Book Three Chapter Sixteen: CT_Lag_chk

Book Three Chapter Sixteen: CT_Lag_chk

The rest of the shopping was completed without any additional issue, which was a nice way of saying that the Chosen One behaved himself. Qube was still trying to get used to the way it felt holding a staff, especially one so oversized, and didnt particularly pay attention to any of the various shopkeepers.

What she did notice, however, was how annoying the music in Cobbletown was becoming.

It was no longer the light and breezy tune that shed gotten used to. Instead, whatever magic was causing the wordless song was trying to make a new one, or something, and it was very irritating. The normal flow would halt, leaving a few seconds of silence, and then skip ahead or back in the song, creating a mildly jarring experience.

After the sixth time the tune randomly skipped, Qube noticed that the Chosen One would frown every time it did. Without saying anything, he wandered over to a Save Point and swiped his hand through it. As soon as he did, the skipping stopped.

Interacting with the Devs realm affected the music. Qube drummed her fingers against her staff as she pondered the implications. It made sense; her connection to the music had appeared at a point she was delving deeper into the domain shed mentally marked as being closer to the Devs.

But what was the point of the Devs making music? Was it supposed to help them know when they were in danger, like the battle music? But also how much control did they have over her world, if they could directly influence the music she was hearing at any point?

Chosen One, she asked, grabbing the metaphorical bull by the horns, do you remember that battle music you were talking about once?

Sure, the Chosen One said, as he started leading them to the inn.

Do the Devs make that music?

There was a slight hesitation in the Chosen Ones step.

The Devs made everything in the world, he replied with a strange amount of caution. So yeah.

But they make other music too, dont they? Not just battle music.

The Chosen One looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

Yeah, he said, now sounding outright suspicious.

Why? she asked.

People like listening to music, he said eventually.

But how much control do they have over it? How does it know when to change to battle music?

The Chosen One rubbed one of his eyes.

How do the leaves know to make a rustling sound when the wind blows? he asked.

Qube was stunned into absolute silence at this incredibly profound statement.

Hey, that sounded really smart, didnt it? the Chosen One asked, ruining the moment.

How do the leaves know Qube started only to have the Chosen One cover her face.

Ssssh, he said, no more questions. Let me have this moment of sounding cool and mysterious.

As you wish, he said, giving Qube a smile. Everyone, cover your ears!

That got the partys attention. Everyone slapped their hands over their ears, just before the Bard sang. Despite not being able to hear the ballad, Qube could still feel it in her body. The power it held was immense, seeming to vibrate within her.

Which made it all the more disconcerting when it only caused the hens to pause, before continuing their chaos.

For the first time Sewer Bards fingers stumbled, and he looked at the hens in disbelief. Even the other patrons, who hadnt heeded the Bards warning, seemed unaffected by [The Bards Ballad]. They stopped, that was true, but there wasnt the big reaction that the party expected.

Several of them were now looking at Qube, however. But even that seemed more like mild interest, rather than the normal world-shattering revelation it had been every other time.

Not that Qube minded that! It was rather nice to not have people react like the tops of their heads had been unscrewed and forbidden knowledge poured into their brains every time someone first saw her.

Since Sewer Bard had now stopped playing, the others took this as their cue to start listening to the world again.

The Inn Bard who generally crooned in a corner near the fireplace nodded her head at a bewildered Sewer Bard. It was hard to hear her over the clucking of the chickens, but it sounded like she was saying: Ah, yes, I like that song.

The Chosen One, having successfully gotten Zakoras chicken to drink a bit from a frothy mug, was now watching the bird with avid interest.

You have something for me? Zakora asked dryly. If she was at all upset about the pandemonium in her inn, she didnt show it. Instead she was staring at Qube with the same intensity as her chicken, her hands never pausing in their task of wiping the inside of a mug.

Oh yeah, the Chosen One said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the small, sunlike gem hed gotten from the Light Temple. It was the first time that theyd only gotten one item for completing a Temple, since Akela had refused to give them her gem. Qube waited to see if Zakora would even reward them for only having half their usual gem count.

Zakora broke eye contact with Qube to give the gem a dull look. Her mouth worked for a few seconds, but no sound came out. The half-orc frowned, before putting down the eternally-cleaned mug.

They gave me something to give you, she said, in stark contrast to the double-speak shed employed last time. She drummed thick fingers against the bar counter. Abruptly she looked up and pinned the Chosen One with her attention.

Youre going to save the kingdom, arent you? she asked, her voice almost a growl. Everyone whos suffered, my inn, even those two kids who were taken by the Evil Emperor, youre going to get revenge for us all, right?

The Chosen One looked slightly alarmed by the seriousness of the barkeep. He shot Qube a panicked look, but before he could answer Sewer Bard smoothly stepped into the awkward silence.

My beautiful bar mistress, the Bard said, bowing to Zakora. I have travelled with this Hero and his party for many moons and I can say with utter certainty that, while his manners are, perhaps, rough, I have seen proof that he understands the plight of those less fortunate than him.

The Chosen One looked touched at the tribute.

I hope I do not speak out of turn when I say that, despite his erratic behaviour and destructive ways, the Chosen One is someone we can count as an ally.

The Chosen One looked slightly less touched by this addendum, but still reached over and clapped the Bard on the shoulder.

Thank you, Sewer Bard, he said, pausing when he saw the Bard reach over and attempt to kiss the back of Zakoras hand. As Zakora stared in bewilderment at his courtly manners, he used the opportunity to put his other hand behind his back, and make shoo-ing motions at the Hero.

Now, my precious proprietor, why do you ask? Sewer Bard asked, giving the barkeep a melting look.

Zakora used her free hand to reach under the bar, and pulled out four tokens.

If youre really going to save us, then why should I hold back? she asked, and slammed the tokens onto the counter.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m