On a continent known as Elvenon, deep within the Khalis Woodlands, was a small gated town called Ithanryn. The houses and shops were made from dark wood gathered from the surrounding woods. Though the buildings were small, each wooden plank used to build them had been meticulously carved in intricate patterns. Herbs and flowers grew in garden boxes on every windowsill and the streets were paved with large stone slabs that had a pale purple hue to them.

The people of the town- largely Tamar Elves- were a simple but hardworking bunch. Nothing of great interest ever happened in that town and many of its younger inhabitants would have paid a great deal just to get a small taste of excitement.

At least, that was what Minnette and the rest of the carnival troupe were counting on.

She and a small group of fellow carnies were hidden in the thicket outside the town’s Northern gate. They were dressed to the nines and itching with excitement to announce their presence to the townsfolk.

Minnette was a young elven woman of two hundred years. She had mousy brown hair that fell in long waves down her back. Her eyes were gray like the clouds in a storm and her skin was very fair for someone who spent as much time out in the sun as she did. She wore a long cream-colored bell-sleeved dress under an elegantly embossed brown leather corset that matched her boots.

She carried a square wicker basket on her right arm. Something inside stirred under the lid and she laid her hand gently over the top to keep it closed.

“You guys ready?” she asked the others.

She was met with a bevy of conspiratorial grins and nods from the rest of her group.

She tilted her chin forward and smirked. “Then let’s give them a show!” She gestured for them to follow her as she pushed through the brush.

The band began to play, beating their drums, plucking their lute strings, and blowing their horns in a jaunty tune. They marched through the gates, grabbing the attention of the townsfolk. A crowd quickly began to form as people paused their work and the children stopped their games to stare at the little parade.

Minnette looked out into the crowd of onlookers and spread her arms wide toward the sky. “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages! The Aaimar Brother’s traveling Carnival Troupe has come to Ithanryn!”

She made a small gesture with her free hand and Kor fire dancers glided forward. With outstretched hands, they manifested rings of fire in the air. The dancers then flipped into the air through their rings and landed squarely on their feet like it was nothing. The crowd erupted in applause. The Kor continued dancing through the street and Minnette made another small gesture.

At the signal, the Valen elf women threw their baskets of flower petals into the air and kept the delicate pink blooms flying high above the parade with their gift of wind control. The sweet smell of rose and magnolia filled the town as the elves twirled the petals in the air like a ribbon dancer with her ribbon stick. Some petals they allowed to rain down on the townfolk who collected them in their hands.

More elves gathered, looking on in fascination as the carnies performed their stunts. A group of children made their way to the front of the crowd and stared in awe as the parade passed through town. Minnette smiled to herself and took that opportunity to open the basket she carried.

All at once a flock of white doves flew out of the basket. They perched on the outstretched hands of children and on the shoulders of unsuspecting adults before taking flight once more, flying in circles above the parade.

The crowds were whooping and cheering at the sight.

With another small gesture from Minnette, the Kiir elf twins, Kyah and Kityara began pulling beaded necklaces out from their own baskets before throwing them into the adoring crowd. They winked at men in the crowd and gave them their winningest smiles.

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Now that the crowd was where Minnette wanted them, she raised her hand and the band quieted.

“All this is a mere taste of the wonders you can expect to find at the Aaimar Brother’s Carnival! All are welcome and we guarantee that we have something for everyone of all ages to enjoy. For three days and two nights, our troupe will be camped in a field a ten-minute’s journey northeast outside your northern gates! Tell your friends! We hope to see you there!”

With a cheeky grin, Minnette snapped her fingers. On cue, the doves scattered and the Kor sprayed their fire up into the flower petals causing an explosion of dense pink smoke. Gasps and squeals sounded from the townsfolk.

Under the veil of the smoke, the carnies slipped silently out of the town so that when the smoke cleared it looked to the townsfolk like they had vanished into thin air.

They all ran back into the thicket and didn’t stop until they were out of earshot of the crowd.

“Great job, everyone!” Minnette said.

The others were doubled over, struggling for breath, but they all were smiling, enjoying the satisfaction of a job well done.

“Now, let’s get back to the encampment and help the others with last-minute preparations,” she said and motioned for them to follow her back through the brush.

They all groaned and sighed but tiredly followed after her.

The field the troupe had set up camp in was not far; maybe a mile northeast of the town.

The others walked at a relaxed pace, talking amongst themselves about the parade and how excited they were to perform for a new audience.

Minnette, having always been light on her feet, was already far ahead of them. Not that she was in any particular hurry. Quite the contrary. For her, she was moving quite slowly, taking plenty of time to enjoy the scenery that the late summer woods had to offer.

She loved the way the afternoon sun hit the trees in just such a way that the forest almost seemed to glow. It wouldn’t be long now before the leaves turned though. It was already quite late in the season.

Suddenly, there was a rustling from the bushes. Minnette froze where she stood and stared into the shaking leaves. There was a grunting noise and then a familiar face pushed his way through the foliage.

“Minnette! There you are!” he said, looking slightly disheveled.

“Gann? What are you doing out here?” Minnette asked surprised to see her friend so far from the encampment.

Gann was a Kor elf. He had messy pitch-black hair that fell to just above his shoulders. His skin was tanned from being out in the sun and his amber eyes burned like the fire at the heart of his people. He had a strong if slightly crooked jawline and other features that drew the attention of many women, young and old alike. He wore a dark vest over his long-sleeved maroon shirt and dark britches that matched.

“I was looking for you! You have to hurry with me back to camp!” he said grabbing onto her free hand.

“Has something bad happened?” she asked, worried.

Gann shook his head. “Quite the opposite. Some traders from Kri’Kori came across our camp on their way to Mynrathos. You’re going to want to see before they leave,” he explained.

Minnette’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “Do they have any animals?”

He nodded,making a face like it was obvious. “Why do you think I came all this way out to find you? Come on!” he said pulling her forward.

It was rare that Minnette got to see animals from the volcanic islands of Kri’Kori. She’d seen them only once when she was a young girl of just fifty years. Gann’s father had taken them into the port city of Temenrin to trade. She and Gann were exploring the market when they’d come across an exotic pet dealer. Ever the animal lover, Minnette had had the time of her life. The idea of getting to do so again urged her to quicken her pace and it was not long before Minnette was leading Gann rather than the other way around.

“What were they like, Gann?” she asked, desperate to sate her curiosity.

“They seemed alright, a little twitchy. The one who was talking with my father was alright though,” he answered.

“No, no! Not the traders. The animals, Gann! The animals! What were they like? Avian? Amphibian? Mammalian? Reptilian? Details, Gann! I need details!” she enthused.

Gann laughed. “I guess you’ll just have to find out when we get there, won’t yo- WOAH!” He was cut short by Minnette, who had been spurred to run even faster by his words.

“Come on slow poke!” she taunted her friend.

He laughed and quickened his pace and they ran together to the encampment.