Nillian feels a bit left out, and decides to walk around a bit across the square. Though there are so many people there it is quite easy to get around, everyone makes way for you and is very nice about it. Several times people stop him and press something in his hands, first a glass of beer and later several small snacks. It seems that the city, together with the church, paid for all the food and drink for the festival.
The other stalls are mostly run by the local shops, and sell all kind of things. One stall is selling the firecrackers that the children were playing with. There are several stalls that sell candles and torches, for the parade later on. One stand sells strange looking hats, and another costumes for the children, so they can dress up as a saint. Another stall sells brightly coloured paper kites. There are also a few stalls selling decorations for the festival. All in all there is something for everyone.
Nillian becomes a bit overwhelmed by all the people and sounds, and walks away. At one side of the square it is a lot quieter, and Nillian sits down on a barrel. There he finishes his beer and the roll that he got from one of the stands. In this section there are several people talking quietly among themselves, away from the bustle of the festival. Once in a while Nillian sees some fireworks going of in the sky, giving a small bang.
Suddenly he has the feeling that there is someone behind him. He gives a start and turns his head. Behind him he indeed sees a dark figure, covered in a long black cloak. The figure's face is covered in shadow, hiding any chance of recognition. Nillian begins to stand up, afraid of the figure. But then the figure folds back its hood, and Nillian realizes it is Lyxia. She takes the last few steps towards him, and sits down beside him.
"Hello Nill."
"Hello sis."
It is silent for a few seconds, then Lyxia begins talking again.
"I am sorry about what happened at the restaurant. I didn't expect you there, and ..."
"It's alright, sis, I was just surprised to see you here. Don't worry about an explanation. That can come some other time. For now I just want to know if you are in trouble, and if I can help?"
"No, no, it is nothing like that. It's ... just complicated. So what are you doing here? Out on business?"
"Yes, doing some research on Dr. Biene, you know, one of the founders of the University."
"Ah, ok. Are you staying long?"
"Probably not. I think I will be returning to Kataras tomorrow. And after that I might go to Stokes, but I am not entirely sure about that."
"Oh, if you do go to Kataras, could you perhaps do me a favour? I have an ... appointment at the monastery the day after tomorrow, but I will not be able to make it. Could you perhaps go by the monastery and tell them I won't be there? Just tell them I have a cold, they'll understand."
"Sure, no problem."
Lyxia begins to get up, and leave the way she came. Nillian, suddenly remembering something, calls her back.
"Sis, I ... well, I am not sure it's possible, but could you perhaps help me with something?"
Lyxia returns to the barrels, takes a look at Nillian for a moment before nodding once.
"Did you mean it, at the restaurant, when you said you worked for the council here?"
"Sort of, yes. Why?"
"I am looking for some records, but they are not open to the public, only for administrative workers of the council. I was hoping if you perhaps could find them for me? It is not super important, but they could help me a lot."
"Of course, I will see what I can do. What are you looking for?"
"I need the records of a workplace called Wind Riches, from about twenty years ago. I need all the project data, purchases and transactions from a few weeks after the Great Bang. I'm not entirely sure, but I think they will be in the name of Gerardina Nott."
"Hmm, alright. I won't be able to get them tonight, I am afraid."
"Oh, that's no problem. If it isn't too much of a bother, take them with you the next time you are in Kataras and give them to me then?"
"Sure. But I do have to go now, sorry for that. Enjoy the festival!"
"Thank you, you much of luck with whatever you are doing!"
Lyxia disappears in one of the small alleyways and is soon completely disappeared from sight. Nillian looks around, and sees that nothing has changed, the same people are still talking and walking around. It looks almost like Lyxia was never there. Nillian remains sitting for a few minutes, then joins the crowd again in the festival. There he gets another beer, and walks over to the city hall. A lot of people are gathered there, and about fifteen minutes later the parade begins. Nillian does not participate, but hundreds of people do. The people walk in a loose column with candles, lanterns and torches. Some are singing, others just talking among themselves.
Nillian follows the parade from the sidelines, and moves with the other people, following the parade to the church. Along the way all streets and houses are decorated with little flags, flowers and torches. Due to all these fires the streets are almost as bright as they are during they day, but now with a yellow glow. Aside from the decorations often people are shouting and throwing flowers out of the windows over the parade, adding that more noise and chaos. Nillian has difficulty keeping up with the crowd, not as used to squeeze through them as most people, and lags behind. After an hour of slow movement he arrives at the church, where the square is filled with people. Nillian keeps to the edges of the square, and finds a spot from which he a good view of the church. He does not have to wait long, as after a few minutes the fireworks begin.
The sky is filled with exploding stars, clouds of small lights and the bangs of all the fireworks. It seems that the fireworks are launched from the roof of the church, for an extra spectacle. With every new wave of fireworks the crowd sighs and goes "Oeeeeh" and "Aaaah". This goes on for more than half an hour, and at the end Nillian can hear that the crowd is becoming hoarse from all the shouting. Then the firework display is over. The whole square begins to applaud and cheer. Nillian, feeling what is coming, quickly leaves the square. He figures that if all these people have to return home they will cause a lot of congestion. So he beats the rush and returns to the marketplace, where he takes a loaded wind car back to the inn.
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