Lucas ran out of his house. The sun peeking over the horizon was already on its way up behind the distant mountains. The sun rays coloring the gardens of the surrounding houses, and their colorful fronts. Many kids came out of their houses, some more sluggish than others.

The cobbled path linked with the main street of the town, letting people in the resident area quickly get to the stores, the church and the part time inn, part time adventure hall. In the opposite direction, the path led to the fields and farms. The shapes of sheds, barns and the grown harvest in the distance showing off the town’s pride and joy.

Lucas skipped on the stones, his necklace bouncing on his chest. He took in the brightness of the village. How the sun reflected on puddles of dew, or on the windows of the surrounding buildings, whose curtains were being opened. The numerous trees, flowers and bushes that decorated every inch of Blueren’s streets. Each breath took in the different scents around him, mixing in the familiar scent of each morning.

The main street opened up to him, with the church on the very end of it. The church had been the first building of the town according to Father John, as it was tradition. It had sheltered, fed, taught and been the cornerstone for the growth of the town. Lucas supposed the Goddess’ blessings worked like that.

“Morning, Lucas,” said a voice from his left.

Lucas turned to the sound. Roy was carefully brushing his parted to the side black hair. He wore an elegant vest with a silk undershirt. His collar was puffed up, and he even wore that tucked in handkerchief called a cravat. His pants were exceptionally white, and Lucas bet it was one of those that made dust and dirt go away with a simple brush of a hand.

He pulled out a pocket watch out of his vest, clicking it open. “Hmm, we’re on schedule. Markets are opening, and Randy should be prepared soon enough,” he spoke aloud. He did that a lot, as if he was writing in a notebook. He had told him once that it was something taught by his father, as the mayor had to keep a lot of paperwork and reminders, so it was best to drill it in your head sooner rather than later.

“What’s your charm for the ceremony?” Lucas asked, in a half whisper. Everyone had decided to bring a charm, even if Father John discouraged it. Something about how baubles wouldn’t change the Goddess’ plan, but everyone thought the Goddess surely would be a bit lenient and take them into account.

“The same charm my family has used for the three generations we have been leading this town,” he puffed up his chest and pulled a cylinder out of his pocket. He unscrewed the tip, revealing a metallic quill. Its polished metal glinted under the sunlight. A message was written along the cylinder’s length. ‘Rules as Written’.

“Wow. Sounds really nice,” Lucas let out, impressed, He pulled up his own necklace. “I’m using this charm,” he showed it to Roy.

Roy gave it a careful look. “Oh, it’s one of the spear necklaces sold when the adventurer known as True Spear visited. Yes, I remember them. I’m sure you will be able to become a proper Spearman, maybe even a Champion.”

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Lucas blushed a bit. Roy was polite and sensible, but he was also quite earnest in his treatment of others. He didn’t hold back compliments, even as he spoke with a calm voice. In a way, it made the compliments feel better, as if you were being lauded in a royal court.

Out of the forge came out a red haired, tanned boy. He wore a clean blue shirt with a fur lined brown jacket. Tough pants ,useful at a forge, but still stylish. His hair was put into a short ponytail, and a glowing smile was plastered on his face.

Lucas leaned towards Roy. “Hey, since when does Randy have a twin brother?”

Roy rubbed his chin. “Maybe some kind of secret child? I heard from my father that the blacksmith was quite the adventurer back in the day.”

Randy snapped towards them. “I can hear you two! Don’t make me go over there and hammer some sense into you!” The hammer necklace hanging from his neck bouncing with his screams.

Lucas and Roy approached him. “Oh good, so it’s you. I couldn’t recognize you without soot marks, ripped clothes or enough sweat to make a cow backstep,” Roy said.

Anybody else would think Roy was being mean, but Lucas couldn’t help but give him the reason. It’s not like Roy was lying. Randy tended to focus very hard on the forge, or running around, or beating a training dummy. There was only one reason why he had changed from one day to the other like this.

“Randy, I think Clara will be too busy helping Father John or worrying about her own Blessing to notice how you cleaned up,” Lucas explained.

Randy acted like Lucas had stabbed him, then doubled up when Roy gave an earnest nod. “Lucas makes quite the point. Plus, a man that only cleans when the juggled dishes threaten to break is no proper man. One has to present a good image most of the time.”

Lucas blinked. “That’s quite the saying, though only most of the time?”

“Well, a man must be human. If your loved one can’t accept you will drop dishes sometimes, or need help juggling them, maybe it’s time to find a new loved one.”

Roy was always so mature. He would make a great mayor. Then, his father had also apparently been quite the charmer in his time. Lucas supposed that was the difference with his dad. Dad always said that when his mother entered his life, he knew she was the one.

“Stop talking about love life! I will wow her with my job, then it will be all easy ground,” Randy nodded and started walking towards the church.

Lucas and Roy stared at his back as they followed. They exchanged a glance, already deciding to have a meal at Lucas’ house when Randy ended up disappointed.

Father John waited for them in front of the church. He stifled a sigh at the sight of the charms, but the fight had been knocked out of him long ago.

“Come in, guys. The ceremony is being prepared, but some prayers to the Goddess beforehand won’t hurt,” he advised them. Randy pulled out his pocket an L-shaped piece of metal.

“Here, sir! I saw that your shelves needed some changing of the supports!” Randy offered earnestly.

Father John looked at the metal, then smiled wide. “Thanks, Randy. I believe Clara is having some trouble moving the candles to their spot. Care to help?”

Randy saluted. “O-Of course, sir!” He marched towards the back of the church, moving stiffly.

“Come on, Roy and Lucas. I’m sure the Goddess has prepared proper Blessings for all of you,” Father John ushered both of them inside.