I approached the barkeep that final night. Having told my three tales and stopped a few fights I leaned against the counter. “This is where we part. I never got your name.”
He spit and polished another glass with a dirty rag. One of the many reasons I chose not to have a drink here. “Me dad had a sense a humor. Named me Sally, I go by Sal.”
“Well Sal thanks for letting me spin my tales here. You were right, these men were quite tight with their coin except for your beer.” I stretched my back out and waited a tense moment trying to see if he would honor the deal without me having to spell it out.
Eying me he snorted, “Fine, I’ll get yer pelts. As I said it’ll be up to ya to sell em yerself.” Placing the glass down he bent over and fetched a crate that was piled high with pelts of all kinds. He sorted through the pile of them and placed a couple of them down. Two fox pelts with vibrant orange fur and a pure white rabbit pelt.
I inspected them and summed that whoever skinned them had a steady hand and it was nice and even thickness. I’d get about a pence worth for them all. Gathering them and I gave a final nod to him walking away. The door continued to creak as I stepped outside and felt a small breeze.
The air started to have some pollen floating about and I dreaded how I’d be feeling for a few weeks. I could never figure out that whatever form I took it always bothered me. A potent sneeze built up and as I walked I rubbed my nose fervently.
The hunters too drunk to make it home snoozed under the trees once more. I wondered how many a year died to exposure to nature overnight. I’m sure that at one point in time they were welcome to sleep inside. I remembered my tip about spreading sawdust on the ground to help keep it easy to clean. I was getting forgetful these days. With finding Gerald a wife to this tip for the barkeep.
The guards welcomed me back to town in the twilight hours and I walked to Sling’s Best. Resting in the cramped room I thought about poor Brewmaster. He above us all had fostered a loyal people to his name. I had used every drop of power trying to revive him. I pleaded to the gods for their graces to bring forth a miracle. Mortals seemed to turn on us as soon as we showed our true strength. Fear turned the world against us in an instant. I slipped into sleep and dreamt of flying through the skies.
I was once again woken up by a pounding in the door to get me to rise for the day to work for Tea Loaf. I stripped and changed into my minstrels clothes. I’d make sure to wash up before leaving town so I’d have clean smelling clothes.
I walked in the brightening morning. The Tea Loaf always smelled so good. Plus being inside the walls of the town cut the pollen filled winds from bothering my nose. I entered the building and approached the women as they gossiped over a few cups of tea.
“Ladies, it has been a pleasure serving your establishment. The call of wanderlust burns in my soul so this morning will be the last of my services for you all.”
Missy spoke first and looked at me sadly. “I know I’ll miss your lovely lute playing and songs. You’ve been more pleasant a minstrel that we’ve ever put time into having one.” She looked at the other women and met Mildred’s eyes. “What do you think ladies. How much extra customers have come these last few days?”
Mildred smiled and counted on her fingers quietly. “I think with his meals he should have better us enough extra to pay him a half pence. He did love to indulge in jams and honey.” The ladies laughed merrily.
I nodded and smiled, “your meals were too delicious to turn down. I think that is a fair price for my talents.” I made my way over to my usual seat and tuned my lute. As the first customers came in I was already playing a melodic and soft tune. I hadn’t seen the captain of the guard and his wife since the one encounter. As the morning went I was brought a small loaf of bread and some dried meat. On the platter was the half pence as promised.
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Wrapping up it all I waved to the ladies and went to leave. As I stepped outside I was met with a few guards staring right at me. “Dolan the bard?” Said the foremost one.
I nodded and straightened myself, “I’m sure I haven’t broken any laws. What can I do for you honorable gentlemen?”
“The Duke would like to speak to you. Come with us.” There were no threats in his voice but there was a strong sense of authority. Without waiting for me to respond they turned and began walking away. I fell in behind them and kept up with their brisk pace throughout the city.
We met with Duke Ursal in his garden as he sat upon one of the many benches. His mother sat next to him and watched on like a hawk. I bowed deeply with the guards and waited to be addressed.
“There are some missives for a few towns along the way to the capital. That’s what my people have told me you spoke of while you were in my estate. The most important one is for Duke Haverford. You have about three duchies to go through before you reach the capital of our lands. You’ll be charged with carrying these messages.” A nearly unseen servant stepped forward with the satchel I had left with the Duke. It was much more full than when I went from Gromstome to here.
I bowed as it was brought forth, “it would be an honor good Duke.” I took the satchel and pulled the strap over my shoulder and stood straight. “Is there anything else I can do to serve you?”
The Duke was about to shake his head when his mother placed a gentle hand on his leg and caught his attention, “Though you have the authority to demand this man’s service one should always offer something in return for services.”
Ursal nodded and seemed to remember something. “Fetch me one of the letters of payment. You can use it to buy the food you’ll need for the road. That should be enough to earn your services.”
“You’re too kind sire. I thank you and wish you blessings from the gods.” I straightened and fought off yet another sneeze from the flowers in the garden.
As I waited the Duke’s mother cleared her throat. “My men reported to me that you prayed at the shrine to the gods. Are you a true believer in all the gods?”
I nodded, “Yes my lady. I’ve believed in the gods since I was old enough to. I’ve seen miracles from those that keep the faith. As I have taught others it also doesn’t hurt for a traveler to ask for as much guidance as he can.”
“How might someone atone for a wrongdoing they may have committed against the gods?” There was a worrying her tone and I wondered if something could have happened recently through the lands.
“I would start with repairing the shrine and ensuring it is taken care of properly. Meet with the priest to do some ceremonies of repentance. I would also suggest daily prayers to the gods until you feel like their wrath has passed.” These were the old ways I knew and had done so myself.
With a nod of understanding she thanked me and waited quietly. A deep look of contemplation and worry was still evident in her eyes. The note came and handed it to the Duke. He looked it over and nodded. Holding it out to me he addressed me for the last time, “This is good enough for a pence worth of dried food and goods. It won’t cover anything else. More than fair and should let you travel a good distance on your own.
I took it graciously with both hands, “May the gods watch over your rule Duke Ursal. May your repentance be successful Duchess.” I was escorted to the gate to his estate and gave just a wave of goodbye to the guards.
I went to the market and approached the finery shop. With a gentle knock upon the door I entered. A young man stood next to his twin if not for the age difference I could see. A spitting image of his father. His voice cracked with the transition to adulthood. “Welcome to Finest Finery where all your garb needs are met.”
I smiled and approached fishing out the pelts I was given. I placed them upon the counter and began haggling. I got the least amount for the rabbits pelt as it wasn’t large enough for anything besides a kids pair of gloves and the fad of knitted wool ones had gripped the local people. With everything said and done I had traded it for a leather hood for the coming spring rains. I could see it upon my traveling clothes easily enough.
I was able to supply a couple towns worth of supplies so I could be charitable with where I would spin my stories and bid the town goodbye. Sure enough the hood had been a good idea along with putting my lute in its case.
The rain started innocently enough as I walked but soon the winds picked up and the rain turned into great droplets coming down in sheets of water. The trees were still bare of leaves big enough to stop the rain and I debated turning back until it let up but I needed to forge onward. If Profitable lives still then I need him to start getting stronger immediately so I wouldn’t be alone for the calamity. Putting my head down and pulling the hood down I leaned against the wind and trudged forward.