Runaway in Hyrule Chapter Six - Lanternlight Celebration

Instructions

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*Chapter 6 - Lanternlight Celebration°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ A broad-shouldered man stands near the cooking pot, stirring something thick and steaming inside a massive metal pan. His skin is sun-tanned, his beard dark and trimmed neatly. A red bandana keeps his hair pulled back, and his sleeves are rolled up, revealing strong arms dusted with spice and smoke. When he turns, his smile is warm and proud. “Meat curry’s done!” he announces, his deep voice carrying easily over the music and chatter. He lifts the pan with surprising ease and begins serving portions into wooden bowls. People gather around him with hungry excitement. When he reaches me, he pauses with a friendly nod. “First time seeing you around here.” He hands me a bowl brimming with steaming curry. “Hope you’ve got an appetite.” “Thank you,” I say softly. The smell is unlike anything I’ve ever had—rich, savory, and warm with spices that tickle my nose. I scoop a small bite into my mouth. Heat spreads instantly across my tongue—warm, creamy, a little spicy, but comforting. The meat melts easily, tender and perfectly seasoned. It doesn’t taste anything like the simple meals from home. It tastes… alive. I must look surprised, because Kael laughs beside me. “Good, right?” I nod, swallowing. “Really good.” I take another bite, slower this time, letting the flavors sink in. A faint sweetness. A little earthy. A perfect heat that lingers at the back of my throat. I’ve never tasted anything like it. As I’m eating, the older woman from earlier settles beside me, smoothing her shawl over her shoulders. Her gray hair glows softly in the lanternlight, and her eyes sparkle with curiosity. “What about you?” she asks kindly. I look up, startled. “Huh?” “Your story, dear.” She tilts her head, smiling. “Where are you from? What brings you out traveling?” My heart jumps. Should I lie? Or would the truth put me in danger if word reached my father? I swallow, adjusting my grip on the bowl. “Oh… well, I lived in Hateno,” I say, forcing a small smile. “And I decided to travel. Kael is… kind of my guide.” Her eyebrows lift with approval. “Kael is a nice young man,” she says warmly. “Good choice for a travel companion.” Kael blushes a little and looks away, pretending to be busy with his curry. I hide a smile and continue eating. Soon, most of the bowls are empty and people begin to stretch, laugh, and talk louder. The Stable Trotters gather near the center, tuning their instruments—banjo, lute, flute, and a hand-drum. Then the music shifts—brighter, faster, alive. “Celebrating time!” a child shouts, racing across the grass. I blink. “Celebrating?” Kael wipes his hands on his pants and grins at me. “Every night’s a celebration at the stables,” he explains. “Travelers come and go, and most of the time we don’t see them again. So every night, we dance. We just… enjoy it while we can.” “Oh,” I breathe, watching as people rise from the ground. Couples spin, travelers sway to the rhythm, and children clap off-beat while hopping around in circles. Lanterns swing gently overhead, casting warm light across the crowd. The stars shine brightly above the open stable roof, and the cliffs echo the cheerful music back at us. I can’t help but laugh softly, my chest feeling lighter than it has in ages. Kael steps in front of me and extends his hand, palm open, fingers warm in the glow of the fire and lanternlight. His smile is gentle. Almost shy. “Come on,” he says. “Dance with me?” I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Then I place my hand in his. He leads me into the crowd as the music swells around us, and for the first time in my life, I feel like I’m part of something beautiful.