Ficlet: Keeper's Day

[hrhrionastar]

Title: Keeper's Day
Characters: Lucasta Rahl
Length: 514
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: none--very pre-series
Summary: Written for legendland. Lucasta also appears in The Bratty Ghost and The Murder of Lucasta Rahl. This is set on the Keeper's Day mentioned in The Murder of Lucasta Rahl, but there aren't any spoilers for that.

 

Keeper’s Day

“Fresh baked bread!”

“Costumes for Keeper’s Day—get dressed up now and spook your friends!”

“Jellied zillaberries! Sweet and tangy, get some today!”

Laughing, Lucasta Rahl darted through the crowded streets. Everyone was gathered in Dunstan’s main square today, all dressed in outlandish costumes from every part of D’Hara.

Before Lucasta was born, Dunstan had been the capital of its own kingdom, called Mardovia. One of the richer and more populated of the hundred kingdoms, it was a natural choice for Lucasta’s father, Canton Rahl, when he built himself a castle, in the heart of all the now-united squabbling kingdoms. The People’s Palace of D’Hara.

Lucasta looked up at the tall turrets, trying to find her own room’s tiny window. She wished her room looked out on the lake, like her grandmother’s. But the bustling capital city was a charming sight, too, especially today. Keeper’s Day was a popular festival—everyone dressed in costumes, and gave children, like Lucasta, candy.

Best of all, there was no reason for any of them to guess she was the Princess—not dressed as she was, as a ninja from Blacklake.

Lucasta stopped at the candy seller. Tangy zillaberries were her favorite.

“Lucasta!” a little boy about Lucasta’s age called desperately. He was dressed in a heavy white robe, hooded and tightly bound around him, and on his face was an expression of acute discomfort.

“Shh, Tom!” Lucasta hissed, beckoning the boy closer. She didn’t want her father’s soldiers or her grandmother’s remaining loyal acolytes to find her and drag her back to the Palace before she’d had any fun.

Tom was the son of a childhood friend of Lucasta’s mother’s, a woman who had given up her place in the priestesses’ Temple after Canton Rahl’s armies conquered Dunstan, to get married and have children. Lucasta’s grandmother was still de facto head of the Temple, but no one was permitted there now.

At the other side of the market square from the People’s Palace, the Temple was drafty and forlorn. Lucasta glanced at it, and tucked her silver throwing star under her arm to make the customary devout sign her grandmother had taught her.

“What’s the matter?” Lucasta demanded, most of her thoughts on those tangy zillaberries.

“I’m so hot in this outfit, I’m dying here!” complained Tom. “Do you think you could—?”

Lucasta shrugged, and concentrated. If she wasn’t careful, she could freeze Tom to an icicle, but she’d been working on her powers with her grandmother…

Yes! Lucasta opened her eyes. Tom smiled, looking properly grateful.

He even bought Lucasta some zillaberries, as a thank you. Lucasta was just glad she’d decided to dress up as a ninja and not the fabled Snow Monster of Gnoth.

As it was, the cool, dry autumn air whistled around Lucasta and Tom as they dashed from one end of the market square to another.

Lucasta was completely exhausted by the time her grandmother came to collect her. She smiled, clutching her silver throwing star close to her chest.

It had been the best Keeper’s Day ever.

 

Comments

[meridian_rose]

First Creatormas and now Keeper's Day :D Maybe Tom had a close shave there - or maybe Lucasta really does have control of her powers. A lovely interlude that gives us a nice glimpse of Lucasta beyond what we've previously seen (brat, pawn, opportunity) and gives her some depth of character.

[hrhrionastar.livejournal.com]

I actually have a Midlands equivalent for most holidays :)

I'm glad you like it--I wanted to do something a little more light-hearted with Lucasta. (Which is why she doesn't fry poor Tom to a crisp ;D)

[meridian_rose]

Then I look forward to more holidays, Midlands style :D

[16beckyb.livejournal.com]

I always love more Lucasta stories. She's an interesting character.

I'm always trying to catch other fan references in your fics. Maybe I stretch too far sometimes, but does the Snow Monster of Gnoth have anything to do with the Ice Monster on Hoth from The Empire Strikes Back?

[hrhrionastar.livejournal.com]

Glad you like Lucasta--I wanted to do something a bit more light-hearted with her character :)

I'm afraid I just made up the Snow Monster of Gnoth--although, come to think of it, it probably would resemble the Ice Monster on Hoth...

[meridian_rose]

LOL, it reminded me of the Groke from the Moomins, a strange and feared creature that brought Winter in her wake.

[hrhrionastar.livejournal.com]

Don't know if I've heard of that one...

[meridian_rose]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Groke
From the books by Tove Jansson, and the various adaptations thereof :D