I spent a great amount of my night starting to read the scroll I got from the blood hunt member. Most of his childhood was brutal training and a doctrine of hate and fear for dragons. He wasn’t even an exceptional member. I had yet reached the point where he was starting to be chosen for missions. It must have taken him decades to grow skilled enough.
I had hoped that they would have given up since I left so little trace for so long. I saw no signs that they found any of my brothers. I held a weak hope that some of them just lay dormant somewhere with most of their collection gone and unable to fuel them. It kept me going as I prepared for what was to come.
This blood hunt cult seemed capable enough. The biggest threat wouldn’t be their soldiers but their scholars. The ingenuity of mortals was the thing to worry about. The way they dissected our strength in ways to manipulate us. I was lucky only the dead knew what my collection was. I would have to keep it that way.
I placed a slip of cloth where I was in the story and rolled it up tight. I put it back with my meager allowed belongings and reported to the servants dining room. Food was still being prepared for the masters of the manor and I requested my leathers returned to me. Everyone was friendly enough but knew I was a stranger that was going to leave soon. The meager meal they served everyone was stewed oats and dried fruit.
I bid everyone in the dining area a goodbye after packing away my leathers and wished them to be blessed by the gods. I pulled my lute over my shoulder and found Geoff the butler. He guided me to an audience with the Duke and his mother as they ate a truly prodigious meal.
“I thank you both for the honor of staying under your roof. It was a pleasure to entertain you last night. Please if you have need of me before I depart town I will let the guard know where I am staying.” I bowed deeply as I spoke and kept my head down.
“So, you decided you would not stay longer?” Said Duke Ursal.
“Yes your majesty, though your house is lovely I long to speak with the people and spin my tales to them. Maybe even gather a few new ones and get some songs while I’m at it. The life of a minstrel calls for you to be ever growing.” The sounds of utensils on plates sounded as they chewed over my words.
“You are dismissed, may your travels be blessed.” His tone was dismissive and I stood.
“May your lands be blessed and your rule be long,” I intoned the standard blessings.
Geoff guided me out of the home and sent me on my way. The morning was still early and few still lay upon the leaves and grass. The smell of freshly blooming flowers filled my nostrils and I fought off a sneeze. Spring was always the worst on my nose and I hoped to be in the capital before the pollen fell. I’d hate to spend another spring with cotton stuffed up my nostrils to avoid the sneezing and snot.
The guards searched me before dismissing me, I suspected to see if I stole anything and soon enough I was on my way. The town was quietly waking up. The far distant ringing of a blacksmith was a steady echoing sound. People milled about as I made my way to the guard house to reclaim my belongings. My purse was notably short a few bits but it would be futile to dispute it. At least the two pence remained. I settled everything and started searching for the pubs. Unfortunately none of them seemed to be combinations of pubs and inns so I’d have to separate my accommodations.
The first pub I approached had a decent crowd for the morning and smelled of the fiendishly delicious beans known as coffee. It was a rare and high sought after commodity. As I approached I heard the dulcet and peaceful sound of a well played lute and I looked through a window. I locked eyes with the other minstrel and we traded a nod to one another. This place was claimed and though I could make a fight of skill over it that would scar my name within the community. I did promise myself that if I made enough spare coins to treat myself to the delicious coffee and peaceful music.
It went that way through the town as most places lay claim to a variety of other minstrels and I hoped at least one would be open. Then upon the outskirts of town I saw a relatively busy place for its size and I approached slowly. A sign of a kettle and loaf of bread hung over the door, it so happened that the smells of honeyed bread and tea wafted through the air, and I found my mouth watering. If I wanted to save coin I could go without food for years but it was a habit I indulged in to remain as realistically human as possible, and it was enjoyable.
Once I was inside I looked around the place, many two person tables were scattered haphazardly throughout the layout of the floor. Pillars of beautifully carved depictions of historic people. A couple women well into their fortieth years bustled around the unconventional pub and dispersed wine and kettles of tea. The cups were wooden and lacquered instead of porcelain but its combination of rustic decor and fine dining warmed the heart. I noticed a small raised platform in the corner.
I approached one of the women and smiled warmly, “Miss, might you need a minstrel for your employment?” I exaggerated a shrug of the shoulder to signify my lute. “I sing, play the lute, and tell stories. I do most work at night but I can happily change my routine.”
She eyed me in my nice clothes, it helped I had bathed yesterday and still smelled slightly of flowery soap. “We don’t stay open for the nights, if you want to ply your trade during breakfast and lunch I wouldn’t be opposed. We will give you a hearty meal and tea in exchange. Anything else you earn is your business.” She pointed to my pack and shook her head, “we’ve no place to store your things. I’d suggest finding an inn for that. You can start at lunch time.”
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I nodded and thanked her, I then sat at a table and looked at her expectantly. “I have enough coin for breakfast, what do you make here?”
She smiled and tucked her empty tray under her arm. “We have bread, jam, and honey for most. If you’re looking for hardier we have cured sausages and cheese to go with the bread. Tea is served by the kettle and we consider it rude to leave any behind.”
I stroked my chin for a moment and decided I wanted something sweet. It had been a long time since I last enjoyed it. “I’ll take the jam and honey. I’ll enjoy whatever tea you think best.” I couldn’t help but smile as she nodded and walked off. I watched as she spoke briefly with the other women, I assumed about the order and the deal.
I stretched out my legs and pushed my arms out to relax and saw one of the other women approach. She was a little plumper and full bodied. Her hair and eyes light brown. “Mildred said you were looking for a place to stay. Do you know the area?” Her voice was soft and comforting like a highly experienced mother.
I shook my head, “I spent last night away from the town so I’m new to this place.”
“Your symbols means you’re a believer? Or are you falsely showing?” Her tone became taciturn and stiff.
I held a hand to my heart and spoke with all sincerity, “I know the gods exist. I believe in them all equally and follow the tenets I can.”
She nodded firmly and sat down across from me, “My eldest daughter just married off to a wonderful innkeeper. It’s called the Sling’s Best. It’s only two streets over. A nice small place caters to you traveling folk often. You can tell them Maisy sent you. Mind if you cause trouble there, I’ll make sure you get no work or stay in town.” Her finger was pointed square at my chest to prove her point. Then she softened and stood. “It’ll be quite pleasant to hear some songs again.”
She went off to her work and handed out the trays that people ordered. Soon enough the kettle came and a gentle soothing aroma emanated from it. She placed it on the table and set a cup in front of me, “it’ll be a little longer for the meal. Gotta batch cooling enough to eat.”
The people seemed affluent enough to be in quieter employments of works I was guessing scribes, tax collectors and counters, a few seamstresses by the calluses on their fingertips. The garb people wore had little lace decorations sewn in the collars and cuffs. Some of the most well dressed had the signs of powder and rouge use. A recent fad I began to notice. The Khalifdom I had been part of had thick dark ink they would stain their skin with in intricate patterns. Oh how I would marvel at my own arms once they were decorated.
The plate came and two small jars of honey and jam sat with a large bun. Mildred smiled, “three bits.” A steep price, I bet the hardy meal would be a bit less. I placed the bits in her hand and thanked her.
The bread easily pulled apart and a puff of fresh steam floated from the inside. True to Aldrin the guard’s word it wasn’t as soft as Cat’s Scratch. It was thicker and less airy but probably more filling. I dipped the bread first in the honey and enjoyed the burst of sweetness in my mouth. The faint taste of clovers melted through it and coated my palate. The jam was purple so dark it was almost black. I took another tear and used the small knife given to spread a healthy amount of jam upon it and took a bite. The rich tartness of the berries it was made of had a hint of citrus fruits and a quiet sweet sugar at the end of it all. I took my time enjoying every last bite.
“I’ll return later today for lunch. Thank you ladies.”
The air was noticeably hotter as the sun approached the quarter mark of the sky. The walls around the town robbing it of a cooling breeze. The roads had an unpleasant smell in between the buildings and I wondered if they had too little staff to manage the waste. It wasn’t clean work but it was needed. Sure enough two streets over stood a two story building with the depiction of a loaded sling above its doorways.
I entered and was greeted by a rather pregnant woman sitting uncomfortably behind a counter. Her belly pressed slightly against it as she struggled to reach a quill that teetered on the other edge of it. I plucked it up and handed it to her with a warm smile. “Maisy said this place was good for travelers.”
“Oh, Momma tells everyone this place caters to their kind. Merchants, Holy men…” she looked me up and down, “Minstrels?”
I nodded and pulled my lute around. “I’ll be playing at her little bakery. Earn some coin to be able to travel to my next destination.”
She turned and looked at the mostly barren wall of pegs and spotted one key far to the bottom left and snatched it. “Our last room is the attic. It’ll be cramped but cheap. You can catch some of the other music folk at a nearby pub between their sets. I heard whispers that they try to trade spots behind the different business’s backs. You ain’t shady like that are you?”
I chuckled, “No, I keep with the deals I make.” I took the key and went to leave but she stopped me.
“The Tea Loaf isn’t open at night sir. You’ll barely make even if your luck is thin. I know a place, it’s a bit of a walk outside the walls but if you don’t need much sleep you could play for the farmers.” Her voice was hushed as if she didn’t tell other people this.
Before I could answer a man came down the stairs. He had a sharp vest on and blackened leather shoes to his ankles. His pants were somewhat loose but he showed no sign of extra gut. “Ah, a customer. Welcome to Sling’s Best. My wife already get you a room, sir?”
I nodded and held up the key. Without a second glance he motioned for me to follow. I looked back at the woman, “which way to that drinking spot?”
“East, easy to spot.” She smiled and waved goodbye.
Up the stairs I was led down a long hallway and then at the end there was a very thin stairway up into what I assumed was the attic. “Only a quarter bit a night. No service for your clothes but the door comes with a lock. No playing your tunes when the sun is down for the other patrons of my establishment.” He didn’t wait for me to acknowledge and walked briskly away.
At least a dozen rooms were up here and I saw some nicer doors downstairs. I climbed through the tight stairs and unlocked the door. Climbing inside I found a tight fitting cot with just enough room to stoop inside. There was storage under the cot and I tucked all but my lute inside. I pulled my instrument free and relocked the door. I had a long day ahead of me.