Shireroth

The masked man leapt (literally, leapt) onto the small stage that had been reluctantly set up near Araxion Fortress by Steve and Steve, the Earl's only soldiers. As the masked man surveyed the crowd that had gathered in front of him, he spotted a flicker of black fabric from within the crowd, which disappeared abruptly. The Earl was watching, it seemed.

The masked man raised his arms and the crowd fell silent. And behind him, hidden behind bedsheets stretched across wood, the singers began to sing.

They sang the entire Cycle, as on stage the masked man and others (who were not masked) re-enacted the story of the goddess Elwynn, all in silence. The masked man played almost every part. When he broke down the imaginary door to the Chamber of the Gods as Lest, Elwynn's evil twin, the crowd drew back and mothers clutched at their children. When he stood tall as Utas and told Lest to begone, the crowd applauded his bravery. The choir sang through it all, the Elvish (for they were singing in Elvish, in which the story had been written) gliding through the air and wrapping the crowd in its beauty.

As the music grew more frenzied and the masked man's actions became more dramatic, the climactic battle scene drew close. But then it was over. As the choir sang the last note of the first Cycle, the masked man slipped behind one of the screens and disappeared.

That is the first Cycle of the Festival of Elwynn. The next day will be the second Cycle. They are performed every year to honour the goddess Elwynn. The third Cycle, however, is only performed every ten years, and every time it changes. This is one of those years.

The gods danced with the demons as Astfgl flew by the tree. Mrs. Deirdre Young began a jig while Mrs. Cake served desert to all. Crowley declared he didn´t really fall down and Mr. Slant said it all looked straight to him.

Rufus and Leonard pointed at Brian and Wensleydale and said, "Look at them." As Hastur and Ligur walked by with their wings drooping. The whole crowd was enjoying the music and dancing as the instruments played loudly. Everyone was so happy to be in the presence of so much Royality. Over there was Cido de Haberdasheri, the Duke, enjoying a bit of a bibe while the Baroness del Icatessen proudly pranced around, showing off her jewelry for the crowd. Dorcas didn´t seem too happy about any of this but was a definite entertaining sideshow for all the folks.

Old Torrit and Granny Morkie made quite a pair in their new skit while Nisodemus read the monolog and Masklin stood on the side of the stage as if mocking their every move and Sacco roamed the audience hawking his wares.

Duke Vassenego and Duke Drazometh sang a duet and danced a merry jig. The Royality was certainly doing their part for the festival this time. The Elvish language was yet alive even if the Dukes couldn´t really pronounce all words just right. The people clapped their hands in dutiful appreciation lest the worst should later befall them.

Nooty Kiddies-Klothes and Nicco put on the display of a life time and many said the fireworks were the best ever. Others said they had no right to put on fireworks as it wasn´t befitting to "their kind". Yet othersow and said it should have been better, after all look who got to have all the fun doing it.



That is the second Cycle of the Festival of Elwynn. Management wishes to express regret that it wasn´t the day after, but it´s here now. Next will be the third Cycle.

Bravo!
*lights a thousand firecrackers in your honor*
BOOO