The snowstorm that had raged for several days finally subsided, turning into a beautiful, gentle snowfall. The evening streets of Ethelflad were illuminated with all sorts of lights; shop windows sparkled with New Year's decorations, and street vendors offered the townspeople delicious, colorful gingerbread cookies practically for free. Everything in this city exuded a festive spirit, just hours away from its arrival. Various performances took place on the Great Expedition Square, prepared by talented (and not-so-talented) musicians, actors, and poets; there were even those who invited members of the public to participate in the performance!
A carriage decorated with shiny baubles stopped at the colorful bollards set up on the road by the guards; entry to the square was closed for the new year. General Naver, dressed in his festive winter uniform, was the first to step onto the snowy cobblestones. Remembering etiquette, the man offered his hand to Lady Drake, who gracefully jumped down from the top step. Many prominent figures promised to be at the square on New Year's Eve, but it seems few overcame their desire for warmth and comfort.
The foreign ambassador, who had gained incredible popularity among the people after the events of recent days, laughed heartily as he watched the street performance, where the actors decided to choose Ple’Sen, the jester, from the crowd as an assistant. As a result, the innocent story about a man going into the forest to find a Christmas tree turned into a heroic epic with dragons, demons, fireballs, and villains disappearing in a cloud of smoke. Children running from all over the square clapped happily, demanding more. Even Arandor's silent companion smiled, watching this carefree fun. Now wearing a black fur coat, with his hair washed and braided into pigtails reaching his waist, he looked more like a nobleman.
Meanwhile, the children who didn't go to watch the demonic performance gathered around three wizards launching magical arrows into the sky. Through the combined efforts of the shaman and Sezam, greenish-red streams of energy intertwined and soared into the sky, scattering into colorful dust when they reached their peak. Using magic without permission was, of course, prohibited within the city limits, but when you are the one issuing those permissions, nothing can stand in the way of fun! Smiling conspiratorially, Ment began "molding" a ball of bluish light with his hands. The children, anticipating something unusually exciting, held their breath. The ball suddenly burst, enveloping everyone around them in harmless bluish lights. Now that's what I call real fun!
In the meantime, in the middle of the square, where a small wooden stage decorated with colorful toys and fir branches had been set up, promising activity began to unfold. The bearded Madgerson first climbed onto the platform, settled down comfortably, placing his large drum in front of him. A piercing sound echoed across the square, increasing in speed. Soon, Vishmaster, carrying a guitar, joined him on stage. Bold rattles, which Yashur waved furiously in the air as if he were crazy, added zest to the melody. Heroist sat at the edge of the stage, adding the sounds of his cheerful flute to the music. If there are musicians, there must be a singer, and it didn't take long for one to appear. Rolling across the stage, doing a backflip, Tox shouted at the top of his lungs, "Dance!"
Need we say that after such an introduction, almost everyone started gathering near the stage. Hommi, who had already consumed a couple of liters of good ale by this time, hearing the song, interrupted his story about the battle on the wall, where he and the barbarian heroically fought against a dragon, repeatedly wounding it in all possible places. Although he had already told this story today, the soldiers, and even Loken himself, who had taken direct part in it, listened attentively to the narrative.
- Come on, guys, let's go! – hitting his chest with his fist, on which hung the Order of Courage, awarded to all participants in the battle, roared the dwarf.
- Can you even dance, beer-guzzler? – Loken asked, laughing.
- I?! I fight dragons better than I dance!
- What about drinking beer?
- To hell with you! Now, Dag, as the senior officer, order them to shut up!
After finishing their mugs, the five comrades left the table under the awning, which had kindly sheltered them for several hours.
The cheerful Drakkosha dragged Faile towards the square, who didn't want to dance foreign dances. Naturally, he eventually gave in, twirling the girl in virtuoso movements, causing some ladies to feel envious. It was good that the servant’s mistress, having learned about her service to the city, forgave her sudden escape, promising to increase her salary. But, apparently, she will have to look for a new maid.
Pleased by the entertainment, Ple’Sen grabbed Arandor by the sleeve, theatrically saying "dance!", and then ran into the crowd of revelers.
- Shall we go? – offered the elf.
- I don't dance, - replied the dragon.
- Look, everyone is dancing! Come on!
Watching these two walk towards the stage, Obben even felt sad, thinking how great it would be to be there now, among the joyful, smiling people… but his servant, who had returned with a bottle of wine from Drake's mansion, quickly dispelled those thoughts. If you think about it, one happy person is no worse than many.

A wonderful time, a wonderful holiday, as if magically allowing us to overcome any adversity. Uniting people of all kinds, sometimes ready for any desperate actions, just to protect this invisible magic. Whether they are natural enemies, who were ready to beat each other up yesterday, or ordinary soldiers forced by fate to stand shoulder to shoulder with bandits against the danger looming over them all. What's more, even a foreign merchant possessing untold riches is sometimes ready to commit utter madness, just for something unseen, cherished... what word should be used here? But perhaps it's not in vain that it is so unseen and cherished; let it remain unnamed.

The guard heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Turning around, he saw the heroine of recent events walking towards him and couldn't help but smile. Red-faced with embarrassment, she stopped in front of the parapet, casting a glance at the wondrous city of Ethelflad, from which she herself had only recently returned.
- Have you been watching me often? – she asked, smiling.
- Not really, the storm made it difficult, - replied the man calmly.
Sighing, the woman wanted to wrap herself in her huge cloak out of habit, protecting herself from the gaze of an adult stranger, but then thought better of it.
- It was so fun! But I remember everything vaguely; many things will be a surprise to me!
- You were a good girl; don't worry, - said the guard, laughing.
- Yesterday we played snowballs with the children; I was also a child; it was so much fun, you wouldn't believe it!
- Do you want us to go play now?
- We are adults, - she whispered conspiratorially, giggling.
- Adults, important people have about an hour before the start of the holiday; shall we go?
The most powerful guards, protectors of Great Hreiwood, appointed by the king himself. These men laughed and ran into the street, carelessly throwing snowballs at each other.