Townsfolk, tourists, merchants, and adventurers from across Zeltharia gathered at Eldoria's entrance, eager to witness and celebrate the summer festival. Excitement buzzed through the air, matched only by the nervous energy of those participating in the parade.
At the head of the procession stood Prince Sylvas, flanked by Samsan, Halen, and a priestess from the Temple of Solnne. She had journeyed from the eastern mountains of Helioris, carrying a sacred torch lit by the temple's eternal flame. Draped in a simple cotton tunic, her face veiled except for her solemn eyes, she extended the torch to the prince. He accepted it with a nod, the fire casting flickering golden light across his regal features.
A royal wind mage handed an enchanted loudhailer to Samsan, amplifying his voice across the gathered crowd.
"Residents of Eldoria, citizens of Zeltharia, foreign visitors, adventurers, and merchants—thank you for joining us in celebrating the summer festival. May Solnne bless the merchants with prosperous trade, guilds with worthy recruits, and our kingdom with a bountiful harvest."
"Didn't we hear that from Halen earlier?" Arden muttered to Trej.
"I'd rather not deal with Halen right now," Trej replied, glancing away.
Similar murmurs rippled through the assembled guilds, but before they could spread further, Prince Sylvas took the loudhailer.
"On behalf of my father, King Freydor XI, the royal family, and with the blessings of Goddess Solnne, I hereby declare the summer festival of Eldoria officially open!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd as the priestess stepped back, her hands clasped in silent prayer. Prince Sylvas then escorted her to a gilded chariot bearing the royal crest, and together, they led the grand procession through Eldoria's bustling streets.
The parade began with the royal chariot at the forefront, followed by the Registry's carriage carrying Halen and his receptionists. Vibrant floats representing the merchant guilds came next, adorned with regional flowers and showcasing the wares they were known for. Exotic creatures and enchanted lights danced gracefully through the streets, while musicians played lively tunes that wove through the jubilant atmosphere. Dancers in elaborate costumes moved in perfect synchrony, embodying the spirit of the festival.
One of the most anticipated highlights of the parade was the guild presentation.
Eldoria, known for its adventurer-friendly atmosphere, hosted a wide variety of guilds—from small three-member groups to large, prestigious organizations. The registry, thanks to Halen's vision, allowed even the most unconventional parties to form official guilds, fostering a culture of camaraderie and ambition.
The procession began with the smaller guilds, each bearing their crest or banner—a requirement for registration. To operate in Eldoria, guilds needed to uphold the safety and prosperity of its citizens and demonstrate financial stability with at least 20,000 gold in reserve.
Mid-sized guilds with ten to fifteen members followed, and finally, the large guilds brought up the rear. These grander organizations, with over twenty members, often turned their entries into a spectacle. For the past five years, the Golden Sentinels, the House of Versare, and Exousia had dominated the parade with their elaborate presentations. The unspoken competition among them had become a tradition in itself.
This year, however, their initial entrance was underwhelming. The House of Versare's members dressed in elegant white lace dresses embroidered with lilies, floral wreaths or gold laurels resting on their heads. Exousia wheeled in a large, mysterious box, while the Golden Sentinels, clad in gold-trimmed uniforms, paraded on horses, striped tigers, and chariots pulled by four-legged beasts.
The crowd murmured in disappointment.
"Maybe they didn't get the festival stipend this year?" a townsperson wondered aloud.
"Or maybe they just ran out of ideas? I heard their vice-captain—the healer—stepped down," an adventurer speculated.
"Patience," Rieze murmured to an agitated Gress, who clenched his fists. Serys, standing beside him, glanced at a pocket watch and smirked. "A few more minutes."
Gress swallowed his frustration as they neared the town center. As soon as Prince Sylvas placed the eternal flame upon the golden statue at the heart of Eldoria, Serys gave Gress a subtle nod.
With a sharp breath, Gress hurled a large brown sack high into the air. Heena drew her bow and loosed an arrow. The bag exploded midair with a resounding pop, showering the streets in a cascade of glittering, colorful dust.
Gasps of wonder filled the air as, in a blink, the three guilds transformed.
The ladies of the House of Versare now wore breathtakingly elegant white ensembles, their designs accentuating beauty while maintaining an air of mystery. The men of the Golden Sentinels shed their tunics, their physiques illuminated under the morning sun as their mounts transformed into majestic unicorns, rare four-tailed foxes, and striped dusk tigers—an elusive breed with fur that shimmered between deep indigo and gold under the light, their piercing silver eyes glowing with an almost ethereal intelligence.
Then, the Exians spun on their heels, their garments shifting into flowing, intricately designed costumes that shimmered in daylight. In perfect synchrony, instruments materialized in their hands, and they gracefully took their positions, ready to perform.
"Now!" Gress commanded.
The bards struck up a tune, light and airy, with drawn-out notes that invited the crowd to relax. The melody was warm and familiar, conjuring the image of lazy summer afternoons spent watching clouds drift across an endless sky. As the tempo picked up, playful bursts of percussion added a touch of energy, keeping the tune lively yet soothing—an effortless harmony that made time seem to slow, allowing everyone to savor the moment.
The walls of the mysterious box at the center of Exousia's float dissolved, revealing an enchanting sight—a massive cloud of ice cream, softly glowing in pastel shades of blue and white. Dollops of whipped cream sat atop its billowing form, crowned with luminous fruits of the season. Twinkling sugar crystals caught the light as oversized sprinkles and ribbons of syrup cascaded down its surface. A cool mist drifted from its base, making the entire structure seem otherworldly.
Exians dressed as ice cream sprites flitted around, playfully handing out pamphlets crafted from a delicate, edible wafer. The House of Versare's members feigned interest, then rolled them into cone-shaped cups and mimed scooping from the cloud, eliciting laughter and intrigue from the crowd.
Curiosity spread through the onlookers, and soon, children and adults alike hesitantly mimicked the motion. Gasps of delight followed.
"This one tastes like blueberries!" a boy exclaimed.
"Mine is lemon!" a merchant grinned at his wife.
Even Prince Sylvas, after one serving, couldn't resist another. Rieze laughed as he handed him a fresh cone.
An adventurer examined his pamphlet and chuckled at the recruitment messages.
The House of Versare welcomes skilled women of all races to celebrate both beauty and strength!
The Golden Sentinels seek warriors eager for conquest and combat!
The Dreamy Ice Cream Float is brought to you by Exousia! We may not have ice cream every day, but we do have an abundance of dashing members with undeniable creativity, strength, and charm, and the owner of a magical bakery!
Flipping it over, he read:
The cold dessert and edible handouts are sponsored by The Enchanted Hearth—home of baked fares for adventurers, by adventurers of Exousia.
Laughter, music, and applause filled the streets as the three guilds exited through the southern gate. Sitting at the parade's edge, Gress let out a breath of relief.
"Great job, everyone!" he cheered.
"No, no," Rieze smirked. "Good job, Vice-Captain Windwalker."
Cheers erupted once more as Gress was hoisted into the air. Serys handed him and Rieze a sandwich made of an edible pamphlet and ice cream.
"This one's a different flavor," she said.
Gress took a bite, his eyes widening. "Is this… Koka Bean?"
"Your mother sent it to me," Serys replied.
"How thoughtful of her," Gress said instantly—only to freeze at the sound of a familiar voice.
"Why, thank you, son."
Slowly, he turned to see a female elf standing beside Heena.
"M-Mother?!"