The Autumn winds stirred slight whispers in the pine trees above and beside the country road. Its dusty trail flanked by stalwart Pines which towered over the fields of reddened trees in the distance, separated by a golden stretch of grass as the trail blazed on and through that wild grove.

Birds sang the closing songs of spring and summer, and animals put the last preparations of winter into motion, ready for the long and difficult slumber.

But, below the trees and Birds stood to very odd figures, each alike, yet different in subtle ways. Two men stood there at a crossroads, dividing the forest into two long paths that reach into the distance. Identical in all but destination.

The journey stretched long in front of the two figures, as they walked the lonely road.

Arguing about directions.

"I'm telling you, Tolan, we have to turn East towards Pine Rest, not South! That's where Serpents Bend is!" Shouted the first man, the second scoffed at him.

"Bah, we come this way every year for Red Harvest Veir, and you still insist that Serpents Bend is to the West, and it's always been and will remain in the South. It's only proper for a noble city to follow the Southern Star. It is decreed by Heaven!" he thundered amidst the tall trees.

"It is the way of things, thus Pine Rest is East. And we are headed East to Pine Rest, not following the road to Serpents Bend in the South. We have no business there. Thus we go to Pine Rest." Tolan turned to his companion.

"Why do you insist on these bad directions brother? It will only lead us to trouble." Vir scoffed.

"Maybe because I'm right and we are headed the wrong way, as usual. We cannot abide by any of your stubbornness if we wish to make it before tonight." Tolan chided, Vir's rolled his eyes and kept walking.

"Bah, what's the point, we've traveled for days now, who's going to notice if we are late a day, the Red Harvest lasts an almost week sometimes! We can bide our time a little," he said, excitement creeping into his voice. Vir scoffed again

"You, me, or the Old Biddy in Pine Rest. This is more than just a festival feast and you know it. We always go, It lets fill our bellies and our respects." He said a pang of unexpected yearning clipped his voice, Before Tolan could see he'd said more than he intended, he loosed a sharp remark at Tolan.

"I know why you're doing this" Vir paused and looked about, connivingly "You're scared to catch sight of Tamia before the Festival begins, aren't you?" giving knowing looks and waggling his eyebrows.

Tolan balked at this, his face growing flush " I-I, I don't know what you're talking about." Tolan stated flatly and failing to convince anyone. His brother grinned, he'd had what he wanted

"You're thinking of proposing again, arent' you? " His brother taunted, gauging his reaction. Tolan retaliated weakly.

"Well, Tamia Could do worse, couldn't she? She-she could marry you instead!!" he blathered, there a was feeling of being unimpressed that flickered over Vir's face.

"And Besides, e-even if I felt that way, I'd Never miss the Harvest festival. Nor it's great feasting!" He added, hoping to seal his defense.

Vir tsked again "Tolan, where would she live? even if she agrees to marry you, or even if you can come to Asking her-" Tolan cut him off, A hint of desperation to his words.

"I have asked, plenty of times!" he cried, Vir tsked in shame.

"And how many times have you spoken to her? Twice? Three times? How many of them were these bold proposals? Hmm?"

Tolan scratched his neck "well, maybe uhh." he looked about. The Silence dragged itself like a stone until Vir broke the silence

"By the Birds, you haven't even asked her yet, Have you !?" Tolan's face dropped as Vir slapped himself.

"Oh Sparrows and Stars help me, my dear brother is an idiot. and now were lost because of it." he cried

Tolan retaliated "Me?! Your always the one getting us lost, Can't tell the difference between East and South! If anyone here is an idiot, it the one who can't tell direction!" he cried, his brother retaliated

"Well, perhaps you're a coward instead! Brave the Woods but not the Lady? What kind of man are you?" He shouted

"Well Vir, If you doubt Me !" Tolan challenged smacking his chest with a hollow thump, "I am willing to prove myself." Vir waved his brother off, shaking his head.

"No, brother I know this game. I could never out wrestle you, ever you are too strong for me." he smiled "But I'll bet you are not Braver?! " he goaded. Tolan sighed

"Your not getting me again with that, You and your stupid bets. I refuse to fall for this!" he called out.

Vir smiled again, playful "No, no I didn't think you would. That goat's never going to forgive us."

Tolan gave a disgusted look "After that night? I'll be glad she doesn't try to kill us when showing up."

Vir's face widened as he bobbed his head in agreement "Yeah, Heavens preserve us if she does," They came to a faded sign at the crossroads, the letters scratched and weathered away by the elements. A sense of frustration settled in along with a bow to the absurd.

"Now, Tolan. Which way do you think this sign is pointing?" Vir asked, Tolan, shrugged. The Sign heaved in the wind and fall of its post into the grass. The Brothers stared at it with a flaccid expression.

"That way is east," Tolan said pointing to the right "And that way is South. So" Veir remarked, they stood there a the moment before saying anything. Pondering the Directions they should go.

"East"

"South"

They'd spoken at the same time, pointing in opposing directions. Glaring at each other, gritting their teeth, it might have come to blows if Tolan hadn't spoken

"We follow the wagon tracks. Red Harvest is a great Holiday, most of the Food is brought in from the Storehouses in the fields. Along with whatever else they may carry."

Vir agreed quietly and they turned off towards the left, following the signs of heavy traffic that preceded them. It wasn't long before they were arguing again.