Who's They?

[Minoas Stratis]

Wagga Wagga, Australia

It was hard for him to believe he had set on an adventure away from school and home. Although it seemed like an awkward step into the unknown, inside him felt like the start of something good. Minoas was walking along with Briar and Elbio in the countryside of Wagga Wagga, Australia. A week ago, Briar was invited at a hearty meal at the Sanctuary, Minoas' family property, not only to meet his folks but for another reason he had been scheming for days with her, and Elbio as well, who had been staying over to Stratis' property for the holidays. The first phase of their scheme worked as planned. Mrs Strati liked Briar from the first moment she got acquainted with her with the pivotal point being of course when Briar said she liked her cooking.

The second phase was to persuade Mrs Strati to let Minoas and Elbio attend the Festival of Innovative Magic as guests under the custody of Briar. Minoas had no idea what exactly had said Briar to his mother in order to persuade her but it worked perfectly. For the next couple of days, Minoas and Elbio spent their holidays at Briar's place in Wagga Wagga. The hospitality of a werewolf was better than expected. Briar gave them a tour of her property that included a vast open area and her cooking, which was mostly based on meat, was competing that of his mother.
On their third day there, they all equipped their backpacks and they set on foot into the countryside as the festival was really close to Briar's place. The two boys needed an adult in order to attend the festival and there was no better choice than Minoas' sister. He was feeling safer with her by his side as she had saved his butt in the past. Nervousness was building inside him as he was unaware of what he was going to find there. Relying just on a seer's premonitions, he was keeping faith he was to get a clue there about what had happened to his father and why he had been kidnapped a year ago. He had no idea how he was going to find them but he was convinced that the scroll case he was carrying in his backpack and was left to him by his father right before he was taken away, it was going to shed some light to the mystery.

The heat was intense in Australia this part of the year. While walking through fields of dry crops, the sun above them was trying to wear them down but they were all prepared wearing t-shirts, also supplied with lots of water. There wasn't much talking on their way to their destination. Not at least from Minoas who had been preceding from the moment he got familiar with the way they had to take. He wiped the sweat off his forehead as they started climbing a hill. The deafening buzz of cicadas was the only sound of nature accompanying them during their trip. A breeze to cast away the heat of midday would have been a much better companion but not a leaf was budging around them.
"I think we made it." called Minoas from the top of the hill. He waited for the other two as he scanned the view. A vast area of tends, air balloons, flags and other structures were stretching at the plain before them. Faint sounds of a variety of music instruments was audible as well as human voices and growls and roars from what seemed to be magical creatures. Minoas knew that the place was fully concealed from muggles who were unable to hear or see anything.

His excitement was reflected on the smile that stretched on his face. "Let's go!" his excitement prominent in his voice as well. They climbed down the hill, voices and sounds got louder as well as colors and shapes became more vivid. The whole festival area was surrounded by a tall wall of well-trimmed bushes. The only thing that interrupted this perfect green wall was the entrance, an opening with a golden sign as an arc above it that was reading: Festival of Innovative Magic. By the entrance was a kiosk resembling a giant crystal sphere and two big man with crossed arms guarding the entrance, looking half-giants to Minoas. He arrived the crystal sphere kiosk first. There were brochures, magazines and newspapers hanging from everywhere, as well as sweets and treats on the exterior shelves. A creepy, little, old man welcomed him from the booth with a toothless, wide smile.

"Welcome young lad to the Festival of Innovative Magic. May I see your pass please?" he asked him as he leaned over the booth to inspect him better behind his large specs. "Hmm, you do know you need the escort of an adult to be allowed inside, don't you?" said the old man thoughtfully and fixed his specs on his crooked nose. Regardless his tall stature and the recent facial hair he had grown, Minoas couldn't even fool that old man into believing he was an adult. The two big men casted a suspicious look at Minoas from the gate as well.
"Sure, we have an adult with us." he replied confidently to the old man, announcing the arrival of Elbio and Briar by his side.
"Erm, Elbio. We need the tickets." he said to his friend who had been carrying the tickets for all three of them.

 

[Briar Rowan-Cullen]

Briar had not seen her brother for months. they had been communicating by owl but that was all. it was the way it was always going to be seeing as he was at the school and she wasn't. it was also a shame she had had to work over the brightstone weekend. even though she was in the village she had to meet a couple of her charges instead. as it was also their first brightstone weekend of the year and she wanted to see how they were coping in the school as werewolves.
she was not really surprised when Aesalon landed on her desk. often he came to work instead of her home as she lived in two places and work was a lot closer for him than australia or heavens forbid london. she opened the letter and saw it was from minoas inviting her to dinner with his family. she wrote a reply saying she would love to go. and was glad to see the date was a few days before the full moon she would have hated to say no because of her transformation.
she went to the Sanctuary on the arranged night and had a good time with the stratis'. mrs Stratis cooked amazing food and they all ate drank and laughed. some time Minoas brought up the festival that was happening in her town just over a week later. Briar offered to take him and his friend and with his mums permission the had arranged for the boys to stay at her place for a few days before too. she had left that evening alone as she nor mrs stratis wanted them there during her transformation and the next day the boys arrived as planned. the next few days went in a blur. showing them around the property swimming in the dam going into town to get supplies and having bonfires in the evening, dederick often joining them, tough having to head back to london for work too.
on the morning of the festival the boys were up early and exited to go. she made sure they had everything they needed packed. including plenty of water. today they wouldnt be driving as it was concealed on another wizarding property a few over from hers and too many cars would draw the muggles attention instead they would be heading over the paddocks. taking the brooms and quad bikes to the edge of her land they started walking. it wasn't far. but the properties were large and it was a fairly warm day for this area. soon they reached the last hill and Briar saw it below them a chaotic array of tents, music, people some creatures, and colour. she followed minoas down the him not running as she didn't want to leave Elbio behind. soon they were at the bottom making their way around to the orbs that marked the entrance. the man there looked up at her. she had seen him about from time to time he lived on the other side of town and sometimes watched the home games of the local werewolves quidditch team. recognising her he nodded "Briar. good game last one. shame about the snitch i lost fifty galleons, fifty galleons in that" she said in greeting. it was only a local team she played on now, nothing like the big leagues she had done when she graduated but it was a well regarded and it had been until a fortnight back top in the league. she smiled. "hello Davo, next time we will show the boomers what we are made of" she said then looking at the stand she said "anyway it seems like we are holding up the line. I am escorting theise two gentlemen in today. I think Elbio has the tickets and may we have a program" she said passing him the money for the booklet.

 

[Elbio Aiello]

Elbio's holidays turned to be better than what he had expected. Christmas used to be for him a lonely period away from school, when he had to stay at home alone most of the time. His older brother and guardian was busy throughout the day, busy with what an auror could be. Instead of staying alone in an apartment, he accepted Minoas' invitation to his place after getting permission from his brother. The Sanctuary, was a great place. Stratis had created a spacious park for winged horses and griffins and he simply couldn't stop taking pictures of the creatures. Furthermore, Minoas' family was really hospitable and outgoing people regardless the recent, unfortunate event. It was remarkable how many cousins Minoas had and Elbio liked how the whole family was gathering for each meal at the dining room. So many personalities and faces to study and Elbio had possibly took at least one picture of each member in their routine. From all the people in the Sanctuary, Elbio had liked the most Minoas' mother. She looked like a really smart woman who despite her husband's abduction was cheerful for the shake of the whole family. A great cook to say the least. No wonder why the family was spending so much time on meals. The people he wasn't really delighted to meet were Minoas' younger brothers, the twins. Minoas had warned him before hand but Elbio thought he was exaggerating. It turned out that Minoas was right. Perseus and Theseus were just two balls of trouble who took advantage of Elbio's ignorance about their reputation. Being the new person around the property, he was targeted by them more than a few times. Eventually, Elbio was finding himself locked or trapped in many different places of the property or peeved by the manor's poltergeist, after the twins' instructions.

As they day were passing by, Elbio and Minoas were spending most of their time isolated in Minoas' room, trying to come up with a plan and find a way to go to the Festival of Innovative Magic. Minoas had opened up to him and trusted him with the whole story of his father's abduction. He also explained how the scroll case ended up in his hands. Elbio knew a few things from his own brother who was working on the case but he didn't know much detail. He had ordered already three tickets that he received via owl, two for them and one for the adult to escort them. An adult should be with them but they hadn't yet found the appropriate one. Minoas had a lot of adult cousins, some of them familiar with the festival but they had no idea why the two of them really wanted to go there and Minoas wanted to keep that a secret from his family.

Then Minoas referred to a person he was really trusting and was already of age. He came in contact with a girl he was calling his sister although they had no blood kinship and invited her over as well for dinner. There was still a small detail they had to fix. Mrs Strati had already figured out that the two of them were up to something. There were some suspicious glances and there were random visits to Minoas' room with the excuse of bringing snacks to them but Elbio could tell she was trying to find out what they were scheming. Thankfully, the girl named Briar, who was also a professional Quidditch player (more pictures for Elbio to take), proved to be an easy-going and persuasive person. She succeeded in earning Mrs Strati's likeness and convinced her to let them stay at her place while going to the festival.

Leaving behind Stratis' hospitality, Elbio and Minoas became guests of Briar Rowan. Elbio found out that instead of a Quidditch player and a Ministry worker, she was also a werewolf. She had also a nice property including also a dam where they spent most of the hot days swimming. Cool nights were spent by bonfires and barbecues. Briar's cooking was heavily based on meat and proteins, after all she was a werewolf and that sounded reasonable. She shared some stories of her experience as a werewolf by the fire. She and Minoas seemed to be bonded and Elbio could see why when they told the story of their escape from hungry acromantulas. That reminded him a lot about the time when Minoas helped him drag the giant squid out of the lake just for him to take some pictures. It was a dangerous venture which could have costed their lives and so he didn't share it in case Minoas wanted to keep it a secret. He was content to listen to the others' stories.

Two days later they all set off, well-prepared for the festival which was taking place not far from Briar's place. It was a really hot day but that wasn't enough to vanquish his excitement. He might wasn't a Gryffindor and be aligned with the serpents but he had a little adventurer hidden somewhere inside him, really enjoying all this. Unlike Minoas, his excitement couldn’t be contained and was expressed in the manner of babbling. He was waffling about festival's facts from the time they had left the house and he was mostly addressing his knowledge to Briar as Minoas was leading the way silent and thoughtful.
"You know this festival has its roots back to antiquity. Back then even muggles were allowed to attend and enjoy the entertainment. Later, it was decided that magic should stay secret from muggles and the festival was abolished. Eventually, they brought it back as an annual event, open for wizards and witches from all around the world to present their ideas and innovations." he just paused for a moment as he was running out of breath from talking. "Wait a second." he paused the flow of his narration to take his camera out and take a couple of shots of a tree in the distance, standing alone in the golden sea of dry grass. "What was I saying? Ah yes!" he continued talking. The frantic buzz of cicadas around them wasn't bringing him down.
"Nowadays, the festival is conceived as a way to bring together wizards and witches from different cultures and celebrate, exchange ideas and compete in a noble way. The festival lasts a week. I believe today there would be a few duels for as to watch as well as some award ceremonies." he concluded and took a picture of Minoas ascending the hill.

Elbio was going to keep on talking about the festival but Minoas called from the top of the hill that they had reached their destination. Elbio gasped for some fresh air after making it at the top of the hill but the view at the plain bellow rewarded him in the best possible way.
"Yeap, there we are." he confirmed that the area covered with tends and colors bellow them was indeed the Festival of Innovative Magic. He took again his camera to take some pictures but as he didn't want to be left behind, he followed the other two always pausing briefly for another snapshot. The area was surrounded by a wall of tall bushes but there were extra, invisible protective measures established all around the area both against muggles and for the visitors' protection. At the gates were standing two tall, well-built men, casting suspicious looks to everyone passing by.
"Half-giants!" he exclaimed and his camera produced a sequence of 'clicks' as he was taking pictures of the men who were glaring at him.

Slightly intimidated, he turned at the kiosk that was resembling a crystal ball of future-teller. He took some pictures of it as well while Minoas and Briar were talking with the toothless, old man by the booth.
"Sure." he responded and searched for the passes he had in his pockets. Two blue ones for him and Minoas and a white adult pass for Briar. He handed them over to Minoas who was closer to the booth before zooming with the camera on the frowned face of the old man to take a picture of him.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Both Briar and Elbio made it by the spherical kiosk. The old man at the booth whose name apparently was Davo, turned out to be an acquaintance of Briar and possibly a fan. While the two of them were talking, Minoas was handed the passes by Elbio who looked like he was making new 'friends' while taking pictures of the guards. Minoas gave the three passes to Briar who in turn gave them to Davo.
"Sure, here's a map of the facilities and a program of today's events, all free of charge for you." said Davo and that creepy, toothless smile melted again on his face.
"If you could please young man to give me your hand." the old man addressed Minoas but he responded reluctantly.
"Don't worry. I won't bite. Just to give you the pass." Davo explained when he realized the distrust on the youngster's face.

Minoas extended his arm and Davo swished his wand murmuring something incomprehensible. A ring of light glowed around Minoas' right wrist. It wasn't touching his skin, it was hovering a few millimetres around his wrist and was moving along with his hand's movements. "Thank you." he said and studied the bright bracelet of light. The old man casted the same spell on Briar and Elbio and Minoas collected the map and the program from the booth.
"If you please now, Rodney and Reginald will check you for safety reasons. Step towards them one by one each time." said Davo slightly apologetically for the inconveniency, pointing at the large man that were blocking the entrance. Minoas stepped first forwards and the two men drew their wands. The one of them scanned him with his wand from head to toe. The other one focused mostly on Minoas' backpack. He felt his heart beating faster than normal when he remembered the scroll case in the backpack. It seemed that whatever those two men's spell was doing, didn't detected anything extrordinary about the scroll case and let him pass with a nod. He waited for Briar and Elbio to get through the check. The two men casted a glare to Elbio before letting him pass.

"You're quick at making friends Elbio."he chuckled, finally cheering up a bit. The three of them followed a stone-paved path with statues of popular wizards and witches on their left and right. It wasn't long until they path got them on a wide parkway, crowded with people of all kind of ages and ethnic backgrounds. Literally, he didn't know where to shift his attention. There were vendor benches set everywhere, selling whatever your mind could come up with. Artefacts and amulets, rare potion ingredients, domestic creatures from all over around the world, broomsticks, wands and so many other merchandises he wasn't familiar with. What had really drawn Minoas' attention was a middle eastern man who was selling flying carpets, making a demonstration himself. He was hovering on a waving carpet above the ground, maneuvering flawlessly around some tends.

Moving on, the boisterous marketplace gave its place to a spacious field with colorful tents and different kind of shapes. Queues were forming in front of game booths were people could step right up and win an enchanted dragon miniature, stink pellets or other prank objects. He noticed a group of people gathering around something and he followed them to check what was going on. Two middle-aged wizards were duelling in the middle of the field and the public formed a wall around them. Flashes of lights were exchanged between them and the crowd was exclaiming each time a jinx or a hex was countered or hit the opponent. Then chariots carried by winged horses rushed above their heads and drew the attention of the crowd. Young men and women were racing each other using their wands at the same time, casting spells at each other in order to sabotage their opponents.

It was the static roar of fire that distracted Minoas from the race. He turned around and what he witnessed made his dark pupils expand over his grey irises. A chained dragon was under the control of a man who was inviting people to come closer and see the creature.
"Elbozg, the dragon who has scorched and killed over one hundred men. Don't be afraid. His flames won't burn, everything under control." the dragon tamer reassured. Some brave people approached the dragon who breathed out flames on them. Minoas guessed they were cooled down with the use of a charm. The people seemed to be enjoying a warm gust of wind rather than being enveloped by the dragon's inferno. Minoas was going to touch the rough scales of the dragon as the dragon tamer invited them but fireworks erupted in the distance.

He followed the explosions of light in the air, navigating between tends. An old witch surrounded by children was using fire charms on a variety of paper rockets that were launched into the air. The children went ecstatic as a spectacular show of fireworks dissolving into fire birds and fire butterflies raised into the sky. Then the fireworks formed a big golden cloud that rained sparks down to the spectators. Children tried their best to collect the golden bits that the falling sparks scattered in the grass. A small explosion to his left masked the sound of the fireworks unfolding in the sky. It was then that he noticed the cauldrons set in perfect rows with wizards and witches working absorbed above them. Ingredients were add in the cauldrons raising steamy clouds or causing mini explosions, with stirring and chopping occuring as well. They were possibly preparing for some kind of potion making constest.

"Amazing." he breathed still unable to focus on something specific around him. There were so many activities for visitors to engage that he had completely forgot for minutes the purpose of their visit. A circular shadow fell upon him and he turned above him there were dozens of air balloons were travelling slowly above the festival. People on them had probably paid something extra to watch the constests and the duels in the arenas from a panoramic view. Minoas could see at least five large buildings in the distance that were reminding colloseums.
"I would really like to watch a duel guys but we should better-" he paused his sentence when he realized that Elbio and Briar were no longer close to him. He looked around him in the crowd but there was no trace of them.
"Great." he sighed, not sure how he was going to get back to his friends. He was still holding in his hand the map but it was useless when they could have been anywhere lost. He decided to take all the way back. Maybe they were still trailing him and were left behind, disoriented in the crowd.

 

[Briar Rowan-Cullen]

It was a minute before Elbio caught up with them it seemed like he had taken a moment to take photos of the part giants who were standing over the entrance as guard. "if you think part giants are cool you should meet our sisters" briar said to Elbio, our referring to her and minoas, and sisters meaning madlyn and Aspen. To her part giants were not particually remarkable after all her sister and late step dad were part giant. Over christmas she had visited the margeras though, and she had to admit Madlyns boyfriend was huge, though she got a distinct snce that he didn't like her and dee particularly, or at least was wary of them though he seemed good for her. she took the tickets from minoas and passed them to Davo who ripped the end off and handed them back, along with the map that he said she could have for free. he was the kind of man that hung around with the girls a little to much, usually she was not that well targeted because the first time he had tried she had hexed him and she was sure he was a little scared of dederick too. the girls didn't mind because he was nice and not too pushy, just someone who wanted attention, and he did fund the team a fair amount. but he still tried a little like now. "thanks" she said taking them and passing the map to minoas and putting the tickets in her bag. then they were through the gate. stopping for the man to put the right band on their wrists and for them to be scanned, though she wasn't sure what for. also because she was of age and therefor able to take part in the duling competition she had to get her wand weighed on one of the scales. she placed hers on the tray and a pice of paper came out of the back which the attendant read before giving her a queer look and nodding she could pick it up. Odd combination you have there ma'am" he said as she took her wand back. briar smiled and nodded agreement. you don't know the half of it she thought. now ready to enter.
Interestingly the first thing that truck her was the smell. being a werewolf she had a slightly heightened sence of smell but this would have been overpowering to a normal person. it was the smell that was only made by a group of people this large all together in the heat of an australian day. on top of that was the smell of food. all kinds of food. fresh, fried. salty sweet, food for minority groups (she had notices a stand selling ice-poles made from blood). food from near and far. then there was the scent of magic, that was much more subtle but clearly there. it was sharp almost electric, zingy and metallic. after the smell came the sound. there must have been as magical boundry around it as as soon as she had passed through the barrier everything was ten times louder. people talking all different languages. a a few she recognised as being french, spanish, and Chinese and gobbledygook (not that she spoke those languages but she could tell what they were). they passed an odd looking couple she she would swear were speeking mermish, there was also the sounds of animals scurrying and moving, squawking and peering. the sounds of ezplosions and spells, stall keepers showing their wares. then above everything came the raw of a dragon.
thst was the direction she headed following minoas. looking around as there was just so much to take in. fireworks and flying carpets, pumpkins and pufskins. she kept moving forward not that good at menuvering in crowds. she reached the dragon and saw minoas was there, and Elbio was a little behind taking photos of something. she saw dragon breath flames on a group of people who came away unscorched. she looked up at the creature not in awe like many people were but examinong it. it muct be part of her that worked in the ministry doing it even on her day off. he seemed healthy enough and not miss treated. "wow, nice creature you have there where did you get him from" she asked the man looked at her in disbelief. "and what does a what's a pretty young lady like yourself want with a dragon? bet you dent even know what bread he is" she asked. why did she get this so often with guys. she wasnt that pretty and surly the scars on her face gave away a little that she might know about animals "define a girl like me?" she said rolling her eyes. did she really look that weak. "I was just curious" she said answering the first question. for the second she looked up at the beast making sure she was correct. "he's a cross breed, half Hebridean Black, and half finnish fireflame, though i suspect there is also a spot of opaleye in him to give him her colour" she said. she could tell that the man was impressed. "very impressive, you are right of course, his grandmother was mix opaleye, hibridean and fire ball, a beautiful dragon in her day. I have a breading centre in the alps, heres my card" he said handing her a business card that she put in her pocket. she went to move on but realised that minoas had vanished and she couldnt see Elbio either. great, that's what you get if you give me the roll of responsible adult" she looked around not sure which way to go. she picked a direction ar random and sa she was headign towards what seemed to be a ring where some of the duels were held. her eyes were pealed now looking out for the boys. what would she tell mrs Strati if she returned home without them.
a bang caught her attention. fireworks. she looked up just as the next firework exploded. it seemed they were bing set off to make the start of the days tournament. it seemed today was man vs beast. it would be interesting to see what kind of animal they would be brining on that day. she headed towards the arena thinking maybe it would also attract minoas and then together they could find Elbio. she was lucky. she made her way along the path and saw the much welcome face of minoas heading the other way. she pushed through the crowd. feeling claustrophobic by all the other people around her. "Minoas." she called as she drew nearer until she finally reached him "thank goodness you're here. is Elbio with you anywhere?" she asked worried. although she could see he wasn't. maybe hopefully he was waiting somewhere whilst minoas looked for her.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

He started looking around, obviously lost in the crowd. People were passing by in hurry but he couldn't recognize among them Briar's red hair. "Sorry, I'm so sorry." he apologized as he turned around and collided with a man who was hovering in front of him the sculpture of a phoenix made of ice. The man had lost his focus and the ice sculpture fell on the ground smashing in ice shards. "So sorry, really." he continued apologizing as the man who looked disappointed at the ice shards scattered at his feet. Fortunately, the crowd drifted Minoas away from the scene who was feeling really embarrassed already. Trying to shook away the thought of being the one to blame for the destruction of that ice sculpture, he tried to focus on what could have appealed the most to Briar and Elbio and caught their attention. The roar of the gigantic dragon in the distance reminded him of exactly what could have drawn Briar attention. He moved against the crowd to reach back to the dragon tamer and his dragon, hopeful that Briar would be there. He didn't have to search for her as he heard her calling him. He looked through the crowd and in the end he recognized her scarred face and her red hair.

"I'm here!" he shouted as he made his way to her. There was too much noise from the conversations around them and from the roaring dragon which was spitting fire now and then to make matters worse. "I thought Elbio was with you." he replied and his heart sunk when he realized that Elbio wasn't by her side. He looked around them quite concerned. The place was enormous and Elbio so enthusiastic that he could be anywhere taking photos. Minoas unfolded the map he had in hand and quickly checked out the locations marked on it.
"Okay. Let's hope he'll be there."he said and folded again the map. He invited her to follow him as he meandered in the crowd. They followed a few signs until they made in front of a gate, extending a tall, cage like fence. The sign was reading 'Magical Creatures Zoo'. Minoas hoped that Elbio would have been drawn there. He remembered that his favourite topic to take pictures were magical creatues.

Thanks to the glowing rings around their wrists, Minoas and Briar were able to enter the festival's zoo without paying extra money. The exhibit included smaller creatures at the beginning like augureys, phoenixes and demiguises to reveal bigger cages of erumpents, chimeras and manticores. It had also an exhibit of marine creatures where Minoas thought that Elbio would be there. However the Slytherin was nowhere to be seen close to the tank of gryndilows and giant squids. He checked again the map carefully. There were at least five stadium like locations for contests, each one of them seperated by marketplaces, tends and parks. It would be impossible to find him by just visiting each place. He looked for anything else on that map that could have drown the attention of a photographer but everything seemed equally winning. "I thought he would be here. He has a thing of taking pictures of magical creatures." he explained to her why he led her there. "Maybe we should head back to the marketplace and wait close to the entrance." he suggested, thinking that maybe he was going to consider the same thing and be waiting them there.

 

[Elbio Aiello]

Elbio avoided taking any more photos and he just let the old man cast that ring of light around hir wrist. He was used to the whole process of being checked before their access to the festival. All of them were checked for safety reasons. With so many people gathered in a specific area, it could attract the attention of malicious people. Getting back his camera after being checked by the half-giants, he passed as well the gate. Unlike Minoas and Briar, he had attended the festival before so he didn't really get carried away by the stimuli of the festival, like the other two did. He took his time though to get pictures as always. He was intending to try and get some good captions. Maybe he could sell them to a local newspaper covering the event.

He knew they were there for other reason than having just a good time but he didn't ask how or from where they were going to start searching. Minoas was leading the way so Elbio guessed he had a plan. He was getting excited as some of his pictures looked pretty good until his camera's lens zoomed on something, peaking his interest. At the end of one of the roads which were branching around him, there was the gate of a zoo of magical creatures. Minoas' and Briar's presence was wiped out of his conscious as he strayed away from those two like a hypnotized moth to the flame. The variety of magical creatures in the zoo was remarkable. Soon he found himself taking pictures of erumpents and other beasts you could rarely see. He was taking photos ceaselessly until the intense heat took its toll on him.

He paused his activity that could continue for hours and found sanctuary at the shade of a tree. He just then realized Minoas' and Briar's absence. It wasn't going to be an easy task to find them in such a big area so he tried to use logic. To him the most logical choice was to return back to the main gate. They could have went all the way back and search for him. He left the zoo of magical creatures and took the road passing through the market place. The road was leading back to the entrance but his need for something cool and refreshing led him straight to an ice-cream cart. Forgetting for a moment the fact he was lost, he browsed the different flavors of ice-cream. In the end, he paid almost half the money he had with him to buy a never-melting bucket of all the flavors available. It was so hard to resist to ice-cream and he was curious to try flavors like cactus or blood. Well the last one maybe he wasn't going to try it out but he had included it as well into the freezing bucket he had to embrace it to carry it.

He took a spoonful of his favorite creme brulee flavor and let it melt in his mouth. Now that he was revitalized from the summer heat, he changed his mind and decided to go back to the zoo. As he was gulping more of his ice-cream, he started thinking about the others not staying with crossed arms. If they were going to search for him, Minoas would have thought the zoo as the most likely place to find him. He entered back the area with the animal exhibits and wandered around a bit. It wasn't long until he found both of them looking for him.
"Hey guys!" he beamed as he reached them.
"Want some ice-cream? Mexican chilli chocolate is so good." he offered and flashed two extra plastic spoons for them to scoop from the bucket full of ice-cream balls.
"Oh right, the mission." he said and conscripted his seriousness. "Better go to the Sundial Plaza. It's less crowded for us to strategize." he suggested and this time he was the one to lead the way.

Unlike most locations in the festival, the particular plaza was the centre of peacefulness. A fountain of merpeople was located at the centre, water pouring out of their tridents in the exagonal pond surrounded by rosebushes but apart from this and a large, golden sundial there were no other attractions. Marble tables shaped like large mushrooms with their toadstools seats were scattered around the fountain and the sundial. Only a few people were around resting or playing magical chess. Elbio guided them to the nearest mushroom table. He placed the bucket on it, letting the other two to have as many scoops they wanted and sat down on a toadstool.
"Okay!" he said and rubbed his now free hands.
"What's the plan, mr mastermind?" he asked and looked at Minoas, taking a spoonful of some vanilla and chocolate bits flavor.

 

[Briar Rowan-Cullen]

her heard sunk when minoas said that he had thought Elbio was with her. "last time i saw him he was with you just as we came in" she said realising that it was ages ago now and he could be on the other side of the festival by now. she sighed. this was starting to look hard. she watched as her brother took his map and examined it pointing to a spot that was in a different colour. it was labelled "Magical Creatures Zoo" she nodded. hopefully he would be there, if not at least it would be interesting.
Briar followed minoas as he headed towards the zoo. she was good at navigating landscapes and places she hadn't been before, but not places so cramped with people and not by using maps. her childhood dint need maps. She had seen many of the animals to begin with at work. though as she headed deeper into the enclosures. she was amazed by what she saw. a chimera, a erumpent, a manticore. these she had only seen in books and pictures, she had heard the stories of the older employees of her department, a couple had had to deal with these creatures. she would love to but her passion was for werewolves. she only went in the field when there was too much going on for the usual agents. "wow isn't it beautiful" she said as she watched the chimera. she was too hooked on the creature she even forgot momentarily about looking for Elbio. at minoas suggestion she knew he was right, but she wanted to stay here near these strange beasts for a moment longer. however being there made her feel what it would be like to be stuck in a glass enclosure like that.
The sound of a familiar voice behind her drew her back to the moment. she felt a lot lighter when she realised who it was. "Elbio. thank goodness." she said glad that the boy was there and eating ice cream. she looked at the ice cream and felt her stomach rumble. she wasn't usually a big fan of ice cream but in the festival atmosphere and she felt like it now. "thanks, I think that one looks interesting, can it?" she said taking a spoon and asking permission before trying some of one that was a mix of bright red and green. she took a small spoon full of it. "I think interesting is about right." she said. before trying one that looked like mint choc chip. she listened as the boys came up with a plan. "that sounds good. we can stop at the stand selling multi-way glasses just outside so if we loose each other again we can still communicate. she said. they headed out towards the clearer courtyard stopping only so she could buy three small mirrors and gave one to each of the boys, they would be able to talk if they split up or lost each other again.
they reached the plaza. and took a seat on one of the mushroom seats. they were actually rather comfortable. "lets look at the map. and see where we should start" she said gesturing to the table where they were sat at, even without a map she knew that the place was large and would take a week to search. they needed a plan. "any ideas min?" she asked. this was his idea and he always seemed to have a plan.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Desperate thoughts were darting through Minoas mind on how to find Elbio again. Even casting sonorus to yell his name in the crowded sounded like a tempting one when they could be searching for him for hours. Briar was first to spot Elbio who called for them as he approached them.
"Where have you been?" he asked a little bit frustrated but the smile of relief didn't take long to appear on his face. Briar was the adult there but Minoas was feeling responsible for both of them. They could be experiencing all that (especially Elbio) as recreation time but Minoas was restless inside. He had no idea who they were looking for. Professor Le Fey's vision didn't reaffirm tha the man she saw was an ally or a potential enemy.
This and the feeling of someone actually following them, had him on edge.
"Ice cream? Seriously?" he frowned when Elbio arrived with the huge bucket full of ice cream flavors.
He took the spoon he offered him but didn't try like Briar. His stomach felt like it had turned into a strand full of knots. No way he could eat something at the moment.

Glad they were all back together, they followed Elbio who seemed to be coordinating finally to the task in hand. He offered to take them to a more suitable place to discuss what would be their next move. On their way to a quite plaza, the stopped at a stand selling multi-way glasses/mirrors. It was actually a great idea of Briar as the could communicate with each other even if they end up lost. The plaza turned to be the most suitable place for them to settle down. The mushroom tables and seats looked like drawn from a fairytale and the water from the fountain was bringing some dewiness to the three of them. They found a mushroom table and Minoas unloaded his backpack to take a bottle of water. He set the map on the table and unfolded it for all of the to see. He scanned the different locations presented with different shades of colors and thumbnails. The way he was seeing it, they could just split up and seperate the festival's locations into subsets of three, one for each one of them.

"Alright. In order to save some time I think it would be better to split up and cover different areas." he began saying while checking the locations in order to group them.
"I'll take the locations at the right part of the map. Briar, you could take the middle ones and Elbio the left ones." he tried to include equal amoung of locations for each one of them to investigate. A fair share.
"Remember we are looking about a man. It could be of any age and if Professor Le Fey's vision is right, he's carrying a staff instead of a wand. Today he'll be probably wearing a long cloak and a pointy hat of maroon color" he reminded the clues, feeling more and more rediculous with each word he was pronouncing. He just then realized that their clues were so vague. Hundreds of people could be carrying staff with them and wearing maroon cloaks. It was a universal event after all. "I recommend that we should meet back here in a couple of hours and see if we have made any progress." he suggested while checking his watch.

His grey eyes widened a little bit when her realized it was already two o' clock in the afternoon. Time was flying by so quickly.
"So we should back here around four o' clock. If anything happens out of the normal flow of our plan, we lost our way or anything, we should be able to communicate through this." he pointed at his own multi-way glass/mirror.
"Any questions?" he asked and sat down on his seat slightly more relaxed taking a spoonful of a red scoop. It had a copper like taste that made him grimace.
"Was this blood flavor?" he asked Elbio who looked like he had included in his bucket a whole variety of peculiar flavors.

 

[Elbio Aiello]

"No, no, no! Don't try this one! Ah, you did!" he was too late to prevent Minoas from trying the blood flavor ice-cream.
"How was it?" he asked and unconsciously copied the same expression Minoas had. Elbio stopped fooling around and listened to Minoas' plan while taking scoop after scoop of ice-cream. Although not the kind of plan he was expecting, splitting out and search sounded better than staying together. In this way they were going to save some time with no fear of getting lost. Briar's idea of two-way mirrors was a nice one. Elbio memorised the details of the man they were looking for. It was weird to rely on someone's vision. Elbio could see Minoas questioning his own plan but maybe he had no other choice but support it. Feeling a lot better now that he had almost emptied the bucket full of ice-cream, he took a bottle off his backpack and took a few sips while Minoas was showing them on the map which locations they were going to take over.
"You got it bro." he replied and put the bottle back to his backpack. He had another careful look of the map and got the backpack over his shoulders.

"Alright guys. Meet you here in two hours. Good luck!" he wished to both of them and left for the closest location he was assigned to visit. With no ice-cream bucket keeping busy his hands, he was holding again his camera with its strap around his neck. He was taking random pictures now and then but he was paying attentions to the signs he was finding on his way in order to make it to the race course. This was going to be his first stop. Not exactly the kind of race course muggles were used to. This race course looked more like a giant chasm with stands at each side. People on chariots carried by winged horse had to race along series of floating traps and obstacles as well as each others spells as they were allowed to use magic and prevent their rivals from winning. Elbio had watched these races last year when he had visited the festival with his brother in Jordan. He made it to the stands were people were waiting for the race to start. Elbio looked around him for the kind of man they were searching.

Maroon cloak and hat, staff in hand. There were a lot of wizards and witches holding staffs. In some countries they preferred them over wands as they looked more intimidating. He used to zoom with his camera at the opposite stands at the other side of the race course and search there as well. A loud clatter and scarlet sparks in the air announced the beggining of the race. Beautiful winged horses flapped their wings, bringing behind them golden chariots with wizards and witches on them sending flashed of light to each other. Elbio's attention unavoidably shifted on the race. The witch on the lead slashed the wind with her wand and launched chains to slow down her opponents' horses. He joined the crowds exclamations when the chains wrapped around the wings of a horse of another participant and knocked him out.

 

[Briar Rowan-Cullen]

Briar watched as minoas took a spoon of the red ice cream. she saw his face before anyone could say the flavour she took a spoon of it. it was a salty coppery taste blood. she had tasted it from time to time when she was younger and she liked almost bloody meat. she did take a spoon of the chocolate one to cover the flavour before minoas said his plan. they were splitting up she looked at the map of where she was covering. it seemed to have two arenas and a lot of markets in the middle. it sounded like the best plan, minoas seemed to be better at planning now than he was in his first year. she looked at the boys and nodded "okay. any information use the mirrors. any problems do the same. see you here in two hours if not before. good luck" she said.
she watched Elbio go. "I hope this intel is right." she said she did not trust seers. not because she thought they were fake. quite the opposite really. because she thought they knew too much. too much and didn't say anything other than in riddles. the last time she had a run in with this particular seer she remembered that she sent her a book for christmas then hinted that people would find out she was a werewolf. they did.
she smiled at minoas before she left the courtyard. deciding to start at one of the arenas and then head towards the other via the markets. she kept her eyes open as she walked towards the arena. there were a lot of people in maroon. people kept apparating here and there, some in maroon some in other colours. people were carrying wands, staffs, bags, anything. finding someone in maroon with a staff would be impossible, or at least it would be impossible to find the right person. another stall caught her attention. it seemed to have many pairs of binoculars on it though she knew from her quidditch days were onmiocilars. with many functions that let her speed up slow sown and re-watch what she was seeing. she pourchased a pair and put them in her bag before continuing on her way.
she reached the first arena and entered showing her white band and being sent right in. whatever ticket Elbio had get them it seemed to be one of the best ones. as other people were lining to get in. she found a bench near the back where she could see most of the arena. opening her back she took out her omnioculars. one look at the ring and saw that it was animals. there were people praiding animals around the arena. a group of people walking in three headed dogs. a froup with winged horses, some with kappas/ it seemed like it was a contest on the best groomed animal thankfully it meant she was able to examine the rest of the crowd. there were people in maroon every here and there, and there were many of them carrying staffs. it looked like it was people in the muddle east who prefered staffs to wands. she looked back at the arena. it seemed like the initial inspection was done. and it looked like the owners were doing some kind of dresage on the winged horses in the air. she felt sorry for the animals, they should be flying free not playing party tricks. she couldnt imagain her family ever doing that. deciding that it was a lost cause she left.
making a move into the marked she looked there were people selling all sorts of things. amulets, Cachapas, forever clean shirts, gadgets with cogs so small they seemed to be a blur. then she came across a square marked off. not an official arena but a mini one. there was a centaur there and a group of targets all ad different distances. and arrows and bows. people were having a shot. she could tell they were not practiced in archery. she joined the line a couple of minutes wouldnt hurt. eventually it was her turn. the first target was easy. actually they all were she gotthem each dead centre. everyone in the crowd was watching. even the centaur seemed impressed. have a go with the moving one he said she hit that east. she loaded the arrow again closed her eyes and hit the movign target. it was fun to show off every now and then. and archury was one thing she had a heap of practice in. "thankyou" she said to the centair in the centaur language before heading off. she kept going. at the sound of hooves beind her she turned and saw him coming towards her. "How do you know herd? and what are you looking for" he asked. she smiled and replied to him in the same language. "I am Rowan my family taught me, i come from the louget lands in europe." she said "and i am looking for a man in a maroon cloak and hat holding a staff" she said. the look on the centaurs face was that of disbelief. "Well rowan good luck with that. many people are wearing maroon. they are people who are working here. see all of us are wearing maroon." he said gesturing to a maroon strip of fabric he had around his waist. "thank you" she said. realising how once again the seer had messed up. the centaur turned and left and she turned and continued on her way realising that once again the seer had not been telling the whole story, and talking in riddles.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Minoas scooped a coconut flavor to clean the blood taste from his mouth. He thought that blood flavor should be only available to vampires and not be sold to humans but he didn't bother himself with any further, for his plan was mattering now the most. Minoas wished he had a better one or someone else had a better plan for him. He could sense the doubt his companions had upon hearing his rediculous plan but he had nothing else for them. At least they both looked eager to follow it and that boosted him with some much needed confidence to believe in it.
Elbio was the first one to depart and follow the plan. He hoped his Slytherin friend wasn't going to be distracted to much and look for anyone close to the description of Professor Le Fey.
"I hope so too. See you in a few hours." he said before Briar heading to the locations he had assigned to her. For some reason he was trusting her to do the job well, unlike Elbio who could be taking pictures all day long.
He gathered his staff back in his backpack and let only the two-way mirror in hand in case he wanted to communicate with the others. He threw the bucket of metled ice-cream in a bin and left the plaza as well.

He had chosen the area he was going to investigate randomly. He passed through a stall market trading rare potion ingredients. He didn't pay much attention to the merchandise but to the merchants behind their stalls. Most of them they were wearing garments of maroon color and they were a couple of them who were holding a staff, coming from an african country but they were lacking the pointy hat or the cloak. He left behind him the stall market without finding a man matching the description at hand so he moved on to the next location which was an open arena with stands made of stone. There was hardly any seat left for him but he managed to squeeze next to an obese wizard with a handlebar moustache and a chin puff. To wizards where in the arena covered with dirt. They weren't exactly dueling. Instead to ethereal forms of smoke and light were attacking each other. Minoas then realized he was watching a battle between patronuses. It was a custom in southern european countries and he wasn't expecting to see this there. A silver cobra tried to sink its fangs on the massive body of a silver bear. The bear patronus avoided the cobra's fangs and countered back with its broad paws. Minoas didn't pay much attention at the battle between the patronuses. He had spotted enough people around him matching the description, most of them were workers of the festival, offering in some way their service to the visitors. The most of them there were women though. Two men were at the scene as well, the one being the referee but nowhere close to the hat and the staff characteristics. Having missed most of the battle by searching among the crowd, the bear patronus stamped with its front legs the cobra patronus to the ground and with a cloud of silver smoke, the cobra vanished. The commentator bellowed the name of the winner but Minoas had already stood up leaving the arena disappointed.

His next stop was a circular stage with seats in front of it arranged in rows. Minoas read the sign at the entrance of the location and his heart pounded with excitement. It was a competition about self-invented spells, an activity he enjoyed a lot that he was considering to work as a spell crafter. He set aside the task in hand and stepped into the scene, finding a seat as closer to the stage as possible. He spent over a half an hours there watching the competition. From time to time, he was casting looks around him but he was mainly focused at the spells presented by wizards and witches all over the world. He made several mental notes for future ideas while drawing inspiration from what he was witnessing and applaused for the winner in the end who had created a spell that copied the material composition of objects and was attributing it on another object. The wizard presenting this spell, demonstrated by copying the composition of a stone and then gaving this composition to his own skin which became stony as well. The man was a genius in Minoas' eyes. He would have gone for an autograph but the time on his wrist watch suggested that he should move one.

With disappointment all over his face, he fend off away from crowdy places. He strolled a path surrounded by row of trees but he kept his gaze lowered to the ground. He hoped that Elbio and Briar had a better luck than him but even if they had and they were going to find the man they were looking for, what they were going to ask him? It looked impossible to him. There were so many people, thousands of them currently at the festival that their chances to find the right person were almost minimal. His stubborness however and his pride weren't allowing him to give up. Luck was something that could shine bright even at the last moment and he was going to exhaust even his last moment at the festival. Music awakened him from his thoughts. It was a familiar sound that triggered Minoas curiosity to find the source of the music. A greek theater appeared behind a cluster of trees, where the tune was coming from. He could distinguish the familiar sound of a stringed instrument accompanied by percussion like tambourines later joined also by a pan flute. Minoas appeared at the top of the descending stands and looked down at the stage where a few musicians were rehearsing. It was possibly a band, each one of the musicians holding and a different instrument. There was a woman with a lyre, a violist, a man with a gaida, someone else was playing the pan flute, a young girl was dancing around while beating the tambourine and there was also a familiar face playing a kithara, an ancient stringed instrument.

"Orpheus!" he breathed Minoas as he recognized one of his cousins as the player of the kithara. It was him mainly playing, along with the pan flute and the tambourine, probably rehearsing to play the tune later to the public. Minoas stayed immobilized, his mind ordering him to run and hide before he was seen by his cousin but his body was paralyzed as if the tune was having some magical influence on him. It was first the violist that spotted him at the top of the stands. One by one the members of the band turned their attention on him with his cousin last, stop playing and standing up from his seat surprised.
"Minoas? What are you doing here alone?" he took a few steps forwards. It was then that Minoas reacted instantly. Afraid that he would have to explain everything to his cousin, he turned around and started running. The last thing he wanted was family members messing up with his plans.
"Minoas! Wait!" he didn't turn around to see if his cousin was right after him. Running away, he reached an area where tends were scattered around a field. He entered inside a purple and green tend from its back entrance, hoping that if his cousin had followed him, he wouldn't have seen him. He tried to catch up his breath as he stepped backwards deeper in the tend, his attention fixed at the spot where he had entered.

His hips bumbed on something and he turned around to see what it was. His reflexes ordered his hands to save a crystal sphere, preventing it from falling over the table it was placed on and smash on the ground. With the crystal sphere safe in one hand, he balanced the table he had bumped on with his other hand, having a look at the interior of the tend he had took refuge. Crystal spheres were everywhere on the shelves around. Tarot decks with different depictions were also around along with boxes of tea collections. The smell reaching his nostrils was reminding him of something but he couldn't quite bring it into his head. He heard a voice coming from the next room of the tend and he wondered if he had entered inside the tend of a future teller or someone that was selling divination related stuff. Still holding the crystal sphere he almost dropped, he held his breath as he sneaked into the next room. It was the stall of a shop facing a road where people were passing by. Shelves were also surrounding the stall with merchandise related to divination and a woman was facing the road and offering her service to her customers in front of her stall. "Professor Le Fey?" questioned Minoas as he took a step closer to confirm his suspicion that he had entered incidentally the tend of Hogwarts Divination Professor.

 

[Professor Elvera Le Fey]

Elvera was glad that she had managed to get a stall at the festival. she had arrived early in the morning and had set up the stand. she had managed to get a stall, and one in a good location at that. her tent was facing one of the arenas. one that was currently showing a large show of a play that was a wizard version of a muggle play romeo and juliet. which had a wizard and muggle falling in love. unfortunately she had been too busy to watch it. in fact she was happy to have been rushed off her feet. she was even more happy to have Sabrina working with her. although her good friend was now having a half hour lunch break. "which pack would you like" she asked a lady who was looking at the tarot cards. "have a shuffle of them. and see if any feel particularly at home in your hands" she said handing the lady a set. a noise behind her drew her attention. not turning around called. "sabrina. whist you are out there please may you get some more of the crystal balls from the shelf on your way though we have just sold a lot" she said. however when the voice from the back room wasn't Sabrinas she turned. "minoas? what are you dong here?" she asked. realising that she knew the answer. "I need to talk to you. but we have to wait until Sabrina comes back to guard the stall. in the mean time make your self comfy there. is a few arm chairs in the room to the left" she said. the room to the left was set out for readings armchairs facing each other, one on one side and three on the other, the one in the middle slightly further forward than the others with a table in between. this table contained a crystal ball, a deck of tarot cards and some assorted tea cups, there was a fireplace on the wall that was filled with a large teapot, and a fire that was giving of a scent of incense. the tent was able to hold such a room as although it looked like a small tent made of deep purple velvet and edged in gold it was like many wizarding world tents filled with magic.
it was a few minutes later when she heard Sabrina arrive back. "Sabrina, Did you have a good lunch" she asked. "do you mind holding the fort for a minute Sabrina. I need to have a talk with someone in the reading room" she said before giving the gentleman who had just bought a box of tealeaves from his chance, and seeing Sabrina at the front she headed back to the back Reading room. "minoas, I have some more information for you" she said taking a seat at one of the chairs

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Minoas was expecting to see an angry or at least surprised Professor Le Fey turning around to face him. After all, he had entered her tend uninvited. Instead, she reacted calmly as always. She looked like one of her many visions had warned her about his arrival. Baffled, he stood their looking at her with the crystal sphere still in his grip. She suggested to wait for her in the back room as she had something to say. Curious to learn if it was something about those visions she had a few weeks ago in Hogwarts' library, he returned back to the room he had came for and wait for her. He couldn't just sit down and wait. Instead, he started walking around the room, navigating among armchairs and tables, swapping the sphere from hand to hand. He decided to just let it down on a table when he almost dropped it, deciding not to mess around when she could be offering much needed help. Professor Le Fey had assisted him more than he knew. Without her, he wouldn't have learnt about the festival and the fact that someone else who could help was there. Still, he couldn't trust completely her psychic powers. They were to vague and could have a different meaning from that he was comprehending.

He started growing impatient as he was walking circles around the furnitures and he thought that maybe he was wasting much valueable time. He casted a look at his wrist watch and realized he running late for the appointment he had set with Briar and Elbio. He was ready to sneak out of the tend in the same way he had sneaked in, when the divination professor appeared into the room. Mentioning that she had some extra information for him, any thoughts of leaving vanished instantly. "Did you had another vision professor?" he asked and this time had a seat. Perhaps the power from the scroll case had channelled in her, giving her more visions days after their encounter in the library. "The description you had offered me was so generic. I mean, the whole place is full of people dressed in maroon." he tried not to show his doubt about her powers. He just needed something more tangible so his journey there wouldn't go in vain.
"You are also dressed in maroon." he pointed out as he noticed she was also wearing garments of that color.

 

[Professor Elvera Le Fey]

Elvera who had been rushed off her feet all day was glad for an excuse to head out of the front and sit down. she had not wanted to leave Sabrina alone and wander around the market for any longer than necessary, not because she didn't trust her. but because she felt slightly guilty that the stall was so big and didn't want to subject her to the full amount of it. thankfully by now things were starting to slow down. so it wasn't too bad.
she entered the back room glad that minoas had decided to say. as soon as she entered she heard him ask if she had another vision. before she said anything she poured herself a cup of tea and offered some to minoas. "yes and no. It took a while but i managed to see the original one more clearly"she said as she sat on one of the armchairs. her feet thanking her for the moments rest. "first I am sorry about the vague clue before. maroon. that was undoubtedly not useful." she said having a sip of her drink before continuing. "every year the organisers pick a colour for the staff. this years as i am sure you will guess was maroon" she said "the people employed by the festival as security, officials and other jobs have to wear full maroon. this like me who are working on a stall, preforming or something similar have to wear something maroon" she said gesturing to the maroon headband she was using to hold her hair back. a new addition to her usual slightly gothic style which for the sake of the festival had developed a slightly gypsy tinge, she had learned years ago from her grandmother that people were far more likely to buy divination things of people that looked the part than someone in a business suit, like the people next but one to her were dressed in (with maroon ties) selling smart new spell books.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Definately he wasn't in the right mood for a tea. In addition, the day was too warm for a hot beverage but Minoas accepted the cup of tea not wanting to offend her. He took just a sip of the aromatic tea and let the cup on the coffee table in front of him. He didn't disturb her with extra questions. He just let her talk and tell him what news she had for him. He was ready to say to her that there was no reason to apologize for giving him vague information. Her input had helped him so far. He was there, wasn't he? He just needed a little something to point him to the right direction. It now made sense about the maroon color he had so much relied on.
"So the person I'm looking for works here or at least is part of this festival." he made his own conclusion when the professor explained what the maroon color represented.

Minoas hadn't explained the whole situation to Professor Le Fey, like he did with Briar and Elbio but he suspected that he didn't have to anyway. She looked like she knew everything before hand. Perhaps her visions had shown her more than he could imagine. She had mentioned she had seen the original vision again, this time more clearly. Perhaps she had noticed something important she didn't last time.
"Did you see something new I should know?" he asked hopeful at the edge of his seat.
"There are countless of wizards with a staff, let alone wearing maroon. There must be something else that could pin point a specific person or a location where that person could be." he said trying to refresh her memory if it wasn't already refreshed from her recent, new vision.

 

[Professor Elvera Le Fey]

After learning that all employees at the festival were to wear maroon Elvera had tried to get back to the vision she had had of the festival. scrying in flame, ink, water, mirrored. eventually she had managed to bring it back, or at least bring back the memory of it. as like dreams visions had a tendency to fade over time. as soon as she had seen it she had written the details down. she had been tempted to send it to minoas over owl but wasn't sure if it was a good idea. instead it had sat folded n her desk draw until this morning when she had on the spur of the moment put it in her bag along with some water and other things she would be needing for the day. when she had arrived at the stall she had totally forgotten about it, being busy unpacking then working on the front selling with the occasional reading in this back room. it had actually only been when she had seen minoas that she had remembered.
the boys conclusion was one she had also reached. "yes, he works for the festival, and as he was in full maroon he was an official employee" she said. confirming it. minoas' next question was one she was expecting from as soon as she said she had something to tell him. instead of answering se drew her wand and summoned her bag, not wanting to get up again to fetch it from the other side of the room. she opened the draw string and reached inside finding the little pocket that she had placed the parchment in. she took it out without unfolding it she handed it to minoas his name written in her neat calligraphy on the outside. "It took me a while but i managed to remember and see it again. i did, and wrote down what i saw" she said. letting him open it and read through.

jester in a red maroon and green suit, snake charmer, people everywhere
man in a maroon cloak, traditional hat and beard walking through a crowd towards an arena.
he enteres a maroon tent (note: the maroon tents are the officials tents, first aid stations lost children's ports etc, all other tents can be any colour but maroon)
on the door of the tent was a poster. saying Festival of innovative magic 2032, Wagga Wagga, Australia. and a list of times and activities
next to this was another sign saying entertainers/duelists and officials only. (animal keepers use other entry)

she looked at minoas, watching as he read the paper. it was only a little more information than she had previously but not much. "I hope that that is able to help you" she said waiting to see if the boy had any more questions

 

[Minoas Stratis]

So the man he was looking was an official employee or just a person of important significance for the event. Still the festival took place in such a wide area, crammed with people. He just needed some luck, the same one he had while randomly entering a tend, turning out to be the tend of the only person that could currently help him.
His insides flooded with hope when the professor told him she had remembered a few more things clearer. He watched as she waved her wand and a piece of parchment zoomed in her hands, coming from the other room.
He looked at her confused as she gave it to him and she explained that she had noted down everything just in case her memory was clouded again. He unfolded the parchment and read through it, silent. He was remembering most of the information but what he found interesting which was not mentioned last time, was what was left in the end.

"Duelists, huh?" he wondered as this piece of information was limiting the group of people he had to focus one.
"So his either a duelist, an entertainer or an official." he repeated from the parchment and took his backpack on his lap to search for something into it. He took out the day's program and he searched through it to find what event was going to take place soon. His attention was drawn particularly by the Award Ceremony. If there was and event that could have gathered most officials, duelists and entertainments, this one would be for sure. He checked the time the ceremony was taking place and glanced at his watch as well. The ceremony had started half an hour ago and he jumped on his feet when he realized he had to have been met with Briar and Elbio half an hour ago as well.
"I think...I think I got it. I should go to the Award Ceremony. All the officials, participants should be gathered there. Thank you professor." he said in a rush. He took the map out of his backpack as well before putting it back on his shoulders and head out of the tend from the spot he had entered before.

"Bye." he waved as he got out and unfolded the map. He found his location and on his way back to the meeting point, he tried to figure out the shortest route to the colloseum, where the Award Ceremony was taking place.
Running out of breath, eventually he made it to the plaza they had first strategized. Briar and Elbio were already there waiting for him.
"Sorry guys, I was carried away and lost track of time." he tried to catch his breath and took a bottle of water from his backpack that he emptied with a few gulps. "Did you find anything interesting?" he asked as he unfolded completely the map on the same mushroom table they used before. He connected their current location to the colloseum as he listened to their progress if there was any.

 

[Professor Elvera Le Fey]

Elvera watched as minoas read the paper. he seemed to find the extra information useful. honestly she couldn't remember what was on it. the last time she had opened it was when she had added the note about the tent colours. but she still had vague memories of the vision. "most likely he is, or maybe a gate crasher" she said adding the extra option. though it seemed unlikely.
whatever minoas was thinking he seemed like he had a plan. she hoped it was a good one she didn't want him or anyone he was with to get hurt. but he was looking for his dad. and she wanted to help. maybe it was because she had never met her dad that was why. maybe it was because she liked helping people. she watched as he got up and left the tent from the back. "Good luck" she called to him as he left, she really did mean it. she finished the last of her tea in a few quick mouthfuls before heading back to the stall. a few minutes later almost all thought of minoas had been pushed from her mind as there was a crowd forming. all the spectators were flooding out of the stadium in front of them and stopping to look at the tarot cards and shiny crystal balls glinting in the afternoon sunlight. it really was a brilliant location, not only because she was outside a stadium but also because the stadium she was outside was the one that was most likely to attract the kinds of people who found divination equipment useful.

 

[Briar Rowan-Cullen]

walking along the paths between the tents, stalls and people showing techniques and skills. it wasn't long until briars stomach started to grumble. that wasn't unusual at all. she had always been known to eat a lot however when she reached an area laid out like a food court with food vendors around the edge and chairs and tables in the middle she made a deviation not to a stall that did meat, or a sausage sizzle but instead she ended up leaving with a pack of around dozen small fresh cinnamon doughnuts. mainly because they had smelt so good. and were what she felt like in the carnival atmosphere. she slowly started on them as she meandered through the markets. every now and then she paused to look at some good or something that was being sold. one old lady called out to her from a stand on her right as she passed as she passed. "perhaps an amulet for you young lady, maybe something to keep the werewolves away from your pretty face" briar had to stop at that and make her way over to the stand to see what she was selling. by the look of it it was a selection of silver jewellery. "this one will look beautiful against your skin. pure silver mined on the night of the full moon and cast during hte new moon for extra power" came the ladys sales pitch. she looked the lady dead in the eye and she could see that she was starting to think that something was not quite right. "thank you for your offer. but i am afraid it is a little loo late for that" she said before grinning widely her teeth showing in almost a wolf like way. the lady took a step back and muttered something that could have been a charm for protection. she did feel a little bad for scairing the lady like that but it was worth it to see her expression. she kept walking keeping her eyes open for thr man minoas was intent on finding but after what the centaur had said she didn't think there was much hope.
eventually she ended up at the other end of the festival and the last arena. this was the biggest on on the map. there was a sign above the entrance stating that she was entering the coliseum. she climbed the steps to a seat and watched as she saw a pair of duelists fighting away. coloured jets quickly flying between two points the two points that seemed to be circling each other a sgore board above the arena kept score it seemed like a wizard named N. Jones was winning. though it was close. as she watched briar thought that i looked like fun. maybe she should sign up for a duel, however one look at her watch disuaded her. it was only a short while before she had to meet up with the boys. she left her east and went out of the colosseum walking quickly through the crowds she arrived back by the fountain first. she sat on the mushroom seats again and took a good drink from her water bottle as she waited for the boys.
it was a while before Elbio arrived though it was still before she thought to get worried. as she had been a little early due to the fect that by four the crowds were starting to thin. it would be a useless ifea to ask if he had found anything, as she knew it would just mean repeating when minoas Arrived. instead she asked "Did you have a good time?". sometime after the arrival of Elbio Briar looked at her watch again. it was almost quarter past four. where was Minoas? she reached out her mirror and hoped against hope that she would see minas there however all she saw was the inside of his pocket and the look out from Elbio's. "you haven't heard from minoas have you?" she asked Elbio in case they had met and arranged a later time of something. she got up and started to pace. she didn't like sitting still for too long at the best of times, but when she was nervous she was worse.
Eventually she saw a familiar figure moving towards them. thank god. he looked like he had been rushing back to the plaza and she was glad that he wasn't hurt, in fact he seemed a little exited about something. she him catch his breath and cool down before she asked him what he had found. however minoas for there first. she shook her head "I found nothing." she said. "though a lady did try to sell me a necklace protective from werewolves"she said smiling alightly.

 

[Elbio Aiello]

The young man figured out that the people dressed in maroon had something to do with the festival. The memory jolted his mind eventually. Last year the personnel of the festival used to dress in dark green and the year before they had chosen scarlet. Realizing that the man they were searching for was probably part of the festival, he shoved his hand in his pocket to get the two-way mirror out of it and inform the other two. From his excitement however, as he pulled the mirror out of his pocket, it slipped out of his fingers and smashed on the ground.
"Oh man! I hope this doesn't mean seven years of bad luck." he said looking down at the smashed shards. He had no idea how he could contact them now and there were no vendors outside the arena he just watched a winged horse race, to by a new mirror. He decided to continue with the plan and return at the plaza as he had agreed with Minoas and Briar.

He visited his next locations without much luck. People dressed in maroon were everywhere. Some of them were indeed holding staffs but the characteristic pointy hat that would complete the description was missing. A hat however could be taken off during such a hot day. He concentrated on a specific middle aged man who was dressed in maroon and was also holding a staff and Elbio followed him for a while. It turned to be a judge for an owl competition and Elbio wished he had brought his own owl, something that could start more easily a conversation with him. At the end of the competition, Elbio followed him as he was heading to his tend. He stopped him half way in order to ask him but when he did, he was at a loss of what he should say to him.
In the end he asked him if he had seen a dropped scroll case around in order to see his reaction but the middle aged man shrugged unaware and walked away.

Elbio visited his last location which was a photography exhibition. There was a variety of subjects in display but the one that ultimetaly drew his attention was about magical creatures. A photographer named Isaac Vovk had managed to captured in pictures some rare creatures that ordinary people like Elbio could only see them in pictures. He wanted to become that kind of photographer, that could see things that most people couldn't and his lens would bring to them those images. The picture that captured him the most was that of a Nundu named Silvereye. The picture was dark, depicting the shadowy canopy of an african rainforest. In the middle of the dense foliage of some trees, a pair of eyes was gleaming in the dark. The right one was yellow, the natural eye color for a Nundu but the left one had an eerie silver color. The dichromatic eyes were glaring from the safety of the shadows, blinking now and then but the creature wasn't making an appearance. Elbio then read the description provided about the specific picture. It turned out that Silvereye was a notorious male Nundu, accused for devouring three tribes of local people. The creature was blinded to the one eyes by a local shaman who confronted it, hence the one silver eye. No one had managed yet to take a picture of the whole creature. Finishing reading the description, Elbio had found his life dream. He wanted so much to be the photographer to take a complete caption of the Silvereye. He wanted to find the photographer and ask him about this experience but his watch was suggesting otherwise.

He rushed back to the plaza, their meeting point. Briar was already there but Minoas hadn't arrived yet.
"Hello again." he smiled as he took a seat at one of the toadstools.
"Overall yes. Didn't have much luck finding that man though. I mean, I found someone looking like him but I didn't know what exactly to say." he said with same shrug the middle aged man gave him when he asked him.
"No. Unfortunately, I dropped my mirror and damaged it. I was going to let you know that all these people in maroon are personnel of the festival. We are looking for someone closely related to this event." he said to her, although she might have figured out on her own. It wasn't just coincedence to find so many people wearing the specific color. Then Minoas arrived as well, catching his breath. Like Briar, Elbio told him he had found nothing but shared what the color was representing. He chuckled when Briar said that a lady tried to sell to her a protective charm against werewolves but then he noticed that Minoas was looking for something on the map he spread on the mushroom surface.
"What's on yout mind?" he asked, suspecting that unlike him and Briar, Minoas had found something after all.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

"Don't worry. It's like we're searching a needle in a haystack, we knew from the beginning it wasn't going to be a walk to the park." he remained positive despite his friends statements who had no luck so far. He wouldn't be that optimistic if he hadn't another plan figured out. He was just lucking for stepping into professor's tend. Actually, he wouldn't have made any progress without her contribution. She was like a good angel appearing whenever he mostly needed help.
"I'm guessing you have already figured out that the people in maroon are either participants, merchants or officials. We don't look for a visitor here so that limits a lot the group of people we should focus on." he said and studied one last time the map for the shortest route to the colloseum.
"Currently, there's no other event going on except from the Award Ceremony at the colloseum." he stated and pointed an index finger at the thumbnail of a colloseum on the map. "Most people should be there right now, especially participants and officials." he explained why they should head there. "If this is not going to work, I don't know what else we could do." he said, really repositing his hopes on this one.

He checked his watch again, something he seemed to be doing a lot today.
"The ceremony has already began. We should hurry if we want to have a good chance." he suggested and he wore his backpack on one shoulder, still holding the map and the program. When his companions were ready, he led the way in a fast pace, taking them through the shortest route to their destination. Soon, a grandiose colloseum towered in front of them. Its outer walls were surrounded with dragon status, staring at the visitors intimidatingly. Cheers were already echoing from inside along with the louder voice of a commentator, amplified with a sonorus charm. The queue to enter inside the building wasn't long and soon they found three seats at the front row of the stads that were surrounding the arena in the middle. Their seats had a good view of the whole arena, as well as of the entrance to the arena where participants could enter and exit it. In addition, the officials' and VIPs stands were exactly at the opposite stands of the colloseum. They were already crammed with people wearing maroon.

"And now, after the award of the Most Innovative Potion awarded to Laytin Chua from Singapore, let's have a break. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the arena of the colloseum the duo of Bianca and Negro from Argentina for a phantasmagoric MagiCombination Show!" announced the commentator from the VIPs' stands and the crowd erupted in cheers. Silence for a moment and then a huge rose starting descending from the sky. When it reached the arena, the blood-red petals got seperated and swirled around at a specific spot where they erupted in white smoke. As the smoke dissolved a young lady dressed in a white dress was revealed. The crowd went ecstatic again. Minoas just applaused looking around him surprised with the resonance of the audience.
Then the whole colloseum's attention shifted to a glowing orb that started discending from the other side of the arena. The orb resembled a lot of a lot smaller version of a full moon. As the silver orb was getting closer to the arena's floor, the whole colloseum started trembling. Minoas could feel that everyone witnessing that was holding their breaths as he dead subconsciously as well. The landed full moon glowed intensely for one last time, before cracking and breaking apart into tiny silver shards. From inside the full moon appeared a young man dressed in black and with a wave of his hand the shards of his shattered full moon travelled across the arena into the form of silver powder. The crowd, especially young girls and ladies, went ecstatic again with a deafening applause.

The couple of performers put a great performance of their combined spells that always ended with impressive effects that got the crowd go crazy. The most spectacular one was when the young woman summoned a fiery phoenix out of her wand and the young men a basilisk made of ice. There was a chace between the two spells, a battle where the basilisk was trying to sink its icicle like teeth on the fiery plumage of the phoenix. In the end the two spells collided together creating an under control explosion with the duo bowing casting their next spells through the steamy frost. Minoas was going to keep watching until a rumble from his stomache reminded him how hungry he was. The hearty breakfast they had at Briar's place and the few scoops of ice-cream were nothing for a guy of his age who was getting taller with the day. "I'm gonna get something to eat. I'm also going to buy a pair of omnioculars. We'll need it to search the opposite stands. Do you need anything?" he asked Briar and Elbio as he stood up, deciding that he could let the show for a couple of minutes to visit the canteen by the entrance of the colloseum.

 

[Briar Rowan-Cullen]

Briar wasn't surprised that Elbio had had about as much luck as she had. listened as minoas said that he had a hunch and that they should go to the award ceremony. it sounded logical and she wondered if it had been purely his idea or if someone had suggested it to him. "thats the best plan we have so lets do it" she said getting up. and following her brother to where the ceremony was.
after a few minutes walking she saw the structure ahead of her. It was the same arena she had been in about forty minutes previously however now it seemed to be even more alive than before. the energy inside the building seemed to make it breath. they queued and somehow managed to get good seats though the people all around Briar made her feel slightly claustrophobic. and a little nauseous. mr maybe it had been something about eating all them doughnuts.
she was just reaching in her bag for the onmioculars when she heard the commentator announce the winner of one of the awards. she couldn't see the commentator but at the announcement a lady walked into the arena and a trophy formed in the air and presented its self to her as a crown or wreath of some sort seemed to form on her head. the lady vanished in a light s some show seemed to start up. she watched for a couple of minute before getting bored of it. it was pretty but that was the point. there was no point to it, just pretty lights and illusions. what a waste. and did was that orb seriously meant to look like a full moon? she reached into her bag and took out her omnioculars and water. after a mouthful of the drink she plugged the gadgets to her eyes hoping that she would be able to see something useful.
a roar from the audience almost made her jump as apparently someone had just completed some miraculous feat of magic. "is that..." she said when she thought she spotted the man until she realised that he was carrying a wand not a staff "no, false alarm". oh well better keep looking. her search was interrupted by minoas saying he was going to go and get some food and omniocilars. "I am good for food. but if you want to borrow these when you got back you can" she said. once her brother had left she looked over to Elbio. "do you want to use them for a bit" she asked offering him the magic binoculars. being this close to so many people and having tunnel vision was making her feel a little uncomfortable.

 

[Elbio Aiello]

Minoas indeed had something in mind and he was right about it.
"Of course! Award Ceremony is festival's most anticipated event!" he agreed with Minoas and smacked his forehead while wondering why he hadn't thought of it earlier. Most visitors would be there. Some of them were only attending the festival to watch this particular ceremony. It didn't only included awards but also shows and duels between top duelists.
"Yeah, let's hurry." he said and picked his own backpack to follow Minoas.
The colloseum was the largest structure in the area. Wherever the festival was taking place each year, a colloseum was always there mostly for duel competitions and for the award ceremony. This one was heavily themed on dragons and it was slightly larger than the one the festival had last year. They entered inside and they were lucky to find first row seats at the best spot of the stands. Apparently the award for the best innovative potion had been already awarded but then followed the show of a wizard and a witch from Argentina. They were performing each year and as far as Elbio could remember, they had once won the award for their own category.

"Oh, Bianca and Negro! They perform every year!" he let Minoas and Briar know as he joined the applause. They were putting a great show each year and this time was no different. They made a spectacular entrance like they always used to be and then followed their show with its peak, the animated basilisk made out of ice fighting with a flaming, animated phoenix. Unlike Briar who didn't look too impressed, Elbio had put his camera in front of his face and started taking pictures not to lose a moment. He was pausing only to join the crowds' applause each time before getting back to work and starting taking pictures again. Minoas who seemed to be more impressed than Briar, suddenly stood up.
"No thank you I'm good." he dismissed Minoas' offer to get him something from the canteen. He already had his own pair of omnioculars in his backpack that he took out to help Briar who had already started searching at the stands opposite to them. There were too many maroon dressed people there but as far as he could see they weren't carrying a staff. He kept searching, sometimes turning his omnioculars to the scene but then returning back to the stands, scanning carefully each one sitting there.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Briar kindly offered him her own omnioculars. It turned out that both his friends had brought a pair of omnioculars making him feel slightly embarrassed that he hadn't thought of bringing with him something so helpful.
"Thank you Briar but better have three of them. Searching all three of us will do only good." he thanked her but he had already made up him mind to get one of his own. "Be right back." he said before leaving Briar and Elbio who had already started searching around with their omnioculars as the show of the two performers was continuing. He navigated around the row of seats until he got out of the stands and headed back to the entrance where the canteen operated by a goblin was located there. He didn't have to wait long at the queue and the goblin asked him what he would like. Apart from the omnioculars he purchased, he returned back to the stands loaded with food. Except from the fried chicken melt sandwich he got for himself, he also got beef nachos to meet Briar's preference for meat, fried potatoes with melted cheddar cheese and chicken nuggets with yogurt and mustard sauce for all three of them to share. "Just a light snack." he chuckled as he returned with all this food, letting them know they could have from it. He was sure they would do. The fried potatoes were irresistable with the melted cheddar and the bacon flakes sprinkled all over it.

"Anything new?" he asked and took a nachos with minced beef on it. The two performers finished their show with a bang as stalagmites grew out of the ground and towered the young wizard and the young witch higher than the stands. Then the woman disappeared in a flash of light and the man was devoured by an unnatural shadow. The stalagmites were then engulfed by earth's cracks which disappeared as well in the end, leaving the arena intact. Minoas clapped as their show finished and used his omnioculars to see the officials at the opposite side. At the same time he was takind blind bites from his sandwich. "Damn it! There are so many!" he said with his eyes still scanning through his newly bought omnioculars. "What if the one we are looking for is there and he had left his staff back at his tend?" he wondered, not really expecting an answer from his friends. He hoped this wasn't the case or they would never find the man they were looking for.

"After Bianca's and Negro's wondrous show, it's time for another award." echoed the voice of the commentator again. Minoas managed to spot the man among the people in maroon at the officials' stand with the help of the omnioculars. "Undoubtedly, the most popular and anticipated award for all of you is that of the Duelist of the Year! Well the time is here to welcome at the arena the first ever winner of this award. Please everybody welcome....Hwaldarkarsh!!!" announced the commentator and the whole colloseum trembled by the cheers.
"Hwalda-who?" wondered Minoas when the crowd's cheering was so loud that made him turn his omnioculars to the arena and see who that man was. An old man entered the arena thanking the crowd for the devotion and the love they were showing. He looked to be at his early nineties, with a long grey beard hiding his facial expressions, wearing a maroon cloak and a pointy, maroon hat. Minoas cursed under his breath when he noticed he wasn't holding a staff. "So close, so close." he mumbled frustrated as he followed the course of the old man who reached the center of the arena while waving at the stands.

"Like every year, the world-class duelist will award the three best participants. So without further ado, welcome to the arena the three best duelists of the year." bellowed the commentator and the crowd erupted in applause again as two men and one woman entered the arena. A pedestal appeared as well at the center of the arena where that man named Hwaldarkarsh was standing. "The third place, after a duel that lasted for two whole hours, goes to Mauricio Balaguer from Dominican Republic!" said the commentator before muffled by cheers. A young man with olive complexion and a scar across his face, waved at the crowd before jumping on the pedestal with the number three on it. Minoas had focused mostly on the old man who summoned out of nowhere a bronze statuette resembling a wizard with a wand and he awarded it to the Dominican man. Then the two men shook hands. The description was matching that Hwaldarkarsh so much. If only he was holding a staff... "The second place, decidedly goes to the surprise of the year. The woman who turned all her opponents in the end into a jewel box. An applause please for Kimberley Bergh from South Africa!" a brunnete jumped on the pedestal with the number two on it and the old man awarded her with a silver statuette he summoned out of thin air. "Last but not least, our new winner acquiring the title of master duelist who made it to the finals without a single loss. Ladies and gentlemen, Olafur Einarsson from Iceland!" shouted the commentator and his announcement was responded with a deafening applause. A man with ginger hair got on the tallest pedestal with a smug across his face. Hwaldarkarsh awarded him with a golden statuette and applauded him as well. Minoas could tell how content should be the winner, swelling with pride as the crowd praised him in the best possible way.

"Ladies and gentleman a last applause for our champions and the forefather of this contest. Thank you all." said the commentator and Minoas watched through his omnioculars the old man along with the man the woman, taking the third and the second place respectively, heading to the stands. Curiously, he watched as the master duelist of the year, walked towards the southern end of the arena. "But we are not done yet. As most of you know, each year the master duelist has the honor to challenge the Paragons, the world-class duelists!" continued the commentator, making the crowd erupt in cheers. Then a huge board appeared over the officials' stands with two frames. In the left one was the face of the winner from Iceland, currently waiting at the one side of the arena. The right one had a big questionmark on it. "The master duelist will randomly duel with one of our world-class duelists. If he manages to win, he can then challenge to duel the next world-class duelist he wants. Remember, he should either win all six world-class duelists to join them as a Paragon or they could decide that despite the outcome of the duels. Your attention please on the board to see who would be the first Paragon that Olafur will face." concluded the commentator and all the colloseum turned its attention at the board.

Images were flashing so fast in the right flame but eventually the face of a young, blonde woman appeared, winking at the crowd which erupted again in cheers. "Wavelyn!" yelled the commentator and the crowd started chanting her name. She sounded very famous and she possibly was a very likable duelist. Minoas turned his omnioculars at the other side of the arena where the woman that appeared on the board was already standing there, facing this year's winner. "For those not familiar with the contest, Wavelyn was the master duelist of year 2030 and earned her place in the world-class duelists by beating two out of four Paragons that existed at that time." informed the commentator as both duelist get closer to the center of the arena to bow at each other. "Wands at the ready! One...two...three. Begin!" the commentators last word wasn't audible as the crowd yelled in excitement. Minoas watched the woman named Wavelyn shooting out of her wand an ice beam which crashed straight on the shield charm of the challenger. Her spell's power was so strong that the shield charm started freezing along with the man's hand and wand. The breathtaking duel continued but Minoas for some strange reason couldn't get his mind off the old man that awarded the duelists earlier. He scanned the lower row of the officials' stands and find him sitting there watching the duel.
"Does anyone know who exactly is this man?" he asked, not hiding his curiosity about him. If not Briar, Elbio would have known something as a fan of the festival.