Children's laughter pealed from the city streets, floating in through my opened window. I smiled at the sound, my gaze drifting from the stack of half folded clothing on the bed in front of me. Dusk was beginning to fall, the sky turning a vibrant peach as the sun slowly fell from the sky. It wouldn't be long now.

Pushing the rest of the clothing back in the large wicker basket to be dealt with later, I tugged my apron off over my head and headed to the door, a broad smile lining my face. Anoya's Kiss was my favorite day of the year.

As soon as night fell, the streets would be packed, teaming with street vendors peddling their wares, excited children pulling their parents along, wafts of tantalizing food snaking up the quay.

It was said that if Anoya favored you, any wish you made would be granted on this night. Thousands of lanterns would be lit, each carrying a wish, in the hopes that Anoya would smile kindly on you and grant it.

The crowd was already dense, moving quickly in the direction of the harbor. I merged into the throng, letting myself be moved along with the flowing masses. The town square opened up ahead of me, a three piece band playing a lively tune on a makeshift stage near the fountain. A group of young girls twirled and danced in front of them, hands raised in the air, skirts fluttering around them as they spun.

“Thespa!” I looked around to see my sister frantically beckoning me over from atop a stone bench at the side of the square. Brissal must have arrived early to get such a good viewing spot.

Wending my way through the crowd, I made my way to her side and lightly jumped atop the bench. “How on earth did you get a spot like this?”

“Sweet talked Jedidan into coming down this afternoon and saving it, and then kicked him out.” Her eyes crinkle mischievously as she tells me this, dark curls bouncing around her shoulders. “Poor boy.”

I laughed and clapped my hands in time to an up beat number from the band, my heart lighter than it had been in months.

***

By the time I stumbled up the lane to my garden’s gate, the moon shone high above in the inky nighttime sky, clouds occasionally blotting out large swaths of twinkling stars. I could still hear the fading sound of continuing merriment coming from the square; the most hardened revelers would likely last until day break, wringing every last moment of the night to tide them over another year.

Yawning wide, I make my way up to the door, already dreaming of the warm and comfortable bed awaiting me upstairs. The sight of the red lantern atop my doorstop takes several moments to pierce my bleariness.

My blood freezes. It’s been several long years since a lantern has made it’s way to someones doorstep in our village; surely this is a prank? Someone must have placed it here. Anoya herself could not have deemed it my destiny to fulfill this.

I approach the lantern as though it’s a feral animal, cautiously, slowly. A few more moments pass as I stare down at it. The words blazed crimson on the stark white page.

"I wish for an adventure."