My dreams washed away like the ocean waves as my eyes began to flutter open. My body felt soft, my face cold from the breeze but slightly warm from the piercing radiance of the sunlight. My lungs expanded gently as the cold air entered like a steady stream, then, as they began to contract, the smell of roasted meat filled my nostrils.
The bells of the church began to ring, alerting all the children that the freshly cooked meat was ready to be eaten. Slowly raising the upper half of my body, I pressed my hands on the soft blades of grass, as my eyes adjusted to the sight of the wheat fields; my stomach grumbled. I rose to my feet after a few seconds to let my eyes adjust to the world, and then I walked towards the sounds of the bells. After crossing through the fields, my eyes ran across the buildings.
Eventually, they stopped at the church, its dark oak Planks that have clearly gained some age over these past two years, and the Belfry is missing quite a few of its shutters, so you can clearly see one of the nuns from inside the dark oak tower ringing the bell, even from this distance.
"KROVEN."
A young voice yelled from the rock-made fence that sat calmly in front of the church,
His light brown hair sat over his eyes as if it were woven from straight-laced thread. His eyes were a natural grey; they reminded me of the clay we used during pottery classes. His smile was bright, although he was missing a few teeth from a fight he had gotten into a few days ago with some of the other kids at the church. I waved to him, and he gestured with his right hand for me to hurry up. After quite a few seconds, I reached him,
"Nesto, I wish you wouldn't yell so loud," I said with an annoyed tone,
"Sorry, I'm just excited the sisters went out of their way to get you the best lamb in all of Mozoa just for your 15th birthday."
He replied with an earnest tone.
"You would also get the same or more if you showed more interest in your studies, Nesto." I snapped back; he looked down at his feet, his head hung low, and a pouty expression washed over his face.
"Jeez, you're starting to sound like Ms. Elena," he replied, his voice grumbling.
I looked at him and let out a soft sigh. "Come on, let's go eat some of that juicy lamb. Who knows, I might give you some of my leftovers." I smiled at him gently, and he practically jumped, his pouty expression disappearing like the night after an exhausting day.
As we entered the church, it was empty and quiet; you could hear a pencil drop. As we walked into the dining room, shouts came from every corner in a very synchronized manner: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY KROVEN". All the kids from the church, including the sisters, were here.
My face showed a shocked expression and an expressive grin to end it off. I, of course, knew there was gonna be more than a fancy dinner; the room was littered with decorations. There was a pile of different kinds of pastries on the dark oak table, and nine regular dark oak chairs, as well as one very fancy chair that was lined with the fur of a Velvurge that was given to us by a traveling merchant. The only thing they wanted in exchange was a few silver coins.
Nesto was practically drooling while looking at all the pastries on the table. "They look so delicious," He said, his mouth practically wide open.
"They do look quite delicious, don't they, Nesto?" a familiar voice agreed behind us
I turned my head, and Ms Elena was standing there, a gentle smile on her face.
"I think they're waiting for you to say something, Kroven," she said, her face staring back at the rest of the kids.
I bowed my head, "thank you all," my voice soft and respectful.
"Okay, everyone, sit down and get ready to eat," Ms Elena said from behind us.
"Come here, Kroven," she said with her usual soft tone. She led me to the nicest chair in the room, which is usually where she herself sits, as she is the head nun here at this church.
"Are you sure it's okay for me to sit here, Ms Elena?" I said quietly, my face riddled with worry
"Why wouldn't it be kroven?" she said softly as she scooted the chair backwards, a soft smile on her face, as always.
"The other kids will think your picking favorites" I said quietly again "And so what if i am your the best student and worker here by far now sit its your birthday and you will enjoy our cooking" she said with a stern tone but the soft smile still stayed as if stuck there permanently.
I took a deep breath and sat down. Everyone looked at me with excitement. It's usually tradition for the birthday boy or girl to take the first bite, so everyone was waiting on me. I looked down at the metal plate, my dark black hair falling around my face, and my green eyes looking back at me with emptiness. This is the third birthday ive experienced in my entire life, or at least remember experiencing.
I looked back up and closed my eyes. I took a deep, deep breath and let all my thoughts and worries disappear with my last breath. With one swift movement, I raised my hand and picked up the knife, and with my other hand, I picked up my fork. A few pieces of cooked lamb lay on my plate with a side of potatoes and bread. I cut a piece of lamb, which looked dry and rough, but it was quite the opposite.
I cut it with ease and laid it in my mouth, everyone watching me. The lamb, which practically fell apart in my mouth, had a rich and savory taste. It was truly the best in all of Mozoa, and just like that, everyone had begun to feast.