This is part two of "A Merry Man".
###
It was an odd sound, somewhere between a heavy drop of water into a still pool and a string being plucked, but it pulled Ryan awake.
His spacious tent was awash in the silvery moonlight. Ryan rubbed his eyes and rolled over, preparing to go back to sleep when he heard the noise again. PLUNK. And then a whisper,
"Ryan..."
The voice sent a jolt of adrenaline down his spine. He knew that voice. His wife, Brenna.
He sits up, looking around at the empty tent. Pulling on his shorts and t-shirt, he unzips the tent and steps out into the night air.
The warmth of the summer still lingers, and with the full moon hanging high in the sky, the forest has become transformed into a strange liminal space.
"Brenna?" He asks softly, not even sure himself if he wants an answer. PLUNK. There it is again.
He finds himself wandering through the trees, a path without a trail, till he comes to a small clearing. PLUNK.
He squints up at the moon. The dampness in the air adds a ring around it, concentric circles forming a tunnel around him the night sky.
He feels a hand on his shoulder and manages not to jump.
"Brenna?"
"Hey sweetheart." Her voice rings with that soft undertone that he can't quite identify.
"Hey," he says, stunned. "I don't mean to alarm you, but.. it's been a long time since we've talked face to face."
She smiles sadly. "I missed you too," she says.
"How are you... why are you here?" Ryan asks, not wanting to ruin the moment.
She smiles, "I'm always with you. You carry a little bit of me with you wherever you go. That's what happens when you love someone. Death doesn't change that."
His cheeks were wet but he couldn't look away.
"But why are you here, Ryan?"
"I wanted something...new. Different." Ryan fumbled. He looked up but Brenna was smiling.
"Then something new is what you will get. Something different." An owl hoots, loud and low. Ryan turns, worried that it would fly right over his head.
He turns back and Brenna is gone. The night is still and quiet.
Ryan squeezes his eyes shut. "Fucking hell, dreaming while I'm awake." He shakes his head and stumbles back towards his tent.
###
The camp is alive in the morning, filled with the excited chatter of renaissance festival revelers getting into costume and preparing for the big day. Today was the day of the big tournament with jousting and sword fights and revelry. The biggest music act, a german bardcore group, was playing the main stage at night and over 10,000 people were expected to attend throughout the day. This was it!
Ryan gathered his towel and costume and headed down to the river to bath and get ready. The morning summer sun had already warmed the water temperature from uncomfortable to brisk but not unpleasant. Glancing up and down the stretch of wooded river, he noted he wasn't the only morning washer, men and women took ginger steps in or dunked themselves to get clean before the heat of the day - utterly unconcerned with their own nudity.
And why should they, Ryan thought to himself. We are in a time and place outside of the rules set by society. Be free from all those expectations!
That said, he was quick about striping off his garments and dunking himself in the water. Theory is one thing but he didn't want to be thought he was leering at the slim brunette who was washing herself next to him.
He hopped out, drying himself off and slipping into the narrow waisted green pants, a brown vest and white poet's shirt. It's a simple outfit but blends in with the other festival attendees. Some attendees had dramatic armor or props but Ryan wanted to simply be part of the crowd, even if he was up on stage a little bit. Just another part of the show, he thought as he made his way back to the campsite.
"Heeeeey there, my merry man." Natalie's voice sang out. So much for not standing out. Ryan glanced over to see the buxom redhead gathering her things next to the campsite. She wiggled her eyebrows at him and licked her lips.
"Good morning, fair lass!" Ryan called out. "Are you ready for the day?" Natalie looked left, then right, then gave him a big grin.
"Oh, I'm ready to put my breast foot forward." She says, pulling down her blouse to expose her full breasts with their sharp pink nipples.
"Damn!" Ryan said, in spite of himself.
"Don't you forget it," she said with a naughty grin before pulling her shirt back on and skipping off towards the festival.
A good start to the day, Ryan thought. Almost enough to forget the eerie dreams of last night.
###
The festival is buzzing with activity and the line to get in the main gate was long before they even opened. As Ryan cruised past the line towards the volunteer entrance, he was amazed by the array of incredible costumes. Hand-forged armor, intricate leatherwork, flowing medieval dresses and even a few monsters and sci-fi creatures. Why not?
"Ryan!" Karina was at the center of a sea of activity. "My favorite Merry Man - come with me!" As she called out, several of the women fluttering around her turned and stared with interest. Ryan stood awkwardly for a moment, before following Karina into a small side tent.
"Hey, how are you doing?" She asks.
"I'm alright, didn't sleep well but I've had my coffee." Ryan explains.
Karina gives him a bemused smile.
"Someone keep you up last night? I saw you dancing with Natalie's friend last night."
Ryan shook his head. "No, just some bad dreams."
She takes a second look at Ryan, her eyes softening.
"I'm sorry to hear that. You've certainly been the subject of plenty of discussion around here."
"Hopefully good discussion?" Ryan says, giving her a coy smile. She laughs, a ringing of silver bells.
"It's not every day we get a new guy volunteering. Especially a cute one."
"Oh no, I'll have to try extra hard to protect my virtue."
