If you missed part 1 of Festival of Stars, you can find it as my last blog post. This story takes place in the larger Four Stars over Ardatz world, and three months before Uprooted (available where all books are sold). Last time, Hest was reminded of past festivals with his family and determined to get a gift for Maya.

A Festive Gift

The next moonstep, Hest cleaned the stalls, exercised the few horses that were boarding with them, and handed off two horses to their owners who’d stayed the rest period. Once he was sure all was in order until after the mid-meal, he climbed the stairs to his room and pulled out a small box from under his bed. He dumped the coins out onto the blanket and began counting them.

He frowned and split them into three depressingly small piles. How was he to find a gift for Maya that spoke what he felt? And how could he keep Malene from becoming overly protective of her daughter? He sighed and scooped the coins into a pouch. There was only one way to find out.

With his resolve firm, he snuffed the lamp. Noticing the darkener skies, he grabbed his cloak. As he stepped out of the stable, he pulled it closer about him. The winds had picked up, sending clouds scurrying across the sky to play peek-a-boo with the moons. Those very clouds would eventually bring the early rains and maybe even snow, but for now, they were too high and passing too quickly to be of concern for walking through town.

The village wasn’t large enough to have a shopping district like he’d heard Edsbyn had, but there was a merchant’s shop and if he was fortunate, there might be several artisans who’d set up their wares for display. He’d see what Kersten had to offer first.

As he walked into the store, a crowd was gathered around the counter, and Kersten was explaining the value of that particular item. He stood on tip-toe to see over their shoulders.

“…came from south of Huvudstaden. The wood is of exceptional quality, and the details are exquisite. The hinges operate without a flaw. The lining comes all the way from Twilli and is perfect for protecting whatever precious jewelry a young lady has.”

“From Twilli?” Someone asked. “Isn’t that a bit far-fetched, Kersten?”

The merchant woman glared. “Have you ever known me to lie, Hugo?” She continued without giving him a chance to respond. “If Ella was here, she’d be begging you to buy this jewelry box. I know for a fact, once she lays eyes on it, she’ll be harping on you as well.”

Several chuckled.

“Fine,” Hugo mumbled. “Just don’t show it to my wife.”

As Kersten closed the box, the lamplight reflected off the rich tan of the box, highlighting the darker lines that flowed in waves across it. It would be the perfect gift for Maya, but wood was rare in Stad.

“How much is it, Kersten?” Oscar asked, leaning in for a closer look.

“Two gold and a pound.”

Hest groaned, and the crowd dispersed, many shaking their heads. The price was above the hardworking people. Kersten gently closed the box and returned it to the display shelf.

What could he afford with his fifteen shillings? Not even a single pound! He wandered through the aisles looking over the wares, but nothing caught his eye—nothing spoke to him saying it was good enough for Maya. With a heavy trod, he left the shop.

***

Where to, now? His feet seemed to know the answer, and soon he found himself staring out at the square where in two moonsteps, the people of Stad would gather to send off their lights to fill the sky in the absence of the moons.

A stray wind flipped his cloak away from him, and he shivered.

“Looks like you could use a tie for your cloak,” an elderly lady said, extending her hand to showcase her display. A rack of varied-colored sashes fluttered in the breeze.

Here was something Maya would enjoy. He stepped closer, examining the fabric, and immediately, his mouth dropped open.

“It’s the best Twilli has to offer,” the merchant smiled, her face creasing into even more wrinkles. “That grey one suits you.”

Hest closed his mouth and shook his head. “I’m looking for a friend.”

“Ah, a festival gift, then. What color eyes does she have?”

Heat rushed up Hest’s neck, but he held her gaze. “Blue, with blond hair.”

“Like many a girl of the north.” The woman pursed her lips, then nodded. “Any of these blues, or maybe that grey as well. It depends on how dark her eyes are.”

The indicated sashes were all varying shades of the sky. Not wanting to hear that he couldn’t afford them, Hest hesitated in asking the price. Instead, he ran his fingers over them, marveling at the softness.

“How…” He licked his lips. “How much?”

“Ah, my friend,” the woman said with a sparkle in her eyes, “I can tell a soulmate when I see one. Someone with few coins and a taste for the elegant. Each one is worth ten shillings.”

He had been afraid of that, but before he could express his gratitude for her time, she hurried on.

“But for you, I can let you have this one,” she held up the grey one, “for eight shillings.”

Hest froze. Eight shillings. That would leave him with seven to find gifts for Torrin and Malene. He could probably do that.

“Thank you,” he said, glad there wasn’t a waver in his voice. “I’ll take it.”

The merchant wrapped the sash in tissue paper and placed it in a sack. “I hope she appreciates it.”

“She will.”

Now, he had the easier job of shopping for Torrin and Malene, but he wasn’t anywhere as excited about the prospect as he was as he was of handing the sash to Maya. He tucked the sack under his arm and strode back to Kersten’s.

***

The shop was a welcome warmth from the wind, and Hest meandered looking for something that he could purchase for Torrin and Malene.

An artist’s rendition of Wilhelm the Brave called to him from behind the counter. Torrin would love it. That left him with another four shillings for Malene. Kitchen towels? He shook his head. Too mundane. An apron? He frowned. Maybe. But definitely not the red one. He lifted that one up to see the next. Green, not that either. Finally, at the bottom of the pile, there was a purple one that fit the innkeeper.

With his mind made up, he took it to the counter.

“Find what you were after?” Kersten asked with a smile.

“Yes, thank you. I’ll also take that portrait of Wilhelm the Brave.”

“Ah, a young adventurer, huh?”

Hest grinned. “I’ve told the tale enough times to Torrin, he probably has his own imagining of Wilhelm, but this will satisfy him.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Want it wrapped?”

“Yes, please.”

He turned to lean against the counter, and his heart sank as he saw Lucas enter, the man’s expression fixed on one thing.

“Where is it?” Lucas glanced about. “Oscar said there was a unique piece…” He trailed off as his jaw dropped, and he placed each foot carefully in front of the other as if the box would disappear if he took a normal step.

“I’ll be with you in a bit,” Kersten called.

Lucas stared, transfixed at the box. Hest couldn’t blame him. It was a work of art, even more so than the portrait. He only wished he’d had enough coins to purchase it for Maya, but it wasn’t worth worrying over what he couldn’t do.

After several moments of Lucas drooling and Hest shaking his head, Kersten returned. “Now, here you are, Hest. What can I do for you, Lucas?”

“Um, that.” Lucas swallowed. “How much is it?” He fumbled at his side for a pouch that clinked.

“A gold and a pound.” Kersten raised an eyebrow. “You have that?”

Lucas nodded and dropped the pouch on the counter. “Right here.”

A chill ran up Hest’s spine. Who would Lucas be purchasing the box for? Lucas began counting out the coins.

When he was finished, he ran a hand over the wood. “And where’s the wood from?”

“South of Huvudstaden, and it’s real Twilli silk inside. Some young lady’s going to receive a gift fit for a princess.”

“I just hope it’ll speak louder than my actions yesterstep,” Lucas said, regret coloring his voice. “She’ll love it, but will she accept it as my apology?”

“A woman would be crazy not to accept this. Now do you want me to wrap it?” Kersten looked to Lucas. “I could put a tag on it that you could sign, if you’d like.”

Lucas’s eyes lit up. “That would be wonderful! Maybe Maya will listen more if there’s something in writing.”

Hest’s heart stopped, and the packages in his arms felt suddenly light. Maya? Lucas was trying to make amends for his actions. What was Hest’s gift in comparison to the wonderful jewelry box? With heavy feet, he trod back to the stable and deposited his gifts on his dresser. For the first time, he wished the Festival of Stars wasn’t a gift-giving celebration.

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