Lumentide Adventure

 This Christmas Short Story is part of my novella - The Journey of Xiana Maverick

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The season of **Lumenhaven**—a wondrous time in Privaria. Cities and towns glowed with the colors of red, green, white, gold, and bronze. The city of Xazion was fully immersed in the spirit of the season, its citizens holding small celebrations that Aerion and Xiana joyfully attended.

Early one morning, Xiana was already awake and bustling around the living room. Aerion walked in to find her deep in thought, clearly planning something, though her movements were a bit frantic. To calm her, he stood by the reading stand and waited for her to notice him. When she turned, she accidentally bumped into him.

Aerion wore a soft smile—one that immediately steadied her and brought a smile to her own face.

“Morning, darling,” she said.

“Morning, lovely. What has you buzzing around so early?” Aerion asked.

“An idea,” she replied.

“What kind of idea?”

“Since the citizens have been holding small celebrations… I thought, why don’t we hold one as well?”

“We will—on the day of Lumentide,” Aerion said gently.

“Oh,” Xiana murmured, a little embarrassed.

Aerion chuckled and wrapped his arms around her.

“My love, I know there’s something you want to do for the citizens of Xazion during Lumenhaven. Whatever it is, I’ll help you bring it to life.”

Xiana melted into his embrace, looking into his eyes—he always knew what to say, always encouraging her. It was one of the many things she loved about him.

“Well,” she said, “since we’ll be traveling around Privaria on Lumentide Eve, how about inviting four children from Xazion to join us on the sleigh ride? If that’s okay?”

Aerion laughed softly. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. And I happen to have four particular children in mind.”

“Oh?” Xiana’s eyes sparkled with interest.

“Yes—do you remember Amy, Sharess, Rylan, and Dale?”

“Yes! They were adorable, dancing in a circle and singing,” Xiana said warmly.

“Whenever I visit Xazion, they always greet me, and they’re constantly helping everyone,” said Aerion.

Xiana smiled, remembering Amy and Sharess handing out hot cocoa and warm pastries baked by their grandmother, while Rylan and Dale helped their father sell his crystal ornaments.

“I think that’s perfect, darling,” she said.

“How about you send the invitations?” Aerion suggested.

“That I will do!” Xiana grinned.

II

Cousins Amy Baers and Sharess Dovey sat by the fireplace while their grandmother, Estelle, bustled about the kitchen of their two-story, five-bedroom row house. The girls were the same height and build, though Amy had red hair and brown eyes, while Sharess had dark hair and gray eyes. Both shared their fair complexions with Estelle, whose reddish-brown hair, green eyes, and gentle demeanor mirrored her granddaughters.

Soon, a knock sounded at the door.

“Amy, go ask who it is,” Estelle said.

“Yes, Nana,” Amy replied as she hurried over.

“Who is it?” she called through the door.

“An invitation for Amy Baers and Sharess Dovey from Lord and Lady Lysander,” a voice answered.

Hearing this, Estelle went to the door and opened it slightly. Standing there was **Victorio**, holding a red-and-gold striped invitation, which he handed to her.

“For your granddaughters, Madam Estelle,” he said.

“Thank you,” Estelle replied, accepting the envelope.

Before she could close the door, Sharess and Amy stepped forward with a gold-and-white box.

“Here—this is for Lady Xiana and Lord Aerion,” Amy said.

“We overheard Lady Xiana say she loved Nana’s chocolate and peanut butter cookies, and that Lord Aerion liked her caramel and walnut brownies,” Sharess added proudly. “So we made both. It’s our gift to them.”

Victorio smiled as he accepted the box.

“I will let Lord and Lady Lysander know. Thank you—and I’ll see you on Lumentide Eve.”

“See you then!” the girls chimed as Estelle closed the door.

“Gudan, I am blessed to have two wonderful granddaughters,” Estelle said warmly.

Amy and Sharess beamed.

✨✨✨

At the home of Solon Doren, Rylan and Dale were polishing newly made ornaments and packing them into boxes when they heard a knock. Solon—a tall, sturdy man with graying dark hair, brown eyes, and a light tan complexion—went to answer it.

“Who is it?” he asked.

“An invitation for Rylan and Dale Doren from Lord and Lady Lysander.”

Solon opened the door to find Victorio standing there. He handed Solon an invitation identical to the one given to Amy and Sharess.

Rylan and Dale resembled their father closely. Rylan had short dark hair and hazel eyes, while Dale wore his hair long and possessed brown-gray eyes.

“Thank you,” Solon said.

Dale quickly grabbed a small box of ornaments they had finished earlier and approached the door.

“These crystal ornaments are for Lady Xiana,” he said. “We overheard her say she likes the colors pink, purple, and red, and that her favorite shapes are diamonds and stars. With our father’s help, we made these for her.”

Victorio smiled as he accepted the box.

“Thank you—Lady Xiana will be delighted.”

“Thank you,” Rylan said as Victorio departed and Solon closed the door.

“Gudan, I have good sons,” Solon whispered with pride. “Keep them safe and bless them.”

✨✨✨

When Victorio returned to the citadel, he presented the boxes to Aerion and Xiana and explained where each had come from.

“Oh, how sweet,” Xiana said as she opened the box of ornaments.

Aerion smiled. “I knew I made a good choice in inviting them.”

“Yes, you did, my Lord,” Victorio said. He hesitated, then continued, “And…I hope I have Lady Xiana’s forgiveness for my earlier indifference. It’s clear you not only love and care for Lord Aerion, but you’ve brought so much to the citadel. You honor its history and purpose, and the citizens of Xazion adore you. You care so deeply about them, and they feel that. I have been biased—and an ignorant fool.”

Xiana smiled softly and nodded.

“Of course you have my forgiveness, Victorio.”

Relieved, Victorio returned the smile. “Thank you, my Lady.” He bowed before excusing himself.

“I told you he’d come around,” Aerion said with a grin.

Xiana giggled. “And you did.”

III

It was Lumentide Eve in Privaria when the four children—Amy, Sharess, Rylan, and Dale—arrived at the citadel. Perelle greeted them warmly and led them to one of the living rooms.

A large red rug covered the polished wooden floor. To the right stood a long table overflowing with food and steaming cups of hot chocolate. A tall tree, decorated in red, green, and gold, shimmered beside a grand window, and a massive stone fireplace glowed softly with warmth.

The children stared around the room in wonder.

“WOW!” Sharess gasped.

“Exactly—wow,” Dale echoed.

Soon, Aerion entered the room. He was dressed in a crisp white long-sleeve shirt, red trousers, and black loafers. A gentle smile lit his face as he approached.

“Hello there,” he greeted.

“Hello!” the children answered together.

“I am Aerion Lysander, and I welcome you to my home,” he said.

Amy walked right up to him, tipped her head back, and examined him with wide eyes.

“You’re tall,” she declared.

Aerion chuckled.

“Are you really a Gryphon?” Rylan asked, curiosity bright in his eyes.

“Yes, I am,” Aerion replied. “A Gryphon and one of Gudan’s guardians and scribes.”

“What do you guard?” Sharess asked.

“I guard your home—Xazion,” Aerion said with a proud, gentle smile.

“Did Gudan tell you to guard it?” Dale asked.

Aerion smiled. “More accurately, He appointed me to, and I have done so with gratitude,” he said.

The children beamed.

“We’re glad you’re the one guarding Xazion,” Amy said.

“And I am happy that I am,” Aerion replied.

Just then, Xiana entered the room, and the children stared in awe.

She wore an ankle-length red velvet corset dress with long white bishop sleeves and a wide leather belt around her waist. On the belt buckle shimmered a symbol of a Gryphon’s wing intertwined with a dragon’s claw. A gold snowflake-and-holly hairpin adorned her dark curls, and her black boots were laced with gold.

She smiled warmly.

“Hello there. I am Xiana Lysander.”

“Hello, Miss Xiana,” the children chimed.

“I see Mr. Lysander has welcomed you. Would you like something to eat?” she asked.

“Yes, please!” the children said eagerly.

“Follow me,” Xiana said, guiding them to the table.

Each child was given a plate filled with meats, vegetables, and sweets. They settled by the fireplace, and Xiana, Aerion, Perelle, and Victorio joined them with their own plates. Afterward, they played games, shared stories, and laughed together. Perelle even brought out a portable piano and began playing lively tunes, prompting the children to dance with delight.

After the merriment, Aerion rose from his red-and-white velvet chair and quietly stepped out of the room.

“Where is Mr. Lysander going?” Amy asked, worried. “Is he tired of us?”

Xiana smiled gently. “No, sweetie. He’s going to prepare for the mystical sleigh ride. Remember? We’re delivering gifts to everyone in Privaria.”

“Oh… okay,” Amy said, blushing.

Perelle wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry, Amy. You didn’t ask anything wrong,” she assured her.

Hearing that brought Amy a sense of relief.

“Now, we need to get ready ourselves. We have coats and gloves for all of you,” Xiana said.

“Oooh!” Sharess squealed.

Victorio appeared carrying several gift boxes and handed them to the children. They opened them eagerly, revealing coats, hats, scarves, and gloves tucked neatly inside.

Amy’s set was white trimmed with green. Sharess’ was blue with gold accents.

Dale and Rylan’s sets were both brown, though Dale’s had green trim, while Rylan’s had silver.

Perelle, Victorio, and Xiana helped the children bundle up. Victorio then brought out warm winter boots for each of them. Just as the children finished putting them on, Aerion walked back into the living room.

He now wore a military-style coat trimmed with fur at the collar. His loafers were replaced by black boots, and white gloves covered his hands. Draped over one arm was a long red velvet coat.

He approached Xiana with a smile.

“My Lady, your coat,” he said, holding it open for her.

Xiana returned the smile and slipped her arms into the coat before fastening it. She reached into one pocket and pulled out a pair of white gloves, sliding them onto her hands. Once she was ready, she and Aerion turned their attention to the children.

“Are all of you ready to go?” Aerion asked.

“YES!” the children shouted in unison.

Xiana and Aerion laughed.

“Very well—let’s go!” Aerion said, taking Xiana’s hand.

The children followed them out of the living room, down the stairs, and into the stables, where a grand sleigh awaited. It was enormous—large enough for the massive bag of gifts, Aerion and Xiana, and all four children.

The children climbed in first, bubbling with excitement. Aerion then helped Xiana into the sleigh.

“Thank you, darling,” she said with a warm smile as she settled into her seat.

“You’re welcome, my lovely,” Aerion replied, circling around the sleigh to climb in beside her.

“How does the sleigh move?” Dale asked.

Suddenly, eight ethereal caribou materialized in front of the sleigh, shimmering like frost-touched starlight. Red-and-white striped reins appeared along with them.

“WOW!” the children exclaimed.

Aerion chuckled. “Are we ready to go?”

“YES!” the children shouted.

“Yes, we are, my love,” Xiana said as she cuddled close to him.

“Then off we go,” Aerion said as he snapped the reins.

The sleigh glided forward, gathering speed before lifting gracefully into the night sky.

IV

The sleigh ride was magical. The children gazed down in wonder at the towns below, glowing with the warm lights of Lumenhaven. Each time Aerion softly landed the sleigh on a rooftop, he would call out names from a list. The children and Xiana gathered the gifts, packed them into a smaller bag, and watched as Aerion shimmered into the home. Through a crystal orb fixed to the sleigh, Xiana and the children could see him placing the gifts beneath each family’s tree before shimmering back to them.

House to house, town to town, Aerion, Xiana, and their four little helpers delivered gifts throughout Privaria. As they traveled, Xiana and the children sang songs, and Aerion often joined them.

Then, without warning, an ominous feeling washed over Xiana, sending a shiver through her.

“Miss Xiana, are you okay?” Amy asked. “You shivered.”

“Are you cold, love?” Aerion asked.

“No, I’m not,” Xiana said. “I just sensed something… something that didn’t feel friendly.”

“What was it?” Rylan asked.

“I don’t know,” she replied softly.

Aerion kept his eyes on the skies ahead, but his voice gently brushed her mind.

The presence you felt… it is called Gravenholt.

What does it want? Xiana asked telepathically.

Gravenholt appears only on this night, Aerion answered. Its duty is to seek out and punish those who have been cruel. It also torments children who have been very mischievous.

Xiana grew tense, and Aerion sensed it immediately.

Worry not, Fire Diamond. Gravenholt will not seek to punish you—unless it wishes for me to rip off its horns.

The remark made Xiana smile and softly giggle.

Aerion landed on another rooftop and called out a name. Xiana and the children packed the gifts into a smaller bag and handed it to him. He shimmered into the house, and Xiana and the children watched through the orb as they waited for his return.

Suddenly, that ominous feeling surged back—stronger this time. Then Xiana and the children heard growling.

“Miss Xiana… what’s that?” Dale whispered.

“I don’t know,” Xiana said carefully.

The growling grew louder, closer. The caribou grew restless, pawing anxiously at the rooftop. Xiana grabbed the reins, pulling gently yet firmly to steady them.

“Miss Xiana… something’s gonna get us,” Rylan said, fear trembling in his voice.

“No, it won’t,” Xiana said firmly.

Her eyes suddenly flared, the inner fire blazing to life.

“Gudan, Creator of all… lend me your power. I call forth light to reveal what stands before us. I pray you, grant me this strength,” she said aloud.

A bright, fiery radiance burst around Xiana, unfurling like wings and lighting the entire area. In the glow, the creature was revealed:

Tall. Horned. Cloaked in dark fur. Long claws. Red eyes burning with judgment.

It stared directly into Xiana’s glowing eyes.

“A child… A child in your midst was not compliant,” it rumbled. “Disobedient. Yet you reward this child with gifts and kindness.”

The fire in Xiana’s eyes blazed even hotter, forcing the creature to recoil.

“If the child was disobedient, then clearly the child has either atoned—or must be given the chance to atone,” Xiana said, her voice fierce and touched with the otherworldly.

“You heard her, Gravenholt!” Aerion said sharply as he shimmered back beside her.

Gravenholt looked between Xiana and Aerion, and knew it was wiser to withdraw. It fled without another word.

Once the creature vanished, Xiana’s radiance dimmed. She turned gently toward the children.

“Which one of you was disobedient?” she asked.

Sharess sheepishly raised her hand. “I… I had been sneaking out of the house at night to watch the Star Dancers in the sky. One night Mommy caught me, and I told her what I was doing. She said not to do it anymore because it was dangerous. But I didn’t listen… I snuck out again. I was nearly kidnapped, but someone kind saved me and brought me home. Mommy and Daddy grounded me for three weeks. I felt so bad, and I apologized.”

Sharess began to cry, and Amy, Rylan, and Dale wrapped their arms around her.

“Were you forgiven?” Aerion asked softly.

Sharess nodded.

Xiana and Aerion hugged the children as well.

“You did a wrong thing, Sharess,” Aerion said gently. “But you felt remorse and apologized. And Lady Xiana and I have seen how deeply you love your cousin, your Nana, and your parents. We know you are a good child.”

“She is! She’s a great cuzzie and my best friend,” Amy said firmly.

“And she always talks to me and Rylan,” Dale added. “She stands up for us when other kids try to pick on us.”

Aerion and Xiana smiled warmly.

“It seems Gravenholt failed to sense Sharess’s goodness,” Aerion said. “It focused only on that one mistake. Not surprising—creatures like Gravenholt look only at negativity. That is what they feed on.”

“Well, he’s gone now. Thanks be to Gudan,” Xiana said with relief.

“Yes,” Aerion agreed. “And now, let’s continue our journey through Privaria. We still have so many gifts to deliver.”

“YAY!” the children cheered.

Xiana and Aerion exchanged a smile. Aerion climbed back into the sleigh, the children following eagerly, and together they flew off into the night.

V

Aerion, Xiana, and the children returned to Aerion Citadel. All four children were fast asleep in the sleigh—it had been a long, magical night. With the help of Perelle and Victorio, Aerion and Xiana gently lifted the children into their arms and carried them to a cozy room filled with soft beds. They tucked each child in and quietly closed the door behind them.

“They had quite the adventure,” Aerion said.

“Yes, they did,” Xiana replied with a warm smile.

♦♦♦♦

The next morning, all four children woke to find their families waiting for them—Sharess and Amy greeted their Nana and parents, while Rylan and Dale rushed into the arms of their father. The room filled with excited chatter and relieved hugs.

Soon the door opened, and Perelle stepped inside.

“Lord and Lady Lysander invite all of you to join them for breakfast this Lumenhaven morning,” she said with a gracious smile.

“Thank you, Lady Perelle. We are honored to join them,” Solon replied.

In the dining room, Aerion and Xiana welcomed everyone. The gathering had grown—Mira and Gael were there with Gael’s father and Mira’s parents. Inez and Javion attended with his parents and her father. Xiana’s parents were present as well, along with Aerion’s family and even Victorio’s. It was a joyful Lumenhaven breakfast filled with laughter, stories, and warmth.

After the meal, each of the children gave Aerion and Xiana a hug.

“Can we come back and visit?” Sharess asked.

“If your parents say yes—and they come with you—of course you may,” Aerion said with a smile.

“Thank you! And I hope you and Lady Xiana liked the present Sharess and I made,” Amy said.

“We did,” Aerion replied warmly. “And we loved the ornaments from Rylan and Dale as well. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome!” the children chimed together before leaving with their families.

When the citadel had finally quieted, Xiana leaned into Aerion.

“This was a wonderful Lumenhaven,” she said softly.

Aerion wrapped his arm around her waist. “Yes, it was… Happy Lumenhaven, Fire Diamond,” he said, gazing into her eyes.

She smiled tenderly. “Happy Lumenhaven, Bravewing.”

And they kissed.