. This was what made it so interesting as the game was that it took place all over campus. Last year it had been a treasure hunt and the year before a massive tag game. Each game always had unique and interesting prices for both the winners and participants. For the academy the game brought in another 3-5million gold depending on its success. Anyone could participate to the Surprise Event, making it gather a large international fame. So much that in the recent years there had to be a cap on the number of participants allowed.

Year: 2,734. Month: Harvestmoon. Day: 15th Darkday. Time: afternoon.

Location: Marketplace

A blonde girl strolled about in the the Market, idly browsing the goods offered by the different stalls. She stopped in-front of a food stall and bought two sandwiches.

- Cosmo, you're late –

She addressed the person behind her as she took the food handed to her. Turning she raised an eyebrow to the sheepish looking boy.

- Sorry Madei'la, the meeting just went on and on… and I didn't even have the time to change out of my uniform. -

He sighed and ran a hand in the honey hair. True he was still in the white and gold uniform of the Student Council. Madei'la briefly cringed.

- Sorry?-

Cosmo rolled his eyes.

- Sorry you dumped your workload on me to enjoy Mye'enay? Yeah you should be sorry. – He grouched.

- I got you food? – Madei'la handed him a sandwich as food offering.

- Ha ha ha. Lets go. We are late and we need to change. –

- So that means you don't want the sandwich?-

Cosmo shot Madei'la an evil look, grabbed both sandwiches and started to head to the tramway. Madei'la laughed as she followed after him. She looked up to the sky. The weather was really ideal for this year's surprise event.

Year: 2,734 s.a. Month: Harvestmoon. Day: 15th Darkday. Time: Afternoon.

Location: 20 km outside Cilphen

Sperado sighed for the umpteenth time and rubbed his face. He took a fortifying breath and turned to face the poor sod that had been send to deliver the bad news.

" don't kill the messenger, it's not their fault. Don't kill the messenger." Was the mantra he repeated in his head over and over again.

— Se… Senator Spera..do, uhm, you see see Se Senator Novaris. - the poor fool stuttered.

Sperado took another fortifying breath and smiled at his fellow council member.

— Take a deep breath, hold it for 5 seconds , exhale and repeat a few times. — he instructed the young man.

The young man followed the instructions and calmed his rampaging heart all the while cursing the Gods for his misfortune.

— Vice President Novaris has issued a last minute change in the main scenario and has asked that you coordinate with the teams on the ground for a smooth transfer. Vice President Novaris also stated that you have unlimited power to do so. Here are the papers detailing her instructions. — he rushed out handing the papers. — and please sign here to say you have received said orders. — continuing in the same stride to unsure that Sperado signed the receipt before he read the papers and he was able to safely make his retreat.

Once he had made sure that Sperado had signed he uttered a brief good bye and ran for cover. And rightly so, Sperado looked like he was going to kill someone as he read the orders the Vice President of High-school's student council had saddled him with. The supposed help this paper was supposed to give was nothing but a waste of the paper it was printed on. He crumpled the paper and activated a small magicks circle and burned it. With his other hand he took out Card and called Vice President Novaris.

— Sperado what do you want? - she asked.

— So you agree to this? The Game begins in 30 minutes and you want to change the script? Without even giving a reason why? Do you even know why?

— President Fairchild decided that the other script wasn't exciting enough.

— So she wanted to add spice to the game by trying to fuck us over? What she couldn't have done that last week? Heck even yesterday would have been better. — he hissed at her.

— …

Silence was all that he got as answer.

— Has she even told you why she changed it? —

Still no reply for Vice President Novaris.

— Never mind, the lapdog never have the answers. Tell your owner that the entry will be changed to Varve'in and Ladru'in and his team will be in charge of sector D. Vice President. - and he hung up.

He sighed and quickly sent a message to the people concerned of the change in the plans. He rubbed his face and turned to the other people in the area.

— She really tried to change the scenario less than hour before the Game starts? — a man with pale green hair and silver eyes asked.

— It's a power play Nora'id, the high-school division is the one that holds the most power despite what the rules say as such until a new Speaker is elected the high-school president is the de-facto leader of the Senate. Fairchild can in theory do what ever she likes until term restarts and a new Speaker is elected. — a woman with dark pink hair and blond strands, blue eyes and red and silver speckles explained.

— Yes, she's flexing her power and testing the reaction of the Councils and the Senate. — Sperado added turning to the woman who looked like him with a thoughtful look on his face. — you do raise a point though Shei'lla. —

Sperado got up from where he was sat and headed towards the exist.

— Ash? Big brother what gives. — the younger Sperado called at her brother's retreating back.

— There he goes. — Noraid sassed.

Shei'lla Sperado shot him an unimpressed look and turned back to look at her brother who was making another call. Knowing he would let her know what he figured out once he had a working plan she focused her attention back to the situation at hand. Getting everything set for the beginning of the Game. She took out her Card and placed it on the projector. Once activated this gave her real time of every player and non players locations, this year she was the head game moderator. It was her job to make sure that the game ran smoothly.

Shei'lla checked to see if every non player were in the correct location. That the extra's who were checking for last minute problems were aware that they had to vacated the location in 10 minutes. She then turned to Noirad the individual section gm D.

— Is Ladru'in in position? I do not see him on the screen. —-

— He is in position it is just that Royland is not relinquishing his hold of the sector.

— Patch me through. I'll handle this. — a moment later Shei'lla's earpiece connected with Royland. — This is lead game moderator Shei'lla Sperado, why are you still in sector D Royland?

— I am in charge of the are not this pumped up son of a… — Royland started but was cut by Sperado.

— There have been some changes demanded and approved by both Vice-President Novaris and President Fairchild in her capacity of President of the high-school council and as interim Speaker of the House. If you have any complains please place them with them. Until then you are to remove yourself from sector D and allow Ladru'in to take charge. Have I made myself perfectly clear? — She explained coldly.

Not hearing a reply she repeated herself. — is that clear? —

— yes. — came the grudging reply.

— Good, hand over the earpiece and walk out the zone. Only log ourself out once you have reached the designated area for the non-participants. — Sperado conitnued, her tone a degree warmer.

— This is Ladru'in, and I am in position. I should appear as online in three, two, one… —

As he finished the count down his dot appeared on the screen. Noraid quietly confirmed that every authorized personnel were now in the correct position.

— perfect Ladru'in, and I confirm that sector D is good to go. — Sperado relayed.

— Understood. May Altayer lead us to success. — Ladru'in called out before disconnecting.

Sperado breathe a sigh of relief that Royland hadn't put more of a fight. Putting a neutral face she turned towards the other game moderators.

— This is the final check of sectors A - E. Status check.

— Sector A all green. —

— Sector B all green. —

— Sector C all green. —

— Sector D all green. —

— Sector E all green. —

— Perfect head to your sectors, the show is about to beginning. — having said her piece Sperado teleported herself at the entrance and changed into her costume. She silently cursed the designer's faculty and their eccentric designs. Thankfully their head designer was graduating soon.

She hovered above the crowd invisible to them, watching as the timer counted down the seconds remaining until the beginning of the Game.

30 more second. The final inscriptions were made and the booths started closing.

15 seconds. The booths disappeared and gates popped up instead.

10 seconds. She lowered herself to land on the main gate.

5 seconds. A deep breath and eyes closed to focus. This was her chance to shine.

4

3

2

1

— welcome to the Surprise Event of Druen'elle. — Sperado called out as her cloaking spell fell revealing her.

The costume she was wearing was impressive. The white dress that arrived at her knees in the front but flared out and feel to her feet at the back. A cape also white attached to her shoulders by engraved metal pieces and two silver chains connected to each shoulder rested on the base of her neck. The dress had a high collar that has silver and dark blue intricate embroidery. The same embroidery that was on the sides and hem of her long sleeves and the bodice of the dress. The particularity of the dress was that the cloth on the outside was white with dark blue embroidery but the inside was dark blue with white embroidery. Her look was completed with white knee length boots with dark blue buttons on the side and also a the heels and the tips.

Her dark pink and blonde hair was done in a half ponytail. The hair pulled in the ponytail had been done in several small braids and clasped together with a white lily. The rest had waves in them and flowed about freely.

In all the look gave her a rather ethereal look and the players looked on with envy,

— This year's game will be, Capture the flag. — Sperado continued. —- The rules are simple, in the course of the next three hours you are to collect the most amounts of flags in oder to win. — she turned to the floating camera that recorded and broadcasted the Game all over Cilphen for those watching.

— You where given a box, inside said box will be your personal flag and it will also be where you will need to place any captured flag to account for the points you will be collecting. Now each flag is worth a different number of points. Red: 1pt. Blue: 5pt. Orange: 15pt. Purple: 30pt. Copper: 50pt. Silver: 100pt. Gold: 200pt. — as she stated each colour and the points they were worth a projection appeared in the air with the information.

— There are there are three specials flags. Two of these flags will be hidden all over the game zone. Pink will give you an unknown amounts of points and yellow will take away an unknown amounts of points. To give a hint there are more yellow flags then there are pink. — Sperado continued winking at the camera. The crowd bellow was rearing to go and the chatter was at an all time high. Sperado could not hear them as she had placed a bubble of silence around her not to be deafened by the noise,

— Remember the points only count when the flags are placed in your box. Now the last special flag is this one. — a black flag appeared in her hand. — this black flag is worth 1,000pt and there are only 6 of these. 6 including this one. — her point made the folded her flag and place it in her left chest pocket, making sure that the flag was visible to the players. She sat down on the closed gate.

— Once you enter the gates like the one I am sat on the game will be afoot. You can steal, find or win a flag from anyone who is on the other side of theses gates. A warning once you enter there is a 50 meter safety zone. That only works while entering. If after you have corssed the threshold of the gates return in that zone you will be considered to as having left the gaming zone and will not be allowed to re-enter. — Sperado jumped down from her perch. Leaning against the gates she called out one final time. — Let the game begin. —

The all 6 gates opened and at the same time Sperado disappeared. The 31st surprise event had begun.

Year: 2,734. Month: Harvestmoon. Day: 15th Darkday. Time: late afternoon.

Location: Vesper Tower

In an office located in Cephiead's tallest building, the excitement that filled the streets of Cilphen was non existent. Situated at the very top of Cephiead's Vesper Tower, was the office of most powerful non student of the Academy. Arch Magus Feir'in Lansiti, Dean of Cephiead Academy. He was sat behind his mahogonymahogany bureau with his head on one hand in the posture of deep tiredness. The source? A file, innocently placed on his desk. This deceptively thin fie was The file very thin and named 'Late admission'. Nexnext to the Dean's magicks seal. Magicks seals where unique as they required the prana of the owner to function and later be used in scans to prove origin and authenticity.

- Sir? -

Dean Lansiti's head snapped towards the source of the voice. Stood at the open office doors was a black eyed man and sleeked back dark grey-blue hair . He wore a dark grey suit with a scarlet shirt and off white tie. This was Ains Ibiwain, Dean Lansiti's personal assistant.

- Is it safe for us to accept these two students? - The Dean sighed

- Enough Ains, I understand your skepticism but they passed the entrance test of the Academy. There are also currently no rules on admissions deadline. Though I suspect that the Senate will remedy this issue in the following weeks. However, until there is such ruling refusing them would set a bad precedent for future applicants. -

- But sir... –

- Enough Ains. they may be from the Kingdom of Orthond they have demonstrated the fundamentals of our Academy brilliantly. Ability is all in the end. – The Dean stated.

He opened the filed and looked at his seal of admission. Late applications are not that uncommon at Cephiead. There was the unspoken rule that applications should not be sent in the final week of the Menya holiday and during the Druen'elle Fair. Approving applications on the eve of the new term was a first and the reason for the Dean's current disposition.

He closed the file and turned to take in the sight of the bustling of the city. He eventually stood up and absentmindedly wondered closer as he pondered on the matter at hand. He glanced at the closing concert and momentarily lost his somber demeanor as his lips twitched upwards into a brief smile.

- Well we can be sure of one thing, these following years are going to be very interesting – he chuckled to no one in particular.

Year: 2,734. Month: Harvestmoon. Day: 15th Darkday. Time: Evening

Location: Somewhere is Merberath

A women emerged from the depths of the pool. She had skin as pale as milk with hair the color of champagne, her horns were a shade darker than her hair and curving on her forehead as crown. Naked as the day she was born shewalked up the steps on he far side of the pool and sat down to bathe in the rays of Esphia's lightswan to the surface of the lake. Eventually she stood and let the three female attendants waiting on the side dress her in a white religious ceremonial white chitton inner robe with pale green outer robes. An attendant with dark blue hair and dark grey horns tiedoutfit a tied a forest green sash with golden embroidery at her waist. Bangles of various shades of dark green and white where placed on her hands and bare feet by another attendant. Her hair was done in many small braids and then coiffed in an elegant bun held together with several small golden bells by the last one. Lastly a black blind fold was tied over her eyes. Dressed sheShe started to headed in deeperdeeper in the building to kneel in front of the statue of Alde'inor, the Goddess of all creation. when paused and turned her Vveiled eyes turned to the east inin the the direction of Cephiead and she smiled

- it has begun. –