A perfect sun rises on the morning of the Midsummer Festival, not a cloud in the sky and only the gentlest of breezes stirring the air, just enough to caress and cool the skin. To many this is a good omen, though some worry it marks the coming of a fey, the calm before the storm, a glee mischievous at best, and easily far worse. Still, fey will do what they want regardless of how much one worries about them, and so even with one eye on the horizon, everyone is soon preparing for the big event.<br/><br/>For several weeks there were eager rumours that Varnfel's fort would be the sight of the festivities, but anyone who believed that must stomach their disappointment as instead the stalls are being set up out on the top of Canny Hill. Piles of embers are stocked just right for a variety of culinary delights. A silver will buy you a strip of goat meat, two a whole fowl, or large chunks of boar, whilst for those lacking the patience for their meal to cool can enjoy one of the salted river fish that dangle  in bunches, a silver and 5 coppers each, or two coppers for a russet apple, and another six for honeyed bread kept fresh in wraps of oiled paper. Even those normally careful with their purse strings do nut begrudge a few coin on such a day, and those lucky enough to set up their stall first will be going home with a rather fat purse of their own, provided they have the wits to keep. However more important than food, several pits are dug to store barrels of ale, ensuring that through out the day, cooled cups of soldier's stout, wood watch and dwarven brew can flow steadily. Never more than 4 coppers a mug, such traders are still expected to profit better than anyone selling something as luxurious as food.<br/><br/>By midday the fey are yet to materialize, and it is concluded that if they do show up, it will be at dusk, or soon after, if they do at all. In the meanwhile, under a clear blue sky once bellies have been filled with food and a mug or three, the attentions of those present turns towards entertainment. Some interest is gained from those who hawk charms of bone, silver or woven flowers, and some some hopeful romantics by a particular pretty trinket, hoping to impress one they love with the present at just the right moment on this important day, but staring at three different proofs against the touch of a tapte-one swiftly loses its appeal. Fortunately they need not look to far. A smiling half-elf offers that for 5 copper, he will give back 7 to those who can best a hafling in an arms wrestle, or two silver if you can instead best the goliath. No one has taken him up on either offer yet, but a medium crowd loiters around, eager to see the first who will. A witch's acolyte of some repute sells readings of the stones, and curse-breakers, and will trade stories provided you can name a resident of a Court, whatever that means, whilst several dancers from Lord Celvig's land, carrying exotic, flowing dresses of teal and grey dance around, and sometimes across, a bit glowing embers, and two goliath siblings protect their unbroken record for stone tossing...<br/><br/>In the eastern corner of the hilltop, a statue to Lady Milza has been erected. 8 feet tall it would no likely be imposing, if the hands that had constructed it had just been a little more skilled, joining the wood smothers, and weaving the straw to better mark the details of a stern face. Still it is the thought that counts, and the Lady of these lands is rather popular, despite a shortage of coin and some fierce border clashes. Perhaps because of the latter that she is liked, the people feeling for the dismantled temples in the lands of the Alliance. To honour Lady Milza, of whom it is said that even in her growing age with hair more grey than black still leads the charge across the Gaulg River, many have offered their sword, knife or axe, thrusting the weapon into the ground before her, a tiny army. Later, once the sun has set and the fires are blazing, those who weapons still remain in offering will clash with each other, to determine who is most suited to be her Champion.