Even though the schoolchildren complained that the fields appeared to sprout new crop whenever a day's work was done, the harvesting season was rapidly nearing its end. Aymala unashamedly spent her days chatting about her preferred plans on how to seduce Mr. Chay, one of only two male teachers working at the convent school this coming term. Milena in turn never seemed to tire of teasing Aymala because of her crush. Syela, however, seemed unnaturally quiet and withdrawn. Whenever the other girls asked her what the matter was she shrugged helplessly and tried to explain:"I don't know really. It's just a feeling... I can't put it into words." As the last Church Day of the summer and with it the day of the harvesting feast grew nearer, her unesasy feeling grew stronger. She would have liked to refrain from going altogether but her companions pressed her to go with them.
A huge bonfire was burning merrily in the middle of the market place. It sent sparks that looked like fireflies high up into the inky-black night sky, and its loud crackling threatened to drown out the festive music played by Rutland's marching band. Corn, roots and fruit had been turned into mouthwatering treats, sweet, salty or spicy, something to be savoured by every palate. A circle of wooden benches surrounded the fire in a safe distance, and what looked like the whole population of the village was sitting there eating, laughing and telling stories.
While Aymala frantically searched for the tall, lean figure of Mr. Chay, Milena nudged Syela and pointed with only the slightest motion of her head to a group of young men, all comrades of her year at school. "That one must be the new guy the others talked about lately", she murmured, hardly moving her lips. Syela put on her most bored face and let her gaze wander, seemingly without purpose, while she closely scrutinized the boy Milena had pointed out. His name was Garin, that's what Milena had snapped up from a conversation between two boys ploughing a couple of days ago. He was an orphan and had been sent to the convent for his last school year, along with a generous financial gift from his anonymous benefactor that kept the abbess, Mother Myriam, from asking questions.
Syela eyed Garin intently. He was tall, dark-haired and undoubtedly handsome. His eyes displayed a sadness that would lead any girl to coo over him, and his voice was quiet and gentle. He seemed to be the perfect specimen for Syela to drool over. And yet, there was something about him that made fear stir in her heart.
She shuddered and involuntarily took a step backwards. "I don't like him."
- "You don't LIKE him??" Milena gaped at her friend in undisclosed wonder. "What's there not to like about him? He's cuuute!" she trilled. Syela lifted her shoulders as if she wanted to hide her head between them. "I don't know. Something about him feels... odd."
"You're the one who's odd", Milena stated, scrutinizing the younger girl. "What's been going on in your mind these past days? I hardly seem to recognize you..."
Before Syela was forced to come up with an answer where there was none, the two were interrupted by a soft young man's voice. "Excuse me. I haven't yet had a chance to introduce myself to you."
Garin looked at Milena rather shortly, then turned the gaze of his liquid eyes on Syela. "I'm Garin." He held out his hand and she shook it limply. For a second Syela had to suppress the urge to wipe her hand on the leg of her trousers. "I'm Syela, and this is my best friend Milena. She'll be in your year." Despite her effort to turn Garin's attention away from her, the young man still kept his eyes fixed on Syela. "Shall we sit down by the fire?" Before she could protest, Garin took her hand and dragged her to a bench that stood a little away from the others, leaving a fuming Milena behind.
