“We’re not supposed to be out here! Mother’s going to kill us…” the young girl whispered out harshly.
“Not before we snag a pumpkin tart from the city! Come on now!”
The two children ran down the main path, just outside of an evergreen wood. She knew exactly why he dragged her out of bed and pushed her into the hay cart tonight—because mother would despise the idea. Her brother, only two years elder than she, was a willful boy, and she ever the obedient child. Yet, when she was with him, they’d always managed to find trouble together—he was enough of a hassle on his own! Now she was being dragged down a dirt path in her nightgown, freezing in the night wind. She hardly knew where she was, and her arm ached from his pulling.
Still, young Annalese could not deny that their little journey was exciting.
“W…what is this? Where are we?”
“Tirasfal! Come on, run a little faster, we’re almost there!”
Little Annalese balked, and dug her slippered feet into the moist path, making her brother come to a complete stop. “Mother told us to never come to…to here!”
“It will just be a little while, Anna, I promise. And…I’ll tell mother I dragged you out with me. You won’t get in trouble a bit.” She could remember his sincere, warm amber eyes, not cold and stony, like their mother’s. “You’ll love the Harvest Festival!”
Indeed, it had been a welcome reprieve from the foggy streets of the children’s hometown. Even the trees around Lordaeron changed colors in celebration of the season. Giving her brother a challenging smile, she giggled as she raced him to the city gates. He caught up with her, and together, the two waltzed into the Courtyard.
With its carved pumpkins lighting the pathway and stone pillars of the city, Annalese was in wonderment. Local farmers displayed their last harvest for the year, welcoming all to partake before the food would rot. Fast paced music rang out from the courtyard as well, and couples took to dancing in twos. Children danced with ribbons and streamers, and Anna rushed off to join them. She’d danced until her feet were sore.
The pumpkin tarts were just as warm and good as her brother promised…
“Happy Hallow’s Eve, miss?” The perky Innkeeper said again, and this time Anisse heard her. The taste of spiced pumpkin was still on her tongue, and her gaze refocused upon the flavored treat in her hand. How long had she been standing there, staring idly at the Innkeeper? It must have been a while, as the innkeeper was now gazing back at her strangely.
“You alright dear…?” the Innkeeper smirked, laughing light-heartedly. “Now, those treats are not spiked, I promise you.”
“I…ngh…thanks.”
With some effort, the hooded woman filtered out of the tavern and into the Trade District of Stormwind. Others swept past her to accost the Innkeeper for more candy, dressed in elaborate costumes, or simply wearing masks. It was not…the holiday she really remembered it to be. Quietly marching her way back to the Slaughtered Lamb, she indulged the lost child in her with more memories of what once was for a small while longer. As she stepped into the tavern, however, she locked such thoughts away, preparing for another night of business.
Jarel Moor was treated with a small pile of unwanted candy, left alone on the bar.
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