Timestamp: 80 Summer 513AV
It was an exceptionally warm night, like most other nights, but this one was special. He could smell the aroma of Inarta foods, and hear the load buzz that made its way up through the tunnels and caves. Today was Market day and Akule had been waiting 9 grueling days. If in one of his classmates was to ask him "Hey, do you know what we learned today?" he would most likely stare blankly at them and reply Do I know you? Wait..are you in one of my classes? The past days were a blur for him. Most days Akule would be in deep daydream imagining himself at the market only to be rudely awakened by an annoyed teacher. Quite frankly he wasn’t the only one with his head in the clouds. The teachers knew that this day was especially exciting for everyone.
Already Akule could hear people rushing through the many passages Wind Reach had, all flooding into The Inner Warrens on their way to the Market Place. His heart thumped with excitment feeling the electricity through the room. He reached into his pouch and felt around the bottom, his fingertips raked in search of his pinions. When he felt no more he pulled his fist out and spread his fingers. With the free hand Akule pushed a lock of his bright red hair from his eyes view and began counting "1...2...3...4...". he already knew he had 100 Pinions but felt the need to count them again. As Akule continued whispering numbers a group of Inarta children around his age darted by. One of them bumped into Akule nearly knocking every pinion from his hand, but thanks to his quick reflexes he was able to clench his hand back into a fist before no more than 3 escaped. His green eyes quickly darted upward keeping track of each one. Akule must have looked like a chicken dipping below the crowd then lifting his head in the sea of people only to dip down and pick up another pinion. He finally reached the last one and lifted it to his lips. Puckering his lips Akule let out a deep sigh of relief, kissed the pinion and placed it and the rest into the pouch and securely tied it.
Akule looked to the horizon over the people’s heads. Squinting his eyes he tried to make out the path toward the Market Place. Once spotted Akule began making his way toward it. He was excited but did not rush. Carefully making his way through the crowd he couldn’t help but smile. Akule heard girls snickering to his right, their hands raised and fingers pointing to his left. His eyes traced the invisible lines that shot from their fingertips until they fell upon a group of boys huddled in a semi-circle chanting and cheering. Once his eyes fully focused he was able to make the scene out better. There was a group of boys a bit older than he was wrestling and tossing each other around. It all went so quick. The boys grunted and groaned trying to overpower each other until one let up and was thrown to the ground. The group roared and the victor of the match raised both his arms in triumph and screamed louder then them all. All the yelling had toned down to a variety of different laughter’s. Those of the girls to his right and boys to his left. After all was said and done the winning boy reached his hand out, helped the loser up and helped him dust off his back. Akule could tell they must of been close friends, even siblings perhaps, the way they hugged after. His smile transformed from a subtle grin to a goofy smile that stretched from ear to ear. To his surprise the girls laughter began again. When he looked to see what they had been laughing about, still grinning ridiculously, he was surprised to see they had now turned their attention toward him. His grin melted off his face and felt his cheeks heat up. Akule let his head fall and eyes rise only high enough to see where he was going. His face must have been as red as his hair. Shaking the thought from his head he continued walking. He hoped he would see someone he knew even if it was only a little bit and join them for the night. If not he would attempt to make a friend before the day was done. People were in great moods so it shouldn't be that hard to make a new friend right?
