The walk over to the Festival Pavilion was a pleasant one. The trees were in full bloom and birds flitted across the sky, trilling their song on the breeze. The grass rustled underfoot and I took the rare opportunity to enjoy the sun on my skin.

I pulled up the invitation all players got in their inventory.

You are invited to the annual Flower Festival in Lothial Heights. Enjoy the sights, the sounds, the scenery! Experience our lavish Pavilion, taste delicious treats from across the land, meet new friends and old! This is a world event you won't want to miss.

The blooms are waiting. All that's left is you.

Good, I was in the right spot. I saw a pavilion going up in the distance and headed toward it, hoping I wouldn't have to stay long.

The Flower Festival was the most popular World Event in the Veil, drawing impressive crowds and even more impressive feats of acrobatics, crafting, and cookery. I'd always steered well clear. Hordes of people in fancy dresses rubbing elbows with the elite? No thank you.

But this time, I had a goal in mind. I had a prize. The last of the Adamantium Crystals were held by the Society for Scientific Inquiry in Lothial Heights. They were kept under strict watch...all but one day during the year. During this time, the Society contributed to a huge interactive installation for the Festival, requiring almost all their hands to pull it off. Their guard force would be severely lessened. And that meant the time was ripe.

If I wanted to get my hands on a Crystal, I had to do it tonight.

When I arrived at the Pavilion, the Festival was already in full swing. Huge bustles and men in dapper suits flanked the grounds, and the smell of simulated flowers hung heavy in the air. I felt suffocated already. Since when were top hats back in fashion? Or bustles for that matter? I wiped the scowl off my face as I approached the entry booth. An elven lady with long blond locks stood there, handing out a digital blueprint of the festival along with a guided schedule. Instead of having to keep up with a piece of paper, it downloaded directly into our HUDs. Much more convenient that way.

"Welcome," the woman said as I approached.

I stuck out my hand. She stamped it with a glowing blue symbol that tingled as it soaked through my skin. Within seconds, a new menu appeared on my HUD.

Flower Festival Event Guide

Welcome, Traveler Tris! Make a selection below.

> Map

> Attractions

> Schedule

> Vendors

I closed it away as I nodded to the greeter and proceeded into the fray. I wasn't here for fun and games today. No, I had work to do.

I ducked past a group of revelers and nearly tripped over their flowing skirts. God, why anyone wanted to wear this stuff was beyond me. I couldn't wait to be out of it, and into something more practical. Smells of sweetcakes and honey drifted through the air, mingling with the floral scents that assaulted me from all directions. I picked a bun off a passing platter and chewed it thoughtfully as I pulled up my map.

The Society wasn't far off from the Pavilion. After all, they had all hands on deck for the massive art installation of the year. A giant floral swan, resplendent in hues of gold and ivory, flapped its wings and rained fragrant petals on passerby. It was an impressive invention, I'd give them that. The Society clearly had some very talented Artificers. In a different life, perhaps I could have worked for them. It's too bad they'd chosen a different path.

Instead of promoting scientific knowledge, the Society had been involved in censorship of late, redacting various magical texts and bringing rare resources under their wing "for protection". Many spoke in hushed circles about their downfall, but none dared oppose them. None...except me.

I swiveled around a corner and picked up my steps, the looming towers of the Society coming closer in my view. They had museum areas and the doors were generally open to the public during the day. I just had to hope they still were.

My hand was on the handle when I heard breaking glass, a scream, and an otherworldly howl I'd never forget.

The Reavers. They were back.