Red and the Winter festival part 1

A young man in a long brown coat walked through the winter forest. The man was named Red. He traveled across the land, from the winter continent to the spring valleys. He never used his real name and instead was just referred to as ‘Red’ because of the bright red shirt he wore under his brown trench coat. Red also wore shin high brown boots and tan pants, with the legs tucked into the boots. He had light brown hair and brown eyes. Every so often in the right light his eyes would look dark crimson, this added to his nickname of ‘Red’.

            Red traveled through the winter lands and just made it through the forest when he noticed a sparkling village in the distance. Red was cold and tired and was looking forward to finding some place to sleep and get something to eat. He eagerly walked toward the town. The closer he got to the town the more he noticed all of the little lights and festive looking decorations on each house. The lights on each house reflected off the snow and made the whole area sparkle. Night slowly crept in and the darker it became the more vibrant the village looked. The red, green and white lights shined like a beacon for all travelers. Each house had an old fashioned and cozy look to it, each roof was covered in lights and every door had a wreath of evergreen branches on it.

            The village of lights was so close now. Red was so tired from all the walking he barely made it in through the town entrance. He leaned against a green lamppost and stopped for a minute to rest before he walked through the town to search for an Inn. Red looked up and noticed a hanging sign attached to the lamppost. It read “Yule town”

            “Well at least I know where I am now.” Red said to himself. It saved him from having to ask someone. After resting, Red began walking again. He strode through the middle of town. The town had a cobblestone road that went in different directions through the whole town, little stone paths branched out from the main road and led off to each house. At the center of town was a giant green tree covered in bright lights and decorations. The tree was surrounded by cobblestone, but was standing in dirt. Red assumed the village grew the tree at the center of town, that or they built the town around the biggest tree in the forest.

            As Red made his way through town he saw happy villagers going about their day, they all seemed merry and cheerful. They dressed warmly, but seemed used to the cold and never even flinched when the wind and cold picked up. Red on the other hand retreated into his coat with every freezing gust of wind. Red eventually found the Inn. It was the local tavern and the upstairs had beds for travelers. It was a big building decorated and designed the same as the houses, but this was larger and had big windows on each end of the first floor. Red looked in as he walked toward the door. A fireplace with a roaring fire warmed the area and the patrons ate, drank and laughed. Red pushed the wooden door open and a cold breeze followed him in. no one seemed to notice. Red felt the rush of warm air and let out a sigh of relief.

            He walked up to the bar and sat down. “I’ll have whatever everyone else is drinking” Red told the bartender. This town was so unique, Red hoped the alcohol would be just as unique. The bartender smiled and set down a mug of warm purple liquid. Red took a sip. It was warm, spiced wine and it warmed him right up. “Not bad” He muttered.

            The tavern carried on in a jolly manner and a small band of musicians played festive music. “Is there a celebration or festival going on?” Red asked the bartender. “There is a big one coming up soon, but our town is usually like this. It might be a little livelier tonight though” The bartender said with smile. Red nodded “Thanks, maybe I will stick around then. I will need a bed for tonight, or maybe till after the festival” Red told the Barkeeper. Red paid up front for the room and then paid for his drink.

            It was very late now and Red slowly climbed the stairs, he found his room and used to key to open the door. He stepped in and closed the door behind him. The room cozy, it had a single mattress bed with a basic wooden frame, white sheets and a red blanket. A nightstand was next to the bed with a candle on it. On the opposite side of the room was a small chest for Red to put his belongings. The room was on the small side, if Red sat in the middle of the floor and stretched his arms out on either side of him his fingertips would touch the bed with one hand and the chest with the other.

            Red dropped his small bag of possessions into the chest, snuffed out the candle and went to bed. The bed was so comfortable and he was so tired he fell asleep immediately.

            That morning was the day before the festival. Red had forgotten to ask what the name or purpose of the celebration was, but he put that out of his mind for now. Red stretched and put his brown coat back on and grabbed his belongings. he left his room and locked the door behind him. He walked down to the tavern on the first floor. It was quiet and peaceful, which wasn’t unusual for morning, but it was quite a contrast from the jovial singing and dancing from the night before.

            “Morning” said the bartender. Red turned and smiled. “Good morning. I forgot to ask last night, but I want to know more about your festival” Red said. The bartender smiled “Well, its called Christmas. It’s a word from the old world, no one knows what it means, all we know is it is a time of peace and joy. We decorate with bright lights, lanterns, evergreen branches and we even decorate the tree in the center of town. Its our Christmas tree. The rest of the year we just call it Yule tree and we take down all the decorations and lights. Our homes usually have some lights or some little decoration all year, but its on Christmas time that we truly let loose. For this land it marks the end of the year. Even though we aren’t sure the original purpose of the celebration, today we use it celebrate a year of good will and good fortune. To help make sure the next year is just as good, everyone in town exchanges gifts as we sit under the giant Yule tree. Then we will drink hot beverages and sing. It’s a good time. Tonight is Christmas eve, so there will be a little party then the gifts will be exchanged tomorrow. Then tomorrow night we sing and welcome the New Year” The bartender explained, His face beaming with joy and pride.

            Red smiled “wow, Its pretty good luck that I arrived when I did.” Red replied. Red was on the run from assassins and criminals and hadn’t had a chance to stay in one place for too long. Yule town was far off the normal roads and trade routes and it was so cold, Red doubted desert assassins would show up looking for him. With that kind of peace of mind all he had to do was relax and enjoy the celebration.