| Fanderas quietly trailed Morgain, Eilis, and Sean. They went through many small streets until they came to a small square far from the fairgrounds. Fanderas watched from the shadows as Morgain was greeted by the waiting group of people. "Come Morgain, you must rule the festivities. It's your birthday feast and we your servants." "Neil, you are making a fool out of yourself..." began Morgain. "Morgain. Dear. We love you. Now sit down or we won't give you any presents." Morgain obediently sat down and was immediately handed a large package. Fanderas leaned forward trying to see and nearly left his hiding place. Inside the package were a dark green tunic and leggings. Both were delicately embroidered around the edges with brightly colored miniature dragons, gryphons, undines, and other beasts. Morgain smiled, hugging her friend, "It's perfect, Aimiliona. Thank you, I love them." Aimiliona murmured an embarrassed reply. The night went on as Morgain opened the rest of the packages revealing a set of throwing knives with "M" inlaid in opal on the hilts, tooled saddle bags, a tapestry depicting a famous battle scene, and a hunting outfit made of delicately tooled leather. After the gifts were all open, the friends all went back to the fair grounds where various minstrels had set up and the dancing was beginning while the nobles looked on. Lord Fanderas slipped out of the street and quietly made his way to rejoin with the rest of the nobles. |
| Chapter 1 |
| (continued some more) |
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