THE DAY OF STRANGERS

It’s not an official name, of course, but the final day of the Festival of Magic was always given over to the new, the strange, to experience something as an abecederian. Many sought that new experience in taste, whether it be a new food, a different drink. Others watched a new spell, listened to a new song, sang or told a new story. Some took new lovers. It mattered not, as long as one found something new to savor. For the people who have lived so much longer than I, the danger was that life could become a ritual of non-movement. The Day of Strangers reminded everyone that there is always something new to be explored.

Many chose to pursue the day in a different guise, subtle spells of illusions, or charms of the body to experience a different reaction, even when seeing someone they know well. Beguilement and cosmetic charms for those inexperienced enough to make their own were some of the most sought after items on the Day of Markets at the beginning of the festival. Masks, odd clothing, makeup; all were used to turn a relatively small city into a conglomeration of strangeness. Our culture considered the height of impropriety to use any divination gifts to pierce a costume, to strip away the facade of uniqueness, and that taboo heightened during the festival.

Not everyone chose to hide their features as well. Some of the greatest fun many had was the interactions they had with their friends and family as someone different. Even if discernment of identity occurred, politeness dictated that actions today, at least of a non-violent nature, were dismissed as fun.

I had celebrated yesterday with friends. Ceylind, my dear friend and constant companion, we bounced from one group to another, tasting the best, and some of the worst, foods and drink to be had across the breadth of the port. After weeks at sea, sushi was not on my list, but there are a thousand ways to serve shellfish, and that was but one of the many items we tasted. I have never really been one to taste ales, but, they were a favorite of Ceylind’s, so I imbibed too heavily and we partied late into the night until even the glow of the moon dimmed.

Which meant I started late on the final day, as many do. Although our clan is not the largest, or the most wealthy, our clan quarters do cover quite some ground on the outskirts of the port, closest to the sea. Many families live beyond the cliffs and the caldera, spreading out into the forest around the city, but our constant ties to the sea, and our trading offices, had kept us closer over the decades. There was still plenty of room, and space. I suppose it would be considered palatial by human standards, with their quarters crammed into tight spaces, built on top of each other. However, long lives require space to pursue one’s own activities. It took about ten minutes to walk from my small suite of rooms to the large communal dining areas. I made myself some of Tylerian’s calyleas tea, something I sorely needed to calm my stomach after the bitter dwarven ale Celynd had insisted we drink tankards of last night. I had hoped that Kaloryien would still be around to purge my system of its after affects, but by the level of the sun in the sky, I knew she had to have left for the temple to prepare for the solstice cleansing ritual, which would occur tonight at dusk. I had seen it before, so did not plan to attend, but it was quite spectacular, the joint ritual of the Temples to the fates of Mel and Tyl (Sun and Moon in the common tongue). They performed the ritual twice a year, at dusk of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and at dawn of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Tonight, the followers of Tyl would lead, and my sister Kaloryien,, as it signified that the moon would grow stronger for the next half of the year, thus the celebration at dusk. Of course, the opposite occurred during the Festival of the Fates, when the cleansing was held at the dawn of day, signifying that Mel would begun to grow stronger in its cycle. Cycles of the year, cycles of life. The cleansing ritual could be used in many ways, none of which held my interest this year.

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“Good Morning, Taloryian.”

I sputtered for a moment, caught commiserating with my tea, before replying, “Good Morning Kahina.”

“Are we back to that? I thought we had agreed on Teresal.”

“Of course, Teresal, my apologies. Reflex I guess, as I was not aware you were here. I assumed you had already left for the temple.”

“I think that my employer can see to himself today. As we discussed, I have little healing ability, and I think I have bothered your sister and her fellows sufficiently for the last week. They are hopeful that they can begin a healing process in a few days, without damaging his mind further.

“Further?”

“Well, the mind is a delicate thing. Since he has been without consciousness for so long, there may be damage that cannot be undone. I did what I could to stabilize him of course, as the contract requires, and to do no further harm.”

“I must admit, and I hope this causes no offense, but I find little cause for concern. I do not really wish your employer harm, but how he makes his money, and the brutality of slavery, well, I can’t say that I am very distressed. What does your contract call for, if, he is, I guess disabled.”

“If the healers are unable to restore him to full capability, then I would need to escort him back to Dar as-Fanajan. He does have a son, and then at that point, I guess we would have to see if his family wishes to continue my contract. I will escort him and his assets, as promised, and then see.”

“His assets?”

“Dajeek and Valerik, of course.”

I hesitated, before just blurting it out, “Slavery is illegal in Dhora Karendar.”

“Your point being, Taloryian.”

“Well, I had been going to wait until after the festival to discuss this with you, but, I checked on well, the law. I probably won’t get this exactly correct, but the decrees are that if a slave enters the land of Karendar, he or she is immediately given their freedom.”

Anger suffused her features. “You dare! I warned you not to interfere with the laws of the contract I am bound to!”

“Teresal, please, I do not mean to cause you distress, but if two laws are in conflict, surely the most moral law should outweigh the other.”  I thought my plan elegant, neglecting to mention that if they had never stepped on land, the question became cloudier.

Her scornful laughter made my cheeks burn, “Law knows no morality, just the law. But you are correct, if there are two in conflict, a resolution must be determined. I shall have to seek guidance to determine the best, most legal resolution.

We sat silently for a few minutes. I felt both guilty at my minor deception, as well as not informing her sooner, as well as relief that the two kids would be free from slavers in the future.  Perhaps, if I thought too greatly, I had hoped the slave master might just wither away.

“Perhaps, we can see one of the tandrorari, uhm, I mean magistrates, who assists the Marquise in matters of policy in a few days? Surely it does not matter today given that your employer is still not awake or able to be moved long distances without chance of further ill health?”

She glowered at me, before obviously schooling her features to a more polite mien. “Of course, I have heard this is one of your great festivals, and I have yet to partake.”

“Please, then, let me escort you during the Day of Strangers.”

“Day of Strangers?”

“Yes, while we are perhaps not quite true strangers, we know little of each other. This is the day for new experiences! Please allow me to show you the city!”

She thought a few moments further, and then nodded, and smiled slightly.  She had an elegant, and unique beauty, even with, maybe especially with, the flush of anger still highlighting her cheeks.

I sighed in relief, the basics of my plan beginning to play out with Darjeek and Valerik. And no major fight yet. It was dangerous to get in the way of a Kahina and her fate. I hoped I had found the way.