Bard sauntered into the tavern, his graceful figure and small stature seemed foreign compared to the other patrons, but he was no stranger to the establishment. No sooner did he enter than three lovely ladies surround him, all clamoring to hear of his latest extraordinary tale.
“My lovelies, please, allow me a mere moment to satiate my thirst.”
Evelyn stroked his cheek, “Don’t keep us waiting too long.” She teased as they wandered off.
Those sisters may be the death of me...might be worth the efforts. He turned to the counter, standing on the stool so he could peer into the barmaid’s eyes unhindered. She was glaring at him, sour-faced and in no mood for his antics.
“Grunhilda, my Full-figured Fatale, your heart’s song deceives you. Your sour mask only wards away those who cannot discern the truth in your heart.” He managed to take her hand into his, despite her best efforts, “Say the word and I would woo you like none other.”
He beamed his pearly teeth at her, but she remained uninterested and unmoved, “Whaddaya want?”
“A single kiss from the most beautiful song here tonight.”
She wrenched her hand out of grasp as she walked away to pour him a drink. She slid it down the counter, “The usual.”
Bard rested his head against his hand and took up the mint ale with the other, “Almost got her.”
So many heart songs, it takes time to discern one from the other, but I have learned a great many thing in my decades of life. Oh, a fight is about to start. He turned from the counter, sat in the stool, and began to drink. A fight broke out between two inebriates, a fighter, and monk, and he watched with a passing interest. My Tall Maiden is staying at the temple tonight. She goes to the temple often, at least twice a month. I am not allowed entry into the maiden’s shrine, nor would my Tall Beauty would acquiesce to my company, even if it weren’t forbidden for males to enter. I’ve yet to unravel the mystery behind her visits, but I intend to.
The tavern workers attempted to subdue the heated patrons but to ill success.
Though not this night. He chugged his ale, smashed his glass to the ground, and took up his lute. The commotion turned towards him and he began to sing a tune of calming. The two instigators stopped and began talking to each other as though nothing had happened, and everyone’s spirits were uplifted all at once. Soon the tavern became lively with song and dance. A bard’s work is never done, he gloated to himself. Ah, but my efforts are never in vain. A female ranger approached him as he finished his song.
“You are quite the quick thinker,” She grinned, “Need a partner?”
Bard stood on the stool and leaned on the counter to be face to face with her. She had captivating, green eyes. “My Verdant Venus, might I dare hope your meaning to be romantic in nature?” He suavely inquired, gracefully parting his hair.
She studied him, looking him up and down, and after she was through, she leaned in to whisper into his pointed ear, “If that is what it takes to have you on my team.” Her breath warm on his lobe.
Bard’s heart skipped momentarily, rarely an encounter gave him a chill of excitement. Coily she drew back, awaiting his response. His eyes cast downward, “I most emphatically regret to admit I am unable to join another’s party. I have a partner, and while we travel together I cannot promise my bardly services to another.” He looked back into her eyes, “However, my love is free to share.”
She smiled and laughed, “Sweet talker...but I do not mind that in a man.” Again she leaned in, “Tell Aeron, ‘Greetings, from Fenra’.” She placed her hand on his cheek and kissed him.
With that, she rounded up her crew and left Bard to wonder what deeper meaning the encounter might have. He was unsure if he’d tell Aeron or not, but as quickly as it had happened, he turned his sights to the next lovely lady. He smiled and began to sing her a melodious serenade.
Aeron sat naked in the sacred pool of Aonani, with four blindfolded priestesses surrounding her, facing outward. They prayed open-armed towards the moon’s unfiltered light. This was the only room in the temple that had no ceiling but even opened to the sky, it was the most safeguarded. The high priestess approached with a divine fire, praying fervently over Aeron’s body, focusing on her arm. After the purifying ritual was complete, the high priestess disrobed, allowing the moonlight to fill her body, illuminating it with unearthly powers. Chanting an ancient incantation, she poured all her energies into recreating the broken seals on Aeron’s arm.
Aeron winced but held in the pain. Her body was worn, but not so disadvantaged that she could not still endure. Meliadoul’s body shone bright and once the final seal was complete, the light broke, leaving her body exhausted. Aeron steadied her before she could fall forward. The four priestesses felt their lady’s exhaustion and began to remove their blindfolds to assist her.
“Do not lay your eyes upon the accursed,” Meliadoul commanded. They halted and hung their heads. “Leave us.” Quickly they removed their blindfolds but dared not look upon Aeron.
Once alone Meliadoul took Aeron’s arm to study it, “So, this has become our custom? You cannot win this fight.”
Aeron, crossed her arms over her chest, “I know.”
“You and I are delaying an inevitable battle.” Meliadoul placed wet robes over her shoulder. “How the mighty fall, the foolish take the innocent to their doom.”
Outraged Aeron rose to her feet, ferocity in her eyes, “I KNOW.” She loudly stated, her words echoed. The two locked eyes in a silent battle of wills. Aeron’s guilt overtook her offense and she looked away.
Meliadoul placed wet robes over Aeron’s shoulders. “Aeron, we are not friends, but let me speak to you as a friend, you have little time left. You know what must be done.”
Aeron nodded, I know, was all she could think. “I remember when you were a fledgling cleric.”
Meliadoul smiled, “And you, the most gifted prodigy of the age.”
Aeron’s mind thought of the time before her new life, “I never liked you.”
“Nor I, you. You were selfish and cruel.”
Aeron took Meliadoul’s hand, “Mel...when..the time comes, you are the only one.”
Meliadoul placed her hand on Aeron’s, “Never...call me that again.” Her mind briefly wandered to the distant past but returned quickly. “When the time comes, I promise...I will give my life to end yours.”
Aeron nodded with downcast eyes. It was the only outcome of a choice she made long before she took up a sword. “Thank you.”
“And what of your small traveling companion?”
“Bard?” Aeron half shrugged, “He will survive and adjust, of that I am certain.”
Bard opened his eyes to find himself wrapped in a bundle of sheets. Hearing a soft moan he sat up and stretched. Beside him quietly slept the middle of the three sisters. Carefully he brushed her hair from her face and whispered melodiously into her ear. She smiled and drifted back to sleep. Bard slipped out of bed and collected his clothes that were strewn upon the floor. After securing his last article, he strapped his lute to his back and left the room.
Gwyndolyn is by far the most adventurous of the three. Bard spotted Aeron eating breakfast at a table below and halted in his tracks. My Somber Swordswoman, your song pains me today. What happened at the temple last night?
As he wondered to himself they ate in relative silence, a silence only found amongst the clamor of people creating a white noise. No particular conversation stood out, all the voices melded together and amidst all the hearty laughter surrounding them, Aeron felt alone and lost. Sensing her increasing despair, Bard tried to strike up a conversation.
“My Glum Gladiatress, my deepest apologies for yesterday’s blunder, I am completely, embarrassingly at fault.”
Not even a trouble in her mind, she snapped from her train of thought to respond, “Oh,” She sighed, “It was an...adventure…” She half snorted to herself. Aeron had completely forgotten she had come face to face with her childhood fear. “If you had told me ten years ago that I would face a slime in battle and come out victorious, I would have never believed.” Perhaps it was the meal or the nagging thoughts from her temple visit, but Aeron had completely forgiven the fact that they were unable to collect the bounty for Hell’s Seal due to its untimely death in transportation. “When we are finished there is a new quest.”
Bard perked up, “Oh, and what adventure do we hope to find?”
There are ruins far to the west, they are said to be very old and dangerous, but…” she stopped to drink her food down, “that is where the temple has seen fit to send me.”
Bard thought her phrasing odd.
“What is your relationship to the temple?”
Aeron finished chewing her mouthful, “A mutual one.” Aeron ate with more dedication and Bard decided not to press for more information.
My Towering Maiden is always dour after visits to the temple, why does she return so often and what irritates her so?
She finished her meal and drink, but before standing to shop for new provisions, she remembered something, “Oh, here.” Grabbing a book from her pack, she dropped it onto the table with a thud. “This is a book on Abyssal languages, you will need to be able to understand and speak it where we are headed. Brush up.”
Bard glanced at the book and at Aeron, “What makes you think I need to brush up, my Coy Companion?”
She smirked, “Your pronunciation the other day was terrible.”
Rarely was he taken genuinely off guard, “You speak Abyssal?”
As she walked away, “Remember, I read.”
His awe turned into admiration as he leaned his chin on his hand and watched her leave the tavern, “Mmm, my Scholarly Swordswoman, brains and brawns.”
Flipping through the book, but not paying full attention to the contents, Bard mentally counted how much coin he had on him. He’d need a new pack to fit this beast of a book. Excited about the thought of shopping he quickly finished his meal and scurried to market.
How I do love the market, the thrill of the hunt, the excitement of finding that elusive item, and then the battle of wills! How much will the item go for? Haggling is not for the faint of heart. A master haggler’s skill I may have, but my dashing good looks and beaming smile make things too easy. My Tall Vision is also an accomplished negotiator, but she gets the best deals when I am there to aid her.
Passing through the arched alley, he breathed in the market air. As he stood facing the crowded street he placed his hand around his coin purse and weaved through looking for new leather bags. And boots.
I try not to keep much coin on my person, as it usually disappears as quickly as it comes. I do have modest savings, though there is nothing, in particular, I am saving for. I simply like the idea that it is there. Perhaps when my adventuring is done I will buy myself a quaint cottage near a brook and live a quiet life.
Pausing a moment he thought about such a life.
Or perhaps I will own a tavern and entertain all who enter!
Side to side the shop owners touted their wares, trying to get the attention of all those passing by. Bard was no stranger to this market and briskly walked past carts and shops until coming to one of his favorite stops. The local leather shop, Hide 'n Sheek. He entered as though he owned the place.
“Salutations my good man, what new wares have you today?”
A man who had not seen him saunter in recognized his voice and looked down, “Ah, Bard, my most faithful customer!” He exclaimed with his hands as much as his accented voice, “For you, I have saved only the best. I know how you like to look sharp for the ladies!” He emphasized the last part with a bit of full-body motion.
“Gezro, you always treat me well.” Bard smiled as he walked over to the customer’s chair and propped himself up to sit down as Gezro went to the back to collect his new stock.
“The shipment is small this week, bandits, eeech,“ he made a guttural sound after mentioning the recent thefts local caravans have been suffering. “But this is the good stuff!” He placed the parcels on a counter beside Bard. As he rummaged through he laid some to the side, “Ah yes, good.” He pulled out a finely decorated leather belt, “This is nice, yes?”
Bard took it in his hand and studied the craftsmanship, it was beautiful, but not what he was hoping to find today. Gezro, noticing the unexcited Bard swiped it up again, “No good, this is blech,” again he made a guttural noise to describe his disgust. Pulling a pouch from another parcel he placed it in front of Bard’s gaze, “This is the finest leather bag money can buy and a-perfect for your size.” Bard’s smile drained as he remembered he’d need a bigger bag for his current journey, and when Gezro saw his frown he threw the bag aside, “But you have many pouches, yes? You want special!” From behind the parcels Gezro lifted a wooden box and placed it in front of everything else, “This I was saving for the end, it is a Gezro original.” Bard’s eyes gleamed when he pulled out a pair of soft leather boots, much to Gezro’s delight. “See I told you Gezro knows. And look, a small heel on the back to give you a little lift, not that you need it.” Bard couldn’t resist feeling them in his hands and face, taking in the new leather smell. Immediately he tried them on; they had been custom made for him. Bard stood tall in front of a mirror, taller than ever with the additional small heel. His feet felt like they were swaddled in luxury and as he gazed upon his visage his shoulders dropped.
“Bard, what is the matter?”
“Oh, Gezro, these are perfect. Beautiful. Stunning…”
“Then what is the problem?”
“My last pair promptly dissolved in gelatinous ooze and I promised, multiple times, that I would no longer buy soft boots. I swore to my Towering Maiden that I’d only buy practical traveling gear from here on out…” He draped himself over the chair. “I’ve seen practical boots and they have no flare, no soul..in their sole….” He slumped further into the chair, despairing.
Gezro was silent in thought as he shifted his weight back and forth, “What if you can have both?”
Bard perked up, “Tell me more.”
“You buy these boots,” He put his hands to his mouth kissing them, “and then you enchant them to be what you need them to be. There is a new shopkeep in the market, in the back away from crowds. She is, eeeh, how you say,” Gezro tried to think of the proper word while motioning his hand in the air, “mysterious in a slightly dangerous way, eh, shady.”
Bard’s smile reached from ear to ear, “Tell me more…”
“Aha, you like this lady, fair as first snow and as frightening as a mother bear!”
“Gezro, my good man,” he stood on the chair, “I’ll take them!” He reached into his money pouch and counted coin, “and this is a little extra for you.” Gezro replied by pinching at Bard’s cheek, “You always know what to say, is why you are my favorite customer.”
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