Chapter 11: Making Bread
By mid-afternoon, the square had filled with the scent of grain and sweat, and the villagers gathered with bright eyes and flushed cheeks.
Chief Barou stood atop the well's edge, his voice booming with barely contained joy.
"My friends! My family! Look around you!"
He spread his arms wide toward the harvested stacks.
"Last month, this land was dry. This square was silent. We had no seeds, no tools, and no water. And now... look at us!"
Cheering erupted.
Barou grinned. "So I say — let us feast! Tomorrow night, under the stars, we shall hold Elowen's first Harvest Festival in over ten years!"
More cheers, louder this time. A few kids jumped up and down while the elders exchanged tearful nods.
"Light your lanterns, clean your kitchens, and polish your spoons!" Barou bellowed. "Tomorrow, we eat like kings!"
As the crowd began to disperse and people returned to their homes to begin preparation, Riku and Lila walked side by side down the village path, past the glowing orange of sunset-lit rice fields.
Lila was still smiling from the announcement, her eyes sparkling.