The barkeep and I helped most of the men out of the pub in the wee hours of the morning and sobered enough of them up to the point where they could walk to their homes. Then he pulled out two shovels and we got to work. I was in charge of shoveling the vomit and piss mud and he brought in fresh dirt to replace the divots in the ground. That down he brought in a well worn piece of timber and we worked together to stamp down the earth. Wiping the sweat from my brow I realized that my hands stunk of filth.
“Do guards let people in this late in the night?” I asked the barkeep.
“Aye they do. Ya good to find your way in the dark? I can’t spare no lanterns.” His tone was gruff and I could hear the doubt he had in my abilities to return to town.
“I’ll make it, I’ll see you tomorrow Eve.” With that I left the tavern and went into the darkness of the sparse wooded trail.
It had taken me a millennium to master shape shifting to gain the forms of mortals. Even then the process of artificially aging myself had been a tough lesson to learn. The first major dragon hunting group had found me on no less than three occasions because I forgot to age. ‘The Unaging Man!’ Was a legend still to this day in the east. I had spread rumors that I had found a spring of eternal youth while lost in the forest but it did not fool the hunters.
I let my eyes change to their base dragon form. The world came into focus in shades of white and dark. Outlines of sleeping forms littered the ground of those too drunk to make it far and instead collapsed onto the ground. They had a fool’s luck that there was no scent of rain in the air. I felt a longing to fully transform into my true self as it had been so long since I had spread my wings. To fly through the air and feel the updrafts that would keep you hovering for hours. I shook my head as I walked to town dispelling the thoughts. I’d have enough time during the next calamity where I could be my true self.
The guards did little to stop me and wrinkled their nose at the smell of my approach and I decided to stop by the well. One bucket of icy water and I scrubbed my hands together. I did not carry soap with me so readily so I would have to come during the day and wash more properly. Unless this was a town that had the proverbial ‘wash day’, it might be too close to winter still for that.
Going to my room I stripped down to my underclothes and collapsed onto the cot and drifted off instantly.
The door to my attic room was knocked on fiercely and a call sounded through the door. “Tea Loaf will expect you soon so you best get up.”
I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and stretched out on the cot feeling my bones crack and I debated changing back to a younger self between towns but I was building a reputation that might get me into the court of the king as a master minstrel. Then I could start my search for Profitable in earnest. I slipped into my nice clothes and combed my fingers through my hair before leaving. I’d shave clean later between my lunch work and heading to the pub outside of town.
The town was still quiet this morning, the air brisk and cold. The scent of fresh tea and baking bread greeted me outside the Tea Loaf. The door was closed tight and I knocked lightly. Soon Mildred answered the door and gave me a winning smile. She ushered me inside and led me to the stool I’d play on. I began tuning the lute to perfection as the wood settled from the cold to the warm inside room.
“I’ll bring you a loaf of bread as soon as it cools. You won’t be getting the honey and jam this morning.” She winked and set down a cup and tea kettle.
I sipped the relaxing brew and the heat almost lulled me back to sleep. Soon though it would hit my system and wake me up a little. I began playing a light and upbeat tune for the ladies to enjoy while they prepared. Chairs were pulled off the table and everything was dusted quickly. The sunlight was peeking through the slats of the windows and the door was propped open. A few early customers walked in and settled into chairs. The same droopy eyes filled with sleep were on everyone’s face. Tea was brought out, platters of their chosen meals flowed from the kitchen in the back.
I took small breaks to take a few nibbles of bread and another cup of tea. Soon enough it was empty and the kettle was taken away to be rinsed and reused for the next customer. The captain of the guard, lacking his armor, entered the place with a young wife upon his arm. He still managed to be imposing without his weapons. They sat nearby and he eyed me as I played. I gave him a nod of the head and his platter was meat laden and he tore into it far more gently than I expected. The woman spoke near constantly about how Tea Loaf was her favorite as she enjoyed her jam and a little butter. She spoke of the music I was playing and how she wanted their children to learn an instrument to woo their spouses.
Soon he had finished eating and spoke a soft word to his wife and approached me, “I expected you to still be playing for the Duke.”
Meeting his eyes I continued to play, “I prefer to play for a crowd. I’m sure it would have earned me more coin, however I didn’t feel very welcome from Geoff.”
He nodded and rubbed the gruff on his face, “aye, he’s a snooty bastard. Good at his job though.” He placed a hand forward, “Edward Shepardson.”
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I stopped my song and shook his hand, “Dolan Talespinner, it is a blessing to meet you a second time.”
“Where you heading Dolan? I got a feeling you’re not sticking around too long.” His eye was piercing and I felt like I was being interrogated.
“I want to see if I can make a living in the capital. With dreams of serving the royal court.” It was as truthful as I could be.
With a nod he turned with a final word, “luck to you.”
The crowd died down as work started and the ladies clapped politely for my performance and Maisy approached. “You decide on a different song for the day? Something more warm perhaps?”
I fought off rolling my eyes and set the lute propped against the wall nearby. “For you Maisy I’ll pick something warmer. There is a few I know that’ll fit the spring.”
She nodded satisfied, “You want some more tea?”
“No, thank you. Is there a temple to the gods in this town? I’d like to pray before the lunch rush.” It had been too long since I tried to commune with the gods. I needed more hints on if I was on the right path, or if my search was fruitless.
“There is one on the south most side of the town. A humble place that is used by those mourning the dead. Priest Hoven watches over the place.”
“Blessing to you Maisy. I’ll trust my lute to your care.” I left the Tea Loaf and made my way out and around towards the south. The streets turned to cobblestone nearer the church and it looked like men were working the thawed earth of the roads to change them to the sturdier cobble.
The church came into view and I felt a sorrow fill me. It was less a church and more a shrine. It stood maybe four heads taller than a man. An ancient withered man swept the stone steps and I could hear the muttering prayers of many gods. As I approached he raised his eyes to me before stopping in the many symbols upon my neck. Then a smile as warm as the sun spread across his face. “A fellow holy man,” his voice was like sand running through an hourglass.
I shook my head soberly, “Blessings be upon you Hoven. I’m a pious and humble minstrel. I pay tribute to all the gods for their work upon this land.”
The man’s smile did not change as he hobbled down the two stairs to the road. I approached and he started studying my symbols closely. “You have some rather old gods in here for such a young man. Were you raised at a monastery?”
“I spent a few years at one. Learning all about the gods and why each is important in the balance of the world.” I placed took his hands and walked him to the shrine and looked at the engravings of the gods. Some were gouged out and I motioned to them. “Who committed such blasphemy?”
Hoven had sorrow in his voice, “the former duchess gouged out Terus for taking her husband so early in life. A vandal marred the symbol of Reln in defiance of order and justice once his father was put to death for killing another. It was such a sorrowful time for this shrine as many did not want to risk the ire of those that hated the gods.”
I shook my head at the short sighted nature of mortals and looked to Hoven. “Would you join me in prayer priest? I seek the gods and their guidance.”
With a nod he opened a hidden chest and pulled out cushions to kneel upon. We knelt side by side and bowed our heads in deference. Hoven led the prayer as was his place and inwardly I called to the gods.
Please, give me a Call if I am on the right path. I do not know if I can stop the next calamity. Even when it was just the Reaper and I could not stop the catastrophe that tore the earth asunder and cast us into thousands of years of snow and ice.
I shall seek the strength I can. But I beg I not be left alone with the world upon my shoulders.
The prayer ended and many looked upon us. Fear that we had angered the former duchess with our open belief in the gods. I would defy her if need be. Her favor though would benefit if I wanted to truly infiltrate the court of the king.
Hoven placed the cushions back to the hidden compartment and I pressed a bit into his hand gratefully. “May you be blessed in the coming years by all that watch us.”
He pulled my head down and kissed my forehead lightly, “May you be blessed, child of the gods.”
I nodded and returned to Tea Loaf. I sang a song of spring. The awakening of the world. A celebratory song of blessings to come. After a small meal given to me I washed and shaved near the well. Several men and women joined in the ritual to cleanse our bodies of filth I lead a song of old about the kings that first bathed the people to fight plagues. We all donned our next set of clothes. The men, myself included, hauled the used water to the edge of town and dumped it in the stream.
That done it was time to work at the pub and spread a story. As I walked I wondered which lifetime I would tell the hunters. I was distracted and barely noticed the group of men blocking my path. The drunk that had brought a pelt for beer challenged me by stepping forward.
“I want me skinnin’ knife back ya bastard.” His words were sharp and threatening.
“Are you gonna try to stab me again? If so I’ll have to knock a few teeth loose.” I kept my back straight and exuded as much confidence as possible.
He shrunk back at the returned threat probably hoping I would be cowed by the group of men. “I need it to make me livin’. No harm will come to ya if yous give it back.”
I reached behind my back and plucked the knife I had taken from him and offered it out with a hand. “I won’t give it back if I have to take it again.” I stared at the lot of them all. “Why don’t we put last night behind us and you actually listen to my tale tonight?”
Some of their eyes lit up at that. Maybe in their drunken stupors they remembered the story last night. I pushed past them and walked the rest of the way to the bar. This time it smelled significantly better. Maybe I would mention getting some sawdust on the floor.
As men gathered bringing coin and pelt for a beer I leaned against the wall by the fireplace and began my next tale.