Luca made his way to the meeting spot where he and Finn had agreed to regroup. The festival was packed with people, and searching for him would be like finding a needle in a haystack. After scanning the crowd for a while, Luca sighed and decided to move on. Finn was probably too caught up in exploring and had forgotten about their plan.
As he walked through the festival, Luca stumbled upon a shop selling beautiful ornaments. One, in particular, caught his eye, a delicate silver bangle with intricate patterns carved into it. It reminded him of his mother. He carefully picked it up, deciding to buy it for her.
Next, Luca thought of Taro. The beast was almost the size of a small house, finding something suitable for him wouldn't be easy. After some searching, Luca found a large, coin-shaped pendant engraved with a scenic landscape. It was perfect, but finding a chain long enough to fit around Taro's massive neck would have to wait for another time.
As the sky began to darken, Luca continued wandering through the festival. The warm hues of sunset spread across the horizon, casting a golden glow over the crowd. He noticed festival workers guiding groups of young men and women towards an open area. Curious, Luca followed along.
The crowd settled in a large clearing, sitting in a wide circle. In the centre, a small pile of wood had been carefully arranged. A festival worker stepped forward and lit the wood, and a small but steady fire flickered to life. Its glow cast soft shadows across the ground.
Luca listened to the hushed conversations around him, trying to understand what was happening. It turned out this was an old festival tradition. Young men of marriageable age could showcase their skills in front of everyone. On one side of the fire sat the men, and on the other side sat the women who were also of marriageable age.
If a woman was impressed by a man's performance, she could write down his name, his skill, her own name, and why she was interested in him. If the man felt the same way, he could approach her family to ask for her hand in marriage.
A man who seemed to be the announcer stepped forward. He greeted everyone with a warm smile before speaking.
"This is a tradition passed down by our ancestors. It is a time to honour the love and respect between young men and women."
He looked around the crowd before continuing.
"Please remain silent while the men perform. Encourage them only after they have finished. Do not mock their efforts, but if they are performing comedy, then, of course, feel free to laugh!"
A few chuckles rippled through the audience. The announcer then turned to the young men sitting by the fire.
"Give it your all! If you truly want a wife, now is the time to impress!"
With that, he stepped aside, and a bell rang, signalling the start of the event.
The first participant's name was called, followed by his hometown and occupation. The festival had entered a new phase, and Luca watched with interest as the performances began.
As the performances continued, the audience remained captivated. Some men showcased graceful dances, their movements fluid and precise. Others demonstrated their skill in painting, creating beautiful images with swift, confident strokes. A few played musical instruments, their melodies blending harmoniously with the night air.
Then, a young man stepped forward, his presence immediately drawing attention. He turned toward the musicians in the distance and called out, "Music, please."
A murmur spread through the crowd. Was he going to sing?
The young man's gaze settled on a particular girl across the fire. His eyes held a quiet intensity, and when he opened his mouth, his voice was rich and full of emotion.
"In my thoughts, I see only your face, Lucy
Why do you remain just a dream to me?
Lost in thought, I whisper your name, Lucy, my dear Lucy
Will you ever agree?
Even the vast sea
Can't keep apart you and me
Let's be free
No need for formalities"
The melody wove through the air like a gentle breeze, touching the hearts of those who listened. Some of the older audience members exchanged knowing smiles, while the younger ones watched in admiration.
"A life without love
Was a sky without blue"
A few people sighed, caught up in the song's sincerity. The girl's cheeks flushed, and she glanced up at the singer, her expression unreadable.
"Let this world be drowned in love's embrace
And let us soar as doves in grace"
The song reached its peak, the young man pouring every emotion into his voice.
"In the silence, I hear your voice, Lucy
Will your answer set us free?"
As the final note faded into the night, a hush fell over the gathering. Then, the crowd erupted into cheers, whistles and applause. Some clapped enthusiastically, while others whispered among themselves, wondering how the girl would respond.
Luca watched with quiet interest. Would the girl take his hand, or would she walk away?