Niall woke up to the sound of his father pulling the wash basin off the dresser they shared. He sat bolt upright and stretched.

  “Up early, aren’t you?”

  “Start of Harvest festival” Niall mumbled, rubbing his eyes. “No class. I’m going to introduce Caragh to Ms. McCarthy, and maybe get another couple of sweet rolls and then we’re going to walk around town and see all the stalls and games.”

  “Sounds like a good day. Make some time for me, alright?” Liam said, hitching up the wash basin. “We’ll get dinner at Meabh’s again.”

  Niall nodded. “I remember, she said she’d make us something special.”

  His father left to go fill the wash basin. After another stretch, Niall got off his cot and

  went around the room, tiredly lighting the various candles set around. He lit the candles around the polished metal his father used to shave last, finally waking up. Niall looked at himself, rubbing his cheeks and imagining himself with a heroic bushy beard like the Unknown Hero had.

  The door swung opened behind him, and Liam brought the wash basin to the dresser. Together, they washed themselves and changed into new clothes for the day.

  “Don’t get too dirty.” His father ordered,

  “Remember our wash day falls during the festival, so we have to wait to wash out clothes again.”

  “I try my best.” Niall said cheerfully as they left and once more headed towards the castle. They raised their hands to their neighbors as people were getting up early to set up for the festival. The square in front of the keep was decorated, and a wooden platform had been raised for the king to make his announcements. Liam and his son skirted around it and the much fancier dressed royal guards who had posted around it.

  “You could take them.” Niall said quietly to avoid drawing the ominous figures attention.

  Liam laughed at his sons attempt to avoid the red clad guard’s ire. “Perhaps I could, but I’m not going to try. Much easier to leave them be.”

  They entered the castle courtyard and made a straight path for the chow hall. Connor joined them as they got in line with their bowls. Once more, the lunch ladies made sure to give Niall a hearty serving. “Thank you” he said quietly, not looking up to protest the extra food.

  “Popular, aren’t you?” Connor said when they’d sat down. “Not even I get extra, and I’m always nice to the cooks.”

  “They want to endear him to their daughters, I think. If you brought him here when I’m adventuring, I’d be willing to bet their girls would be helping.” Liam commented around a spoonful of oatmeal. “A perk of being a hero’s

  son, I suppose.” Niall just blushed more, keeping his eyes down and eating the oatmeal, pushing the berries and bacon to the side to eat last.

  “How was your meeting with the King yesterday?” Connor asked around his spoon, “Did he assign you a sister? His butler, maybe? I hear that guy is quite capable.”

  “He tried, but I refused him. He did insist I equip myself from the royal armory, though.”

  “What?” the fellow guardsman exclaimed. His spoon dropped to the table at the outburst. “That’s a surprise. No one gets in there any more, other than the royal guards. I don’t even think the last hero got to take from the royal armory.”

  Liam just nodded. “It was certainly a shock. I’m pretty sure I saw several treasures the line could use, just gathering dust.”

  Connor shook his head. “Well, what did you take?”

  “Just some armor and a sword. I’ll trust my shield, hasn’t ever failed me. The king insisted I take an orb to communicate with, but I don’t know how useful that will be.”

  “An orb? Can’t imagine how that will be useful in a fight.” Connor said, picking up his spoon again. The trio finished their food in silence, putting their bowls away before leaving the chow hall.

  “Now Niall,” his father said, grabbing the boy and brushing his tunic free of dust, “remember, you can’t wash the clothes until next wash day, so you have to keep those clothes clean. No dirt, leaves, or wells.”

  “Wells?” Niall asked. “The festival isn’t going to be in the wells, father.”

  The quick wit caught Liam, and he chuckled. “Just the same. Meet me at the fountain just outside the portcullis when my shift ends.”

  The young boy nodded.

  “And bring Caragh, maybe the chefs will leave you alone if they see you with a pretty girl.” Connor added, stifling a laugh behind his hand as if he were coughing.

  “Caragh is just my friend…” Niall started, stopping when he saw the two men’s knowing smiles.

  “Alright.” He finished, catching on to the joke. Liam squeezed his son’s shoulder before turning to follow Connor towards the morning formation for duty. Niall left the castle grounds and headed to the cathedral where he’d agreed to meet Caragh. The path was similar, though he did not stop at the McCarthy home, instead heading straight for the tall landmark in the city. He stopped at the main gate, not seeing his friend around yet.

  “Niall, is that you?” the sister assigned to greet guests today asked. “What are you doing here, there aren’t lessons on a festival days are there?”

  “No. I’m meeting Caragh and we’re going to spend the day looking at stalls.”

  “Oh, isn’t that nice. You two are so cute together. Too bad her father was sent to the line. He and Liam got along so well.”

  Niall puffed up a little, having pride in his unofficial uncle. “Like brothers.”

  “Niall!” a girl exclaimed from nearby. The boy and Sister turned to see Caragh jogging up the street towards them. “Sorry I’m late” she said, breathing heavily. “I just wanted to say hello to my mom first.”

  “It’s OK.” Niall said, understanding. After a moment’s hesitation, “Are you ready to look at all the stalls and food?”

  “Oh, nothings open yet. Let’s go say hello to your mother now. Food will be ready by then.”

  “Maybe we’ll be a little late to the festival?” Niall joked. The sister waved at the two children as they left, heading towards the other side of town. As they got to the older part of the city, it was dirtier and less taken care of, than where most of the crafts folk and soldiers lived. The few old people who lived there and made it out onto the street this early in the morning waved kindly to the children as they passed by. The two passed a moss-covered statue in the center of the original town center on the way to their destination.

  The graveyard was just beyond it, and they entered the quiet place, away from where people lived. The two children walked down to a stone slab with three falling angel feathers just below the family name. They stopped, and Caragh put her hands together and quietly prayed.

  Niall just looked up at the stone, Featherborn written across the top.

  “Hey Mom. It’s the harvest festival” he said. “I hope you’re doing alright. We miss you. This is my friend Caragh. I introduced you before. We’re going to get sweet rolls and look at the stalls. Maybe I’ll get you something with my allowance.”

  A warm breeze brushed past them, as the two stood quietly for a moment. The moment ended, and the two children stepped back from the gravestone.

  “Ready to meet Ms. McCarthy?” Niall asked.

  “I am so ready. She has the best sweet rolls I’ve ever had.” Caragh answered. They left the graveyard and wandered back through the older part of town, the elderly folks mostly staying in chairs just outside their homes, leaving the youngsters alone as they got further into the newer parts of the city. More people were out now, setting up stalls or bringing their wares outside. Some were wandering like them; others were finishing hanging streamers and banners.

  “She’s just down this way.” Niall said, pulling Caragh into an alleyway.

  “What does she do,” Caragh asked, “other than make sweet rolls?”

  “I think she’s a tailor? Dad introduced me, and when I clean her house, she has a loom. I’m allowed to touch it though.” Niall explained as they stopped at the small door. He knocked and they waited patiently. Only a moment later, an older woman opened it up and looked down at them.

  “Oh, Niall, what a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t expecting you during the festival!”

  “You wanted to meet my friend.” Niall told her. “This is Caragh Nightingale. We go to lessons together.”

  “Oh, aren’t you adorable. Well, lucky for you I made more sweet rolls for my son’s family, but they won’t notice two missing. Wait here a moment.”

  She disappeared back into her home before reappearing with two warm rolls.

  “Will you be here this weekend to help me clean?” she asked as she handed the rolls off.

  “Yes Ms. McCarthy.”

  “I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a hundred times. You can call me Roisin.”

  “I know. But my dad says my mom would want me to be proper...”

  “Well, that’s good of him, then.”

  “Can I call you Roisin?” Caragh asked. “My dads on the line and won’t mind if I’m a little familiar.”

  “Is he now? Well, bless his heart, please dearie, just Roisin is fine.”

  The young girl grinned brightly. “Thank you for the roll, Roisin. It’s delicious.”

  Roisin smiled back at her. “Well off with you, I have things to do, and I’m sure you want to look at the goings on.”

  The two children nodded, and the old woman closed the door on them. Rolls in hand, bites slowly getting taken out of them, the children went back to the main street and stood for a moment, looking at the hustle and bustle. Niall was just finishing his roll when someone knocked into him, crashing them both down into the ground.

  “Are you alright?” he heard Caragh exclaim from nearby as the stranger rolled off of him.

  Niall shook his head and found a boy his age, with darker blond hair and grey eyes, unusual in the city.

  “Sorry.” He said quickly. “In a hurry, trying to hide. Can you help?”

  Niall blinked. “Hide from who?” he asked, unable to imagine what anyone would need to run and hide from in the city.

  “The royal guard.” The boy said, getting up and dusting himself off and looking around.

  “Can you help me or not?”

  “We can,” Caragh said, helping Niall up. “Come on.”

  Together the trio headed down the increasingly crowded road until the Cathedral was in sight.

  “Oh, not there, the guards will already be there.” The new kid said.

  “Relax.” Caragh instructed. She had Niall’s hand in hers as she led the two boys off to an alley along the side wall. Niall looked back to see the tall, imposing guards working their way through the crowd before turning around the corner.

  The road was suddenly much clearer, and Caragh led them to a building halfway down. It looked empty and unused.

  “Come on. The door’s unlocked.” she said, pushing it open and bringing all three inside. She closed the door quietly, and then tip toed to the window. Slowly, she looked over the edge. The new boy tried to look as well, but Niall pulled him down.

  “Let her check. You’re hiding, remember.”

  “Right.” He said, turning to face Niall.

  “I’m Padraig, by the way.”

  “Niall. She’s Caragh.” Niall answered.

  “What are you doing running from the royal guard.”

  “Shush” Caragh chided them. “The guards just turned on the street.”

  The two boys were quiet, and Niall felt his heart beat faster, and it sounded as if it was getting louder, enough for anyone to hear it.

  “They’re gone.” His friend finally said.

  “Phew” Padraig sighed. “My dad works in the castle, and makes me help him, but I wanted to go to the festival today.” He explained.

  “Your dad doesn’t get a day off for the festival?” Niall asked. “Caragh, how did you find this place?”

  “My dad never takes days off. Even when he’s allowed to.” The new boy said. “This is a pretty neat little place.”

  “I used to walk by here when my dad was raising me on my way to lessons. I don’t know why, but this place has been empty a while.” Caragh explained. “Maybe don’t tell your dad, and it can stay that way.”

  Padraig laughed quietly, hoping to not alerting anyone outside. “Oh, I won’t be telling him. Now I have a place to hide. OK! Let’s go look at stalls. I brought some money with me to spend.”

  Niall and Caragh nodded. “Let’s go.”

  They crept out of the house; it’s silence seeming to demand they be equally quiet until they were outside in the sun. They could hear the festival just down the street, and the group walked towards the sounds and smells. As soon as they turned onto the street, it was a different world. The vendors and craftsmen have finished setting up their stalls, streamers and flags hung from windows and crossed the street.

  “I always liked the spring festival more.” Caragh said. “The harvest festival always seems… tense.”

  “Yeah.” Padraig said. “My dad has to help with accounting the crops for the winter and it’s so stressful. I remember the year we barely had enough, he was pacing for days.”

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  “Isn't that the year we sent a team to go defeat the demon lord?” Niall asked. “I remember because my dad said it was unusual.”

  Padraig nodded. “Yeah, the king was motivated to put an end to this, and hoped a larger group would succeed. But enough of that, look, training swords!”

  Niall and Padraig immediately headed to the stall, looking at the different sizes and shapes of swords. The vendor smiled at the inquisitive kids, indulging them as they picked up swords, letting the two boys swing the carved wood in the open space in front of his stall. Padraig picked up an ebony wood blade; with a hand and a half hilt and a slightly longer blade then a standard short sword, it was unlike anything the boys had seen before.

  “This is heavy.” He commented, impressed. He swung the black weapon around a couple times with both hands. “Niall, try this” he finished, offering it to the other boy. The young guardsmen son had to hold it with both hands when he took it, to keep it from dropping suddenly.

  “Ebon wood, that is.” The craftsman said.

  “Been in my family since before this all started. No one had the heart to sell it, and that wood was rare even when we weren’t under siege. Practically as good as a real sword it is, though it won’t cut as well.”

  “Wow.” They both exclaimed over the weapon.

  “Maybe if one of you ends up a hero in training, you can barter it from me.” The older man chuckled. “Had it so long now, there isn’t a record of how much it cost to get the wood.”

  Both boys bobbed their heads up and down, practically drooling at the information. Caragh grabbed them both by their shirts.

  “Come on you two, there’s more to look at than fancy sticks.”

  The man behind the stall grunted, but Niall put the sword back and only stared at it for another moment before being led away to other stalls.

  “I want to be a great swordsman, great enough for that sword.” Padraig said as they looked at the food stall next in line.

  “Not if I get there first. When my dad comes back, he’s going to teach me everything he knows” Niall said confidently. “And obviously, being trained by the hero will be the best training.”

  Padraig laughed. “Maybe. I don’t know. Some of the older records in the castle say the first couple heroes were trained by the unknown hero, but they all failed anyway.”

  “That can’t be right.” Niall argued as they moved on to another stall. This one had several cloth bolts made from the cotton grown beyond the castle towns walls. The vendor didn’t let the boys look at the finer rolls, but Caragh

  held some in her hand appreciatively. “The unknown hero disappeared after he saved the world from the previous demon lord. No one knows who he is. He just showed up, saved the world, and disappeared again. I wouldn’t mind being a hero like that.”

  “Why? Why save the world and not accept accolades and adoration?” Padraig countered. “If I was the hero, I would want the glory. It’d get me from under my dad’s shadow anyways.”

  “Maybe the unknown hero was a woman?” Caragh asked as they moved on from the fabrics.

  The boys rubbed their chin, considering the question. “Is your dad important in the castle?”, she continued. The next vendor had various wooden toys.

  “Kind of” the new boy hedged. “Hey look at this” he continued, grabbing a complex wooden puzzle. “I bet I could finish this faster than you.”

  Niall accepted the challenge after Padraig bought it. They spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon looking at stalls and taking turns trying to undo the puzzle. Niall bought them kebabs at one of the vendors with his allowance, and they ate the meat and vegetable laden sticks under the shade of a tree.

  “Niall, I thought I told you to meet me at the portcullis fountain.” They heard an adult say. Padraig flinched as they all turned to see Liam nearly upon them in his guard’s uniform.

  “Sorry father.” Niall immediately off the bench they’d stopped at. “I made a new friend and we lost track of time showing him around.”

  Caragh got up as well and dusted off her skirt. Liam finished walking up to them as

  Padraig got up, looking anywhere but the older man.

  “Who’s this new boy then?”

  “His name’s Padraig.” Niall said. He turned to his new friend and saw him sighing resignedly.

  “The prince!?” Liam exclaimed. “Oh, angels above. The King was in a state all morning looking for you. We’re taking you to the castle right now.”

  “The prince?” Niall asked as his royal friend waved a hand.

  “Don’t bother. I know the way back.” Padraig said. He casually saluted Niall and Caragh. “Thanks for the day, I had a lot of fun.” Then the ash blonde boy turned on his heel and walked back towards the castle, shoulders slumped,

  until he was out of sight.

  “I’d wondered why the king stopped his fuss. The royal guards were out in force before the festival, then stopped early in.”

  Niall stared at the ground. “Sorry father. I didn't know.”

  Liam waved the apology away. “No need to apologize, Niall, you had no reason to. The king keeps his son close. Now, let’s take you home so I can change and then we’ll get dinner at Meabh’s.”

  “Can Caragh come?” Niall asked, grabbing his oldest friend’s hand.

  “Of course she can.” Liam said, turning to the girl. “You’re staying at the church while Quinn on the line, right?”

  “I am.”

  “Do you know where Meabh’s tavern is?”

  Caragh shook her head.

  Liam rubbed his chin. “Alright. Niall, you take her there, and I’ll meet you after I get out of this armor.”

  Niall let go of Caragh to hug his father, before leading the strawberry blond girl through the streets once more, through increasingly smaller alleys until they found a nondescript door in a large wall along one of the out of the way roads of the city.

  “This is Meabh’s. Usually, she doesn't let kids in, cause the guards get too drunk. But I’m her favorite.”

  “That sounds pretty dangerous, drunk guards.” Caragh said as Niall reached for the door.

  “Don’t worry, they’ll leave us alone. Especially when my dad shows up. And we’ll sit next to Cormac. He’s the safest guy here, nobody bothers him.”

  Relieved, Caragh followed him into the tavern. It was brightly lit and the tables were clean. There was only one serving girl on the floor, and she was absently sweeting dust around.

  “Niall!” a raven-haired woman behind the far counter said. “You brought a girl! I knew you had it in you.”

  The young boy blushed as he led Caragh to the bar. He sat down next to a drunk old man, who didn't look up from his drink. A helmet that seemed to be all of one piece and had no slits to see or breath was next to him, the fanciest thing about him.

  “This is my friend Caragh. I told you, her dad and mine are best friends, we’ve grown up

  together.” Niall explained.

  “Sure, sure.” The woman said. “Where is your father?”

  “Changing out of his armor. He’ll be here soon.”

  “Well, Caragh. I’m Meabh, owner of this bar. I’m sure Niall told you children aren’t usually allowed?”

  The young girl just nodded, staring at Meabh’s black hair.

  “Niall is an exception, because I like his father. And as his friend, you are an exception too. If you ever need a place to stay, my door will always welcome you.”

  The drunk next to them grunted. Everyone turned to look at him.

  “Hardly a place to offer children safety.” He seemed to growl.

  “That’s Cormac. Our resident drunk. Don’t mind him, and he won’t mind you.”

  “Niall said the safest place here was next to him.” Caragh said uncertainly.

  “Oh, he’s not wrong. Cormac was an adventurer, you see, before he ‘retired’ to my bar. Anyone gives you trouble and he’ll put them right, real quick. Then pass out drunk.” Meabh explained. “Aisling,” she yelled towards the back, “bring out some juice.”

  A red-haired girl the children's age came out from the back with a jug and cups. She set it down on the counter and headed to the back.

  “She’s an orphan I picked up, didn’t want to go to the church orphanage or the castles. She washes dishes for now, but I think she might make a fine cook one day.” Meabh started saying as she poured two glasses of juice. “I’ve got a nice meal planned for you and your father, Niall, since he’s leaving soon. I’ll miss him, only guard that comes in to talk, and not just get drunk.”

  Niall and Caragh took their cups and cautiously drank from them. After a moment, Caragh began drinking the cool liquid quickly, draining her cup in a short moment.

  “What is this? I’ve never had it before.” Niall asked. The young boy looked into his cup and at the red liquid moving inside. “What kind of fruit?”

  Caragh put her cup down, making a hollow thunk on the wooden counter.

  “That is a tavern secret.” The dark-haired woman answered. “But you are welcome to some more.” She finished, filling Caragh’s mug again.

  “Now, I have to check on your dinner and make sure there is enough for your lady friend.”

  With that she seemed to float to the back, leaving them alone with Cormac and the one waitress. Niall drank his juice slowly, savoring the sweetness of it. People, guards and craftsmen alike, started to slowly fill the tables behind them. Liam arrived shortly after both children finished their drinks, dressed in casual tunic and slacks. He sat next to Caragh in a free chair and sighed.

  “I see you’re both alive and not drunk. I’ll have to thank Meabh for not trying to intoxicate you.” He smiled. “Quinn would kill me if he found out I let you in a tavern.” He told Caragh.

  “He’s not a fan of them.” She agreed. “But Meabh seems nice. She says some the words weird though.”

  Liam looked the two children in the eyes. “It isn’t nice to point out people’s differences, especially when they’re self-conscious about it, like Meabh is in this case”

  The children stared back a moment before nodding understanding. Cormac, next to them finished his drink and slammed it on the table. This seemed to summon Meabh from the back, holding three plates in her arms expertly. She placed one each in front of the children and Liam before taking the man’s tankard and refilling it from a

  barrel on the other side of the counter top. She handed the full cup back to him, and Cormac continued his slow drinking.

  “What is this?” Liam asked as they all looked at their plates. Niall saw leafy vegetables that didn’t look wilted, an apple, and some kind of meat slice that smelled delicious.

  “That would be steak, dear. It’s cow meat, which I know is very rare in this city.”

  “Steak?” the soldier exclaimed quietly. “Only the king’s family eats this. How did you get any?”

  Niall and Caragh, feeling the tension, waited to start eating until the boy’s father had an answer.

  “That is a tavern secret, Liam Featherborn, and I expect you to eat that meal or I’ll have you thrown out right now.” Meabh said coolly.

  Liam tried to stare the owner down, but eventually his gaze faltered, and the man picked up the knife and fork on either side of the plate.

  “Thank you.” He said, as he cut into the meat. The children finally picked up their own utensils and began cutting into the steak as well.

  “This might be better than the juice.” Niall finally said, before cutting another piece away= and stuffing it into his mouth. Caragh made an agreeing sound with her mouth full and continued to chew with fervor. In a very short time, every plate was empty, and the trio were slouching in their chairs as the noise and chatter of a much busier tavern rose behind them.

  Liam drank from a tankard the owner had set near his plate for a while before he spoke again. “This has been a great last meal.” He said as Meabh walked by them to check in.

  Niall bobbed his head, sleepy from the food.

  “Why don’t you take Caragh home, Niall” Meabh said. “I want to talk to your father a little bit before his adventure. Cormac, escort them to the door.”

  The boy nodded, and both children got out of their seats. The drunkard groaned, but slid off his stool and stood quite tall over the two kids. He grabbed his helm and strode through the room, pushing chairs with or without people in them out of the way. Niall and Caragh followed in his wake, and soon they were at the door. Niall looked back at his dad, who nodded to him, before they left the tavern.

  Cormac didn’t follow them outside, immediately turning back into the building. The night was chilly and Niall rubbed his arms to keep them warm.

  “Let’s get you back to the church.” He mumbled.

  Caragh grabbed his hand and squeezed it once before the two headed back through the city towards the huge cathedral.