CH. 13 - Climbing the Ladder

[Daos]

It's been over three months.  The heat of the summer has dissipated, and the chill of winter is quickly approaching.  For the most part, things have been uneventful.  Ladonna celebrated Ingot's sixteenth birthday and Liala's twenty-second with them, and they in turn gave her gifts on her twenty-fourth.  Helen has grown a bit distant since the kidnapping, which has mostly been kept under wraps--the common folk, at least, have no idea it ever happened.

Today is the Harvest Festival.  It feels strange to think that just one year ago today, the party was celebrating in Buho, along with Ryan, Katya and Theron.  So much had changed since then.  Hart is a much larger community than Buho, and so their Harvest Festival is much larger and more elaborate.  Helen will be spending the day attending with the Solan family, so Ladonna and Lillian have the day to themselves.  Asking around, they learn that the four biggest events of the Hart Harvest Festival are the combat tournament, the music contest, the art contest and the cooking contest.  Each event comes with a large cash reward if won, and a bit of prestige, as well.

As the pair make their way into town, the sky is dreary and overcast.  But the feeling in the air is far more hopeful and fun, with children laughing and playing in the town square, where the festival has been set up.  People drink, eat, and have a good time.  One last hurrah before winter sets in.  Already the air is cool enough that most people are bundling up with cloaks to stay warm.

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It is Turquise 28th, 313 at 9 AM.

(OOC:  Ladonna can choose new spells for the day.)

[GravityEmblem]

"I heard there is to be a music tournament," Lillian says to Ladonna. "That falls under my area of expertise, I suppose. Are you going to participate in any of the contests?" she asks.

[HorizonsDream]

"I don't play music, and I can't really cook," Ladonna says thoughtfully. "So that leaves the art contest. Magic can be considered an art, and dancing can be considered an art, but I assume they are speaking about painting," she explains. "So I guess I'm out of the running when it comes to all of the contests."

[GravityEmblem]

"I've never painted," Lillian admits. "In fact, I've never met anyone who could paint. It might be an interesting skill to learn, though I'm not going to be able to learn it fast enough to paint in the competition."

[HorizonsDream]

"Do you have a song in mind when it comes to the music contest?" Ladonna asks curiously.

[GravityEmblem]

"I'm thinking of playing 'The Epic of Lady Crystal,' a song I learned from my mentor," Lillian explains. "It's the heroic tale of a princess who slays a dragon, as well as a few other creatures. But before that, I realize I haven't been formally introduced to a few of your new colleagues--Zesk and...Unkanite, was it?"

[HorizonsDream]

"Would you like to meet them?" Ladonna asks. "I'm sure they are around here somewhere. Though, I have to warn you that Unakite is...well, she isn't for everyone," she says.

[GravityEmblem]

"I'd love to!" Lillian says. She laughs at Ladonna's comment about Unkanite. "Well, from what I've heard, she's quite the character."

[HorizonsDream]

"I don't think I have ever heard of you wanting to meet people," Ladonna admits. She seems kind of surprised that Lillian is even out and about. She was always the type to keep to herself. "But before we throw Unakite your way, I think it is best to meet Zesk first." With that said, she starts searching for Zesk among the crowd.

[Daos]

Searching the crowds, the two women eventually find Zesk not too far from where they will be holding the cooking contest.  Several tables have been set up with white tablecloths.

Zesk, however, is busy playing with some local children and dogs.  He seems to be teaching the kids how to play fetch with the dogs, by throwing a stick.  He is a young adult half-orc with shoulder-length black hair, brown eyes, and grey skin.  He has a bulky and broad-chested build, and his orcish heritage is clear in his bulbous ears and the pair of tusks jutting out from his bottom teeth.  He is wearing simple and somewhat dirty white robes, having picked up a lot of dust and other stains today at the festival.

[GravityEmblem]

"You're Zesk, correct?" Lillian says warmly. She bows. "I'm Lillian. I work with Ladonna under Lady Helena."

[Daos]

Zesk hands the stick to one of the kids and says, "Go on now, just as I showed you."  The kids run off, the dogs playfully barking and following after.  He then turns his attention to Ladonna and Lillian.  "Ah, fair morning, Ser Ladonna.  Have you come to participate in the cooking contest?  The competition looks quite cunning this year."

At Lillian's introduction, he gives a polite nod and says, "Well met," and offers his hand.  "I wasn't actually aware Lady Escott had two guardians.  But yes, I am Zesk Gir.  Pleasure to meet you."

[HorizonsDream]

"Lillian mostly kept to herself when we first arrived," Ladonna explains. "As for the cooking contest, I'm afraid I would end up in last place. What about you?"

[Daos]

"Ah, well, the best I've been able to do was fourth place last year," Zesk admits, a tad embarrassed.  He quickly smiles though.  "However, I have been practicing quite a bit in the past year, and I'm hoping to do better this time."

[HorizonsDream]

"I wish you luck then," Ladonna says. "Can you have an assiant? I would be willing to help out."