The cot was very still, it felt like laying on a hard plank of wood. The guards that brought in the cot were not very gentle and left with terse words. I could hear an alarm bell sound when I first arrived as the people of the area were brought to the keep and told to secure their sheep for the day. I could hear the people through the walls of the room I was in and the slit of a window that let in little light. A couple candles were lit and gave me a little light. I was able to find two letters addressed to Sir Gellick here at the Beelin Hold. I hadn’t realized that the place had a name.
In the morning I was not brought a meal and instead snacked on the last of my dried food and water. I put everything away and readied to see the Knight Captain. I could hear him and two guards approaching. The door was knocked on twice before it was opened without me recognizing their approach.
“Richard tells me that you are called Dolan Talespinner, state your business and why you might be holding letters of the land?” Sir Gellick was large, a mountain of a man. Upon his hip hung a large mace with flanged edges. His armor was thicker chain than most with an extra layer of hardened leather to protect from the powerful piercing weapons that had started to gain popularity in combat. A half cape of the Duke’s colors waved upon his back. His boots were well maintained and shined a little with leather polish. Though I could hear the clop of wooden soles as he walked so they must be shaped well to fit such a man.
“I met with Duke Ursal. I was given the honor of entertaining him for two nights and in return he wrote me a letter of introduction to a higher court for me to possibly find a steady place of employment. In return I offered to carry and distribute letters with no cost versus a messenger.”
Sir Gellick stroked the black stubble on his chin and looked at me in contemplation. “You really impressed him that much? He is just a young boy so it might not have taken much for him to be impressed. Now, produce the letters to me and I’ll come back and talk with you more.”
I held out the two letters to this hold and Sir Gellick. I kept my eyes lower as was tradition for messengers to do when delivering letters. “Here you go, good knight. These are the ones that I found that were detailed to you.”
“You can read? Impressive, I haven't known many travelers or non nobles that have learned the art.”
“I spent a winter in a noble’s home and was taught the ways of reading so that I would narrate some of the lord’s favorite books to his children in compensation for my stay. I was truly honored that winter.” I kept my words humble and didn’t mention that I had taken part in crafting the very language the man used to this day and even some of the rules of etiquette that people followed to this day. Of course if I did it would point out what I was in some ways.
Sir Gellick laughed, “I know that I would make such an arrangement if I was stuck housing a bard in my home for a time. I have yet to have children,” He chuckled softly, “Well, not legitimate children anyway. I may have to legitimize one of the bastards so that I will have someone to train along the way.”
The guards around him laughed with him but it was obviously forced for them versus the ring of truth that Sir Gellick had. As he turned to leave he stopped and looked at me. “You seem to be a good man. Is there anything that you want to ask me?”
“How is Richard doing?” I was worried about the young man and how he might be feeling with the scars on his mind and soul. He was a softer soul and should be taken care of in some ways should he be healed in any way.
“The squire? We have put him in a cell for now. He admitted to a heinous crime and it’ll be up to the Duke or King should he be given any relief in sentence.” With a sigh he stopped and pondered looking at me. “Did he tell you what happened?”
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I nodded, not wanting to lie, especially if they went to interrogate poor Richard. “He did, I thought that since he was given orders to do so he would be given some leniency. I do admit I don’t know the way of the laws and what should happen in the future.”
Sir Gellick looked at me up and down. “Will you speak of it to anyone?”
“Only if you tell me to. I have many stories I could tell instead. Tales from all throughout history that might help entertain others.” Part of me worried that I would be taken into the dungeons for holding as well.
Sir Gellick sighed and motioned to the guards to start heading out. “Would you be willing to help calm some of my people? They are worried that we called them into the walls. I will be telling them that they should pack some of their belongings and prepare to move into the hold’s walls. The loss of innocents would be a shame to the land.”
I nodded softly, “I would be honored beyond words to help you and your people. If I may ask something?”
“Speak your mind, bard.”
“I had to use some of my extra supplies to keep Richard strong enough to get here. I will need some way to resupply with dried goods so that I may continue traveling to the King’s city and try to be part of his court.” I pulled out my coin purse. “I have money to buy.”
“I’m sorry but we have to hold all of our supplies in case we fall under a siege. We need any scrap of food we can after the winter. I might even call to slaughter some of the sheep and have them smoked and dried in preparation. You’ll have to go hungry on the road.” Sir Gellick’s voice was sharp and full of authority.
“I completely understand good Sir. Thank you for letting me ask in any way. I will think of what tale to tell to your people in return for your hospitality and the meal last night. Let me know when I am free to go along my way to deliver more of the messages I carry.” I kept my eyes down and looked at his shined shoes. The swishing of his cape started with the rattle of his chainmail as he went to leave the room.
“You’ll at least get another meal before you leave. After you entertain my people that I am looking over.”
I was left in the room as I went about changing into my performance clothes and tuned my lute slowly. I didn’t know when I would be summoned to perform as I assumed that Sir Gellick would tell them what to prepare for and have them move some of their essentials for those that didn’t work on the pastures. As I tuned one of my strings snapped and I let out a mighty sigh in return. It had been a long time since a string broke on me and I started sifting through my belongings to replace it from my supplies. Threading it through the peg and securing it to the bottom of the lute and started to tighten it slowly. It was my only replacement for this particular string and would need to buy replacement strings in the capital.
A chill went down my spine as a sliver of my power left me once more. I hated the feeling and worried what it might mean. One day I would find out why and how my power functioned but it would be a time before I could do something to properly find out. Such fluctuations always made me uncomfortable. Like I was losing more than just a drop of power.
It was around noon when a pair of guards came for me and I was brought out into the courtyard. People were talking and milling about themselves. I could hear that tension in the air of fear and worry. Sir Gellick stood on a small slap shod platform that I assumed he used to talk to his people.
“I’d like to introduce a bard that happened to be passing through our homes during this trying time. Tonight we will come together for a communal meal and he will entertain us with a story. I wanted to let the people help choose what he may tell us. Please everyone welcome Dolan Talespinner.’ Sir Gellick called me to his side and I approached slowly and carefully. I made sure to exude confidence though. I know people hated to listen to meek and boring bards. I had seen plenty of them in my time. Trained them past such hurdles many times. “Now let us hear what kind of stories you can tell.”
“I’ve been working my trade since I was just old enough to talk and work the trade. I know a thousand stories and can tell this group of nearly everything. I am very good at my job.” I raised my hands as some people now looked on with greater interest. Some of them started to yell out suggestions.
One voice of a young girl seemed to cut through the air. “Do you have any tales about magical goats and sheep?” I could barely hear it and raised my hands into the air. I pointed to the girl and motioned for her to repeat herself. “I was wondering, my dad is very proud of being a shepherd and has never told me a story about any heroes or fables about sheep.”
I could see all the children begin to nod and look to their parents to try and get them to agree to the suggestion. Soon a hush moved through the crowd and they looked upon me.
My mind raced before locking onto an experience I once had. “Has anyone heard the tales to find the golden sheep? Whose hair could be spun into gold threads that would heal any wound? A truly magical beast and the heroes that went to find them?”
I could see interest light up in everyone’s eyes as they began nodding and the sudden energy of the children having their own way. Sir Gellick pressed his hands upon my shoulder and motioned for me to leave. “You can come back when the feast is prepared.”
Being brought back to the audience chamber I kicked my feet back and looked at the ceiling. “How did that story go again?”