Book 1: Chapter 47: Symphony

Book 1: Chapter 47: Symphony

The High Elves in their hubris think themselves at the pinnacle of all things cultural, yet when was the last time their bards composed a new song? Their poets' new verse? Their tailors a new cut of fashion? Theirs is a legacy of stagnation that permeates all aspects of a society that has not seen change in millennia. What I have done in ten their best could not do in a hundred years. They call us the ‘children of the day’, but I view them as nothing more than a collection of youthful-looking old men set in their ways and bitter crones lamenting a world that once was. It is not the length of one’s life that is the measure of one’s legacy but one’s accomplishments.

- The Fanciful Travels by Beron de Laney 376 AC.

Still excited by the day's events, we all mutually decided that our trip to the Adventurer’s Guild could wait until morning. There were, after all, just so many hours of daylight. Kidu wanted to familiarize himself with his new equipment, and he held his new spear almost as if it were a lover. Elwin, on the other hand, wanted to go shopping and to see more of the city.

I wanted to voice my disagreement but realized he was a man fully grown and could take care of himself. What else helped sway my opinion was that he was able to purchase some new casual linen clothes, including simple gray tunics and loose trousers for Kidu and myself. Before the evening meal, I chose to practice some of my skills and ventured downstairs to request a few favors from the inn's proprietor.

Clanking down the creaking stairs, I saw that the common room was half-full, the locals already beginning to fill the place as they finished their shifts. I spied the innkeeper Taper mopping up a recent spill on the floor with an irritated look on his face. Waiting for him to finish his chore, I sat down next to the bar.

Eventually, he finished, and served another customer a large measure of ale in a horn stein before finally turning to me.

“What can I get you for? Evening’s meal not for about another two hours or so. I’ll take your order now then if it pleases quick, gots to check on the stew in a bit. if it's nice and tender. Oh, I can see you’ve got some new gear, hardly recognized you,” he said perfunctorily, barely looking me in the eye.

“Actually, I was wondering if you had something that I could measure time with. I’d be willing to make it worth your while if you had perhaps a sand clock or something?” I said as casually as I could, relaxing on my stool.

He looked at me a little curiously before answering earnestly, “Most folks here just look up to the sun, lad. But, if you’re wanting to be a little more precise, I can sell you an old cooking timer, measures about one hour. Let’s say for about three bronze pieces. Don’t have much need for it now these days.”

“That would be much appreciated, Taper,” I expressed, genuinely pleased, and slid three bronze coins across the bar.

“Two more ales, good innkeeper,” one of the locals shouted from somewhere near the back.

“Be with you in a moment Jefra, just getting something,” the innkeeper replied tersely, pocketing my coin before heading to the back room.

I waited for perhaps a minute or two before Athinad returned with a small bronze hourglass filled with fine black sand, perhaps fifteen centimeters in height, at a rough guess. It wasn’t particularly beautiful, but it certainly looked practical, with small indents on the glass that demarcated ten-minute intervals up to an hour.

Placing it on the counter he looked to me and inquired, “Have no idea what you’re wanting with this, and for three bronze I really don’t care either way. But can I do you for anything else?”

“No, thank you kindly. This will do just nicely,” I said as I got up off the stool, feeling a little stiff around the waist due to my armor. I stretched for a moment before cradling the hourglass in one of my hands. I nodded once more to the innkeeper, who was already taking another drink order, and made my way back to our room.

Athinad’s shrill voice followed me up the stairs, “Don’t forget! The evening meal’s in two turns of that glass!” he shouted.

I couldn’t help but smile to myself, as I finally had a way to measure time. This meant I could more precisely measure the scope of my abilities, instead of relying on blind guesswork. The game world seemed to agree as I was gifted with another notification as I clanked my way back up the stairs.

You have gained 1 Wisdom

Opening the door, I was greeted by the sight of Kidu inspecting his new weapon. I greeted the wildman and was given a small grunt in return, as he was so engrossed in his work. Checking my status, I made note that my Mana was at two points after having cast Identify at multiple shop signs throughout the day. I settled into the chair, took off my gloves and cast Identify on a random passerby to bring my Mana to exactly one point before turning over my new hourglass.

Hallise Randefor - Baker (Human lvl.8) Health 88/88 Stamina 28/29N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.

“Elwin!” I said, thoroughly surprised at what I saw before me.

Elwin had bought what looked like a set of dark-colored armor made from boiled leather scales. The whole ensemble came with a cloth-padded hooded jacket. Around his waist was a new belt with an array of deadly-looking knives in small sheathes. Now, after his shopping spree, the man really did look like a Rogue.

“Thought I’d get back to join you all for the evening meal,” he replied, as if it was the most normal thing in the world. “Was pleasantly surprised to listen to music from a Bard. Seems that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

“Yes, the music was rather lovely. I can see that you decided to enrich some of the local merchants,” I said as something whimsical took me.

“Hah!” he said, tapping the side of his nose knowingly.

Curiosity possessed me and I walked up to the bard as he was drinking ale from a large mug in great lugs. My sallet held under the crook of my arm, I greeted him.

“Hello there and good evening, good sir. My name is Gilgamesh of Uruk,” I said formally, feeling that a little ceremony was required, before continuing, “I have a favor and request to ask of you.”

He arched a single eyebrow before looking at me directly as he put his wooden mug of ale down. “The name is Darren Kragain of Haylesland, a pleasure to meet you. Your manners serve you well, so please do go on,” he replied in a cultured tenor voice that was as smooth as spun silk.

“Your song was most beautiful, the best I have ever heard in these lands, and has given me a yearning for the sounds of my own home. I would like you to play a song from my homeland, if it is not too much trouble?” I asked, a little awe in my voice, as I placed half a silver beside his instrument. Being this close to it, I could see that it was almost a magical thing. Intricate whorls and patterns flowed across the body of the lute-like instrument and entwined plant and animal designs gathered around the rose and ran up to the neck.

“Tell me the name of the song,” he asked, looking a little bored.

I was sure that the bard would often get requests like this.

“You will have never heard of this song...” I continued, and the bard perked up a little, his interest now piqued. “...it is a song from a faraway land, and it goes a little like this...”

Humming as best I could the parts of the song from the intro to the outro, I was lost for a moment in the memories of better times. Having no ear for music myself, I wondered if I was properly able to convey the song. Even with my lack of musical talent, the Bard looked absolutely enraptured by the catchy melody.

“Yes, yes... I believe it would be easy to do. This is a whole new style of music!” he said eyes alight as he re-tuned his instrument before sitting down cross-legged once more.

His fingers played across the strings as a melody, both different yet hauntingly familiar, echoed around the common room and people grew silent once more to listen. The Bard had added his own flourishes to the tune and it was not an exact copy. For one, the lyrics of the song were now markedly better in comparison to the trite childish nonsense of the original and the notes flowed together like an ocean wave. However, the soul of the music was there and it brought back memories of a world now lost to me. A wave of homesickness flew through me and I felt that it was almost worth the half silver I paid to inflict this world with pop music.

Once the music ended to another thunderous applause, I thanked the Bard once more for his gift and ordered him another drink. I was surprised when he, in turn, thanked me and placed my coins back in my hand saying that it was, in fact, I that had given him a great gift. According to his tale, he was on a journey to find new inspiration that he might complete his quest to become a master Bard and, thanks to me, he had found it. My good use of manners rewarded me with a notification.

You have gained 1 Charisma

Extricating myself from the Bard’s pleasant company, I rejoined my companions for the evening meal and placed my heavy helm on the table. Taper served us a delicious-looking stew in wooden bowls. The stew was spicy and was filled with a wide array of tender meat and fresh boiled vegetables with a peppery aftertaste. It was very filling, but we all still ordered seconds as it was a true gastronomic delight.

Finally, we excused ourselves and settled in for the night. I volunteered to take watch, taking my customary position by the shutters to stare out into the night streets. Practicing my magic, I cast Drain a few times during the long hours of my watch, when my Mana allowed for it, at some passersby who were making their way back home.

I hardly noticed the dark voices anymore, their promises and threats falling on deaf ears, but I did notice that, with my spell having increased in power, there were now more threads of darkness made with each cast. Progress in the dark arts, I grinned ruefully, who would have thought? My body was thrumming and jittery with stolen life energies before I was snapped from the training by a heavy hand on my shoulder.

Kidu relieved me from my watch, and I, too lazy to care, simply fell into the large bed. Despite feeling mysteriously tired, I also felt strangely stimulated. With my Rest skill, however, I was able to quickly fall comfortably asleep to the embrace of familiar nightmares that stalked me in the night.