“At this rate, we’re going to have a drought!”
Even as her son tugs her away from the festival, the old woman keeps shouting, her voice echoing through the square.
It puts a bit of a damper on the mood. No one likes to hear ominous warnings at a festival.
Most people seem to brush it off, though.
“Isn’t that old woman a witch?”
“Old Inga’s been rumored to be a witch for years. Maybe it’s true.”
The whispers drift to my ears.
Sure, she has more magical power than most villagers, but she’s not a witch. Not enough magic to cast proper spells.
Besides, that warning of hers felt more like a worried guess than an actual prophecy.
The Lang Village folks seem to shrug it off—just Old Inga being herself—but the visitors from nearby towns look a bit more uneasy.
“Now then, let’s all do the summer festival dance together! There’s plenty to drink, so don’t be shy!”
The village chief jumps in to lift everyone’s spirits.
It’s my first summer festival, and I really want to dance with Maggie.
But Matthew’s frowning. He seems troubled by what Inga said.
“Hey, Zoe. You’re the forest witch’s granddaughter, right? Haven’t you heard anything?”
Ah. And there it is. This is why Selina only visits Lang Village when absolutely necessary.
“Nope!” I reply brightly, grabbing Maggie’s hand and tugging her back toward the dancers.
Matthew watches us for a moment, looking thoughtful. He is the future village chief, so maybe he’s thinking about how to run things better.
I wouldn’t know how the festival used to be. I’ve never seen the rain-calling ceremony, either.
Religion exists in this world, I think, but Selina’s never been the type to care about it, so I don’t know much beyond the bits I’ve read in novels—priests falling in forbidden love, dramatic temple weddings, that sort of thing.
Oh, right. Carlton has a temple, doesn’t it? I heard there’s an orphanage too...
But while I’m dancing with Maggie, all those thoughts melt away.
“I’m thirsty!”
“Me too!”
We leave the dancing circle and head for the stalls.
The chief apparently gave each adult a drink, but nothing for the kids? Rude.
Maggie and I buy juice together and settle onto a bench, watching the dancers as we sip.
“Look, more young people are joining in! The boys from Carlton are really good with the small drums. But thanks to you, Zoe, the Lang girls look so cute when they dance!”
Maggie’s compliments always make me feel warm and fluttery, like a freshly baked bun.
“You really stood out too, Maggie,” I say. “Everyone was watching you.”
She giggles, pleased.
“It’s fun until evening,” she says. “But once they light the bonfires, we’ll have to go home.”
That’s when the festival becomes more of a grown-up thing. Time for dinner, and for the young adults to take over.
Maggie looks a little disappointed, but she’s still way too young for flirtations and nighttime dances.
“That old woman...” I begin.
I know, I know. I don’t want to talk about gloomy things during such a lovely festival, but I can’t help being curious.
“Oh, you mean cranky old Inga? Even her family has trouble with her.”
She says it with a cheerful grin, but I can still hear the unease in her voice.
“Did they really used to hold the festival at the waterfall?”
Maggie thinks for a second, then laughs. “I don’t remember!”
Of course not—she’s only eight!
I think the previous chief was still in charge when I got abandoned, but the current one took over not long after.
Maggie would’ve been a baby. No way she remembers any waterfall festivals.
“My older sisters might. Mom’s always stuck cooking during festivals, but maybe she went when she was younger?”
The old festivals were probably a lot simpler. I bet that’s why people prefer the new one. It’s more exciting and fun.
“Come on, let’s dance until sunset!” she says.
“Yeah! And I wanna ask the musicians if there’s anywhere to buy sheet music!”
Maggie sighs, probably thinking I’m a hopeless music nerd—but this is serious business!
Still, this whole thing with Inga makes me realize something: witches don’t have it easy. No wonder Selina avoids the village when she can.
But living all alone with Selina in the Great Forest...?
I want friends my own age, too!