It was just as Shanna had said. Katie watched the trees as one, then three more fires flared to life over the next hour roughly a hundred yards away from their campsite. As with their own, the flames burned an unearthly green first before settling into a more natural orange. Katie smiled at the theatrics of it all.
Turning back towards their campsite, she saw that Shanna was lacing her boots back up, and the guys seemed ready to go. Walking back over, she looked to her friend.
"This Oktoberfest is a pretty good party, eh?"
"Yeah, you'll like it. This land is owned by some German immigrants from around the Schwarzwald region. There's some party drinks and stuff but there's also some good German beer."
"Schwarzwald?"
"That's the German name for the Black Forest. Beautiful country, all rolling hills and deep woods. It's what Black Forest Cake is named for."
"Ah, sounds great then. Too bad Jack's a loud drunk."
"Hey!" he shot back from the edge of the campsite. "I resemble that remark."
The other three laughed, and they all headed out of the campsite and on down the trail.
The festival was already underway as they arrived. People were drinking and carousing to hard rock music. Some were in costume, but more had wisely opted to bundle up instead.