Chapter Thirty-Three

Tension eased out of the group as the meal progressed. Ambrosia’s birds took turns feeding her grapes while rotating their patrol over the park. Prince Adric fed Harmony grapes too, but there was an awkward eagerness of someone who’s never served someone before but really wanted to. Like he was mimicking the birds, trying to model them for his role. Harmony accepted it with her own version of awkwardness in her lack of being served. Hyacinth would never do such a thing, and his servitude in the manor was more a joint suffering than something he’d do for his partner. She caught the beast tamer’s eyes twinkling in amusement at all of it.

All the while, the conversation drifted to mundane get-to-know-you questions. Favorite foods. Harmony’s was still fresh wild strawberries off the bush. The prince’s was kagriti, an evolved dish made of layered ingredients for maximum flavor, which took several minutes to explain. What class and profession they would have if they’d been given every option. Harmony admitted a wizard librarian because she’d still have Hyacinth, access to magic, and, ideally, access to books. Adric announced princely beast tamer and comedian, then told several terrible jokes.

The girls were more amused than overcome with laughter.

“What? All the courtiers and staff find those hilarious.”

Harmony arched her eyebrow towards Ambrosia, non-verbally asking, “Do you want to tell him?”

Her fellow maid returned a shrug with a wiggle, signaling, “Maybe, but it probably isn’t my place.”

The necromancer bit her thumb and started thinking about how best to break the news.

The prince watched the whole interaction, his own wheels spinning in his head until he clicked. “They were lying to me, weren’t they!?

“Were those your best jokes?” Harmony asked.

“I do have one about a priest evolving into a lecher.”

Harmony shook her head while Ambrosia stifled a giggle.

“Liars and sycophants. I can’t believe they did that. I’m supposed to be more than simply the pretty prince. I thought I was funny too. It was my non-skill-given talent.”

“Don’t give up. But maybe practice your jokes in front of people who don’t know you’re a prince.” Ambrosia said.

“But everybody knows….” The prince let his words drift off while lost in thought.

Three of Ambrosia’s pets swooped down and conversed with her.

“Looks like we’ve got company. Probably some other folks wanting to use the park, but it’s time to break this up. Harm is mine today. You can have her once you get this mess resolved.”

With that, Prince Adric stood up and bowed deeply to Harmony. “See you soon, mistress.” Then darted off, stirring the wind with his speed.

“You didn’t have to encourage him.”

“Do you have a solution for this problem?”

“No,” Harmony admitted begrudgingly.

“Then let those who care for you work on it. However misguided we may be.” Ambrosia leaned in and hugged her friend, her face scrunched in thought.

The two maids, familiar and birds in tow, made their way back into the city proper. Ambrosia hailed the first driver she saw, whispered to the driver then ushered everyone inside the carriage. It continued deep into the city.

“Where are you taking me?”

“It’s a surprise. I don’t need you trying to slide out of this before we get there.”

Harmony reminded herself that she owed her friend. She’d do it even if the beast tamer wanted to be led into the dungeon. Not that they were dressed for that. Surprises were not things to be excited about. You get enough bad ones and know that a nice, predictable, and planned-out event is always best.

“Don’t give me that look. I’m only planning to use you for your body and looks.”

Now she knew her leg was getting pulled.

“Haha. I’m betting you will make me a backup singer again?”

“Getting warmer but….” The carriage skidded to a halt. “We’re here.”

The beast tamer rushed out, leaving Harmony and Hyacinth to follow. The birds flying beside the carriage swooped down to rest on her outstretched arms.

Harmony stepped out and gazed upon River’s Bend amphitheater. Second largest performance site in the city if you don’t count the Colosseum. Her mom had performed here when she first hit her rise, complained about it smelling like fish, and serving the lower leveled crowds. It had been built for the masses, a complaint because it reminded her of the old life. The entry fee was capped at an iron bit, so established acts avoided the place unless they were giving a charity show.

A troupe of puppeteers ran about the stage, leaping, tumbling, and jumping about for a large crowd of kids who congregated here midday. The children’s laughter echoed loudly.

“You’re taking me to a puppet show?”

“Oh, no, our part isn’t until later. You get to meet the band, rehearse, and help set up the stage.” Ambrosia responded.

“Band?”

Her friend only answered with a grin and started leading the way.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

The band was new. Ambrosia performed at taverns like Cogg and Hall and other small venues, but that was mostly all solo performances, as she remembered joining her friend on the table of a stage not long ago.

Down they went and behind the stage to the area reserved for acts. A band of three fiddled with their instruments, each with their own style. A drummer with long mopish hair draped forward, covering half his face, wearing baggy, grungy clothes. The guitar player wore a flowing purple shirt and blue pants, making his bone-white guitar stand out. Harmony’s necromantic sense said it was bone. A petite girl, a hand taller than Harmony, twirled around energetically with a fiddle.

“Songstress!” they called.

“May I introduce you to The Harmony White.”

The guitar player leaned forward as he brushed one of his strings, causing it to hum.

“I thought she’d be taller.”

“Enough, Jimmy.” The fiddler snapped.

She extended her free hand to the necromancer. “I’m Stiriling. Grohl is on drums. We’re excited to have your support.”

Harmony shook the woman’s hand.

“I’m worried she won’t be recognizable.” Jimmy continued.

“Don’t worry. We have that covered.” Ambrosia insisted.

“The Songstress here still hasn’t informed me what I’m doing,” Harmony spoke up pointedly.

“One moment,” Ambrosia said.

The beast tamer pulled Harmony to the side by her elbow about a dozen paces away. She leaned in.

“You’re kind of a special guest. Might as well use your little bit of fame while you have it. The band lost their singer on a delve, and I’m ready to try something new. I may be using your name to get the venue and draw attention. Like I said, I’m using you for your body, being totally selfish, and cashing in that favor. You just need to be on stage and do some dancing during the concert. You won’t even have to get up and sing with me.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me that before we arrived?”

“Are you saying you wouldn’t have grumbled, been distracted, and tried to talk me out of it if I had?”

Her friend wasn’t wrong. Getting on the table at the tavern had been one thing. A stage brought back memories of her mother. Her mind grasped at a dozen objections, most of which she knew her friend would either dismiss logically or point out that she owed her. She could see the band shooting them expectant, hopeful looks.

“Fine.”

Ambrosia’s hug enveloped her, squeezing her in place.

“Great! We’ll need to get you in your armor. That will assuage Jimmy’s fear. You can help set up. Grohl and Jimmy are bards, but Stiriling is a light mage, and musician is her profession. You should see the stage magic she can do. I’ve got some new songs I need to hand to the band. Once the choreographer gets here. We’ll have you learn the dances. Songstress and the Flows will be big.”

Choreographer? Harmony could already feel a slight headache coming on.

Hyacinth sent amusement through their bond nearby.

Going to the public restroom, Harmony quickly changed out of her clothes and into her armor, Night. While [Small Armor] assured her she was more protected now, that feeling didn’t extend to protecting her from internal anxiety. [Poise and Bearing] helped put on that brave, confident face. And with that face, she marched back out.

“Woah,” Grohl spoke for the first time.

“That’s what I’m talking about. Better than the sketch in the sheets.” Jimmy crowed.

Stiriling dug through her bag and pulled out some crystal balls.

“This is something I can work with.” She said.

The ball glowed as the light mage worked her magic on it. Suddenly a slightly larger projection of Harmony appeared, making the image the tallest person there by a little bit. It was one thing to be annoyed at needing help to get something off shelves or to charge glow stones, but a whole different thing to be jealous of the giantess version of yourself looking large, in charge, and able to loom over others. And yet Harmony found herself there wishing she was big.

The image flickered out.

“Do we want to introduce her from the beginning?” Jimmy asked.

Grohl tapped his drums slowly and softly and progressed to a louder quicker pace. “Build up.” He said.

“Showmanship!” Stiriling announced, letting loose with sparkling explosions. “Songstress’s new songs, the new themes, are less polished but will give us the most impact. We’ll do the three best old songs and then, bam, have her appear projected and dancing. That way, the crowd won’t have to wait, and any stragglers will have reached their seats. It will be a coupe if we can get River’s Bend half full. “

Harmony resolved to have no opinions other than to follow directions. It would be like another day at work, standing in the corner and looking pretty. Instead of the lords and manor guests, it will be the lower leveled masses, excited that one of their own is the celebrity of the week. Jointing celebrities she could only remember if she thought hard on. Be Haram, who saved a boy. The pet combatant Sauce Tar, a tiger who was known for being adorable more than any battle prowess. Can’t blame her bestie for using this to help propel her career.

“So, where is that girl I am training?”

The level of sass in that voice demanded immediate attention. The speaker looked like he walked out of one of the fashion sketches the madam provided to inspire hairstyles. Beautiful in an outrageous and abstract way, with green dyed hair like a flame and a blood-red leather suit. But it was how he sauntered forward. [Style and Grace] seemed to ache to pick up tips at achieving that level of control.

“She’s right here, dance master,” Ambrosia said as she placed her arm around Harmony’s shoulders.

“She looks stiff as a board. Are you sure she has the requisite skills to perform up to my standards?”

The tone implied that he’d walk away immediately if she didn’t.

“I assure you, she has [Style and Grace] rare for a maid, combined with [Poise and Bearing]. She’s even recently acquired defensive and offensive skills that rely on speed, accuracy, and flexibility of movement.” Ambrosia pitched.

“I’ll be the judge of that. Ms.White, will you follow my simple directions?”

Harmony slipped into maid mode, letting her profession guide her as Ambrosia let go of her. The calm attention of her body facing the choreographer head-on, back straight, eyes forward.

“Yes, sir.”

“First step is to relax more. I’ve dealt with you servant professions, always looking to show that you’re pleasing someone. The only thing you’re to please is the dance itself. The movements. Your body. The rhythm. Following directions is good, but no one should look like an artificer’s apparatus.”

Harmony sunk into her body more, letting go of the being at attention. Relaxing while maintaining some muscle tension and good posture. [Small Armor] and [High Kick] guided her toward the calmest state of being ready to spring into action. [Style and Grace] waited to direct that potential action toward something less explosive

“That’s better. Here are the movements. Right arm out. Left arm out. Then you turn your hands toward the sky, right and then left.” The dance master demonstrated as he spoke. “Cross onto your shoulder right then left. Then behind your head, right then left. Put your hand across to your hip, right, and then left. Back around to your bottom, right, then left. Bend your knees, rocking your hips several times. Then hop, twisting to the side.”

Harmony followed the movements. While the dance master’s moves only hinted at a sway while doing them, she suspected its lack had more to do with demonstrating the base movies. He had to contain himself for teaching, and it clearly chafed. So she added that sway, relaxing her body into it, trying to imagine music to follow.

“Oh, you’ll do. Now let’s make you sweat.”