"All extremes of feeling are allied with madness."
― Virginia Woolf, Orlando
The three of them left the tent with one of them (Shayan namely) being overjoyed and the other two confused. Canary confused on how she ended up with a bow in her hands and Numa confused on how he had his money left. "How'd I end up with a bow". Canary said, dazed. "After what happened at the ball a woman ought to have something to protect herself". Shayan said. "Why a huge bow then why not a dagger"? Canary said. "Because there weren't any daggers in trydonian steel". Shayan said, confused as to why Canary was confused.
"Okay". She said moving on from the conversation. "Thank you for the bow". She said smiling, putting the bow over her shoulder (For Cathal had put a leather strap on the bow for her to carry). "Any sight of Ede and Eamon"? Numa said, looking around the market to spot them. Shayan and Canary both shook their heads no and they began to search for the two. However upon looking for them Canary found herself distracted by a stall that had jewelry and different trinkets on the table. She stopped smiling at all of the things on the table. "Like what you see". A younger woman manned the stall. She seemed to be Canary's age or a little bit younger than her by her looks but her voice was more of an old ladies voice.
"Yes". Canary said looking over the jewelry to see which one she liked most. The woman took notice of this and placed her eyes on a ruby ring. "Here". The woman said. "Red goes nice with your skin tone". The woman smiled. "Your hand". Canary smiled eagerly and put her hand out. "I'll do it". Agustin said, suddenly appearing out of nowhere. He startled both the woman and Canary to the point where they were looking around to see where he came from. "Where did you pop out from". Canary chuckled. "I noticed you weren't with us". Agustin said. "You shouldn't disappear like that, you had me worried". "I'm sorry I got distracted by this stall". Canary smiled. Agustin stared at Canary for a moment as if he was trying to read her. This made Canary embarrassed and she looked away from him. "Is this what caught your eye". Agustin said pointing at the ring. "Oh yes". Canary said clearing her throat from embarrassment.
"May I"? Agustin asked the woman and she nodded and handed the ring to Agustin. "May I have your hand please"? Agustin smiled. It was at this moment Canary had once again remembered how she had felt for Agustin. How nice he always was even though that he didn't see eye to eye with that person.
The very first time Canary had met Shayan when they were children she was outside watching the village children play. For she was a bit shy in her younger years and though Lumis had tried to encourage Canary to play with the village children he did not and stuck to her books so he simply let her be. That was until Shayan who was new to the area because his grandfather had been hired by the Longwoods. Right away he had become popular with the village children. For his personality was bright and whenever he smiled the other children smiled also.
It took a couple of times for Canary to warm up to Shayan but soon he had pulled her to play with the village children and soon Canary and Shayan had become best friends. Shayan had stayed in the Longwood Mansion for him and her grandfather had now lived there. They would have night parties in her grandfather's study by the warmth of the fireplace. It was on a particular night when the rainy season was upon the isle of Lyikar that Canary found herself frightened by the thundering and lighting of a storm.
In that study Shayan distracted her by the reading of books and stories of before he came to the capital of Lyikar. How his father had killed a deer and brought that deer home and it lasted for a week. The lighting struck once more coming through the window without breaking any glass and Canary screamed and hid under her covers. "Canary". Shayan whispered. "Canary". He spoke again. He lifted the covers to a tear full eyed Canary and smiled. "It's okay". Agustin said. "I think the rain will stop soon". He said pulling her from under the covers. "Until the rain stops I shall stay here with you". He said.
"Okay". Canary said. "Would you like to hear the story about my father and his bow?". Shayan asked. Canary nodded. "My father told me this story on how he met my mother she was in the woods they knew not who each other were but he was hunting and she was in the wood scavenging for vegetables when a pack of wolves came upon her my father happened to come upon the scene and saved her from the pack of wolves it was love at first sight he said and they soon married after and had me". Shayan said. "Really"! Canary said excitedly. Her brown eyes were huge and flickered golden brown from the light of the fireplace.
Instantly unbeknownst to Canary, Shayan had found himself falling for her. "Yes". He said. "I shall do the same for you". "The same for me"? Canary asked. Shayan nodded his head crazily. "Yes how about we make a promise when we are both older and at a certain age where neither one of us are married we shall marry each other and I shall protect you". Shayan said. "But what age shall we be"? Canary said, confused. Shayan was also confused and they both tilted their heads to the side thinking what would be a good age. "Maybe twenty three"? Shayan said blurting out any number. "Okay"! Canary agreed. "Lets tell my mother and father". Canary said happily. Shayan nodded. "My grandfather too".
But this was just a joke to their guardians; they did not take Canary and Shayan seriously. Agustin had put the ruby ring on Canary's finger and smiled. "Perfect". Canary smiled also. "I think so also". "How much"? Agustin asked the woman. "No, I will pay for it". Canary pulling out her purse. "No let me, let's say it's a farewell gift". Agusitn said pushing her purse aside. "But you already bought me a bow". Canary said. "And I will also buy you this". He chuckled.
"Then I as well". Canary said, looking at all of the jewelry on the table. She spotted her eyes on a bracelet that had ruby and emerald gems on it. The bracelet itself was silver. "This for me". Canary said. The women wrapped the gifts up for them and Agustin and Canary exchanged gifts to each other. They both smiled happily at the thought of the gift more so of who the gift was from. "Canary"! Ede and Eamon shouted and waved their hands, getting their attention. Canary waved back and they hurried to Numa and the rest of them. "What's up with the bow"? Ede said. Canary pointed at Shayan who was busy speaking with Numa. "Makes sense". Ede said. "We are going to stop over here for a moment". Shayan said pointing at a food stall. The three of them nodded and left Numa and Shayan alone. Going to a stall that was across from the stall Shayan and Numa were at. "What books did you get"? Canary asked Eamon. "A book about the history of Trydon its really old. I should go to a book maker to see if they can rebind it". Eamon said, showing her the book. "Really". Canary said looking at the book. "A man who is trydonain sold me this bow and Agustin his sword". Canary said, smiling at the book. "Really". Eamon said excitedly. "I read a page here that talked about how Trydon made their weapons. There was a broad sword that belonged to the royal family long lost due to the destruction of Trydon". Eamon said.
Canary's eyes widened remembering the sword Cathal had given Shayan. How it was the sword mentioned in the book. "Wait wait wait". Canary said hurrying to bring Shayan over. "You know the prime minister is aiming for you to marry his daughter". Numa said, picking up a stick of grilled meat. "I know royal father would also like this if I can't find someone else to marry". Shayan sighed. "If I don't marry her what shall happen"? Shayan asked. "The council, especially the prime minister, won't be happy". Numa said. "And the council, especially the prime minister, will be happy"? Shayan said. Numa nodded his head. "It looks like I will be marrying Dyani then". Shayan sighed, paying the vendor.
"Or-". Shayan began but before he could finish Canary's presence had stopped him from talking. "Canary what are you doing here"? Shayan asked. "Oh um I had Eamon and I had something we wanted to show you". Canary said. But her voice had fallen and Shayan could see she was withdrawn from him. "Something the matter-". "Come quickly the ship shall be here soon". Canary said leaving him. Shayan was left confused and Numa worried. "You don't think she heard our conversation"? Numa asked.
Shayan shook his head not wanting to believe that Canary had heard him. "What were you going to say"? Numa asked. "I-i was going to say or let the council be mad for I will not marry Dyani". Shayan said.