Chapter Nine: Halloween

Halloween was considered a minor holiday for their English neighbors, but in Llanfyllin, with its Celtic history and the locus of Europe’s magical renaissance, the day and night were a national celebration.

Aidan knew they would be unmonitored from dusk to dawn while the city reveled in costumes, performative magic, banquets, and drinking. Apprentices with families were allowed to journey home, which was the cover story for the twins.

Aidan made no attempt to disguise himself. He wore his common clothes and walked out of the academy into the throngs of people carousing in the streets, where he disappeared, so to speak, in the mass of revelers.

The faculty were relieved to see him leave, and as long as he caused no trouble, they considered their next 24 hours of freedom from Aidan and his troublesome friends to be welcome respite from their mischievousness.

Aidan met the twins in the forest to the north of Ellesmere Keep after sunset. The king and his guests took part in the festivities as well, which Aidan hoped would be sufficient distraction for him to find what he needed.

“Here, this is for you,” Beca said, handing Aidan a small package. He unwrapped it and found six miniature pastries.

“Thank you,” he said, eating each one in a single bite.

“We knew you wouldn’t stop to eat anything,” Bryn said.

“Everyone should have a sweet treat on Halloween,” Beca said.

“Those were lovely,” he said.  “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes,” they said.