After the guard let me into the town I stretched my arms and legs and looked around. I would have to be very careful on what venue I would choose to set up in to maximize the amount of coin I would get. That would be what determined how long I would be here in Greenstown. The town was absolutely bustling with activity and had many people running back and forth between the buildings. Every building seemed to be two stories tall with some form of residence on top made of stone on the bottom and wooden constructions on top. Shops and income making businesses filled the bottoms of the homes to support the families that lived above. The clothes that people wore were much thicker and I could feel the air was more chilly inside the walls without the breeze that normally would be around a place without actually large walls of protection.
No one was in the traveling gear that I was currently wearing and as I approached further into town the more elegant and vibrant the clothes were. The buildings seemed to climb even higher than before with several stories with window open and women hanging sopping clothes out in the air to dry. Underneath all the elegance was a sort of grime that was not taken care of as well as some of the smaller towns but with this many people that would be a truly monumental task and cost for the lord of the town. I started to spot great taverns two stories tall already singing the customary songs that often filled the halls of drunkenness and joy.
My first thought was I needed to find where I would be working and then find where I might stay nearby. I could shoot for less affluent areas to cut down on costs of living but it would hinder the amount of money I could get from the patrons I hoped to entertain. I set my eyes upon a two story tavern that was quieter than the rest and I could see light amounts of smoke coming from its chimney. Upon the front of the tavern hanging above the door was an image of a goat spitting into a flagon. I wondered how many years it would be before taverns would have written signs upon their front instead of depictions of what the tavern might be named after. A pipe dream of sorts I suppose.
The doors creaked as I pushed through them and a sense of somber feelings flooded the air. Most of the men at the tables seemed to be some form of soldier on reprieve. I wondered if the news of the invasion filled the town and that those that were in the military of the king were feeling the impending death and destruction that war caused. Wenches went from table to table distributing tall frothing pints of ale and the occasional sweet smell of mead permeated the air for those that had sweeter tastes. Two identical men stood behind the bar. Each of them tended to pour drinks and make sure customers would be taken care of. The only differences I could tell between the two was a mole upon the bottom lip of one and the colors of the clothes they wore.
I approached and set down my lute on the counter as a signal for their attention. THe two locked eyes like those born with one another and an unseen communication passed between the two in a moment and the one with the mole approached me. “What’ll it be, stranger?”
I cleared my throat and spoke to him, “My name is Dolan Talespinner. I am a traveling bard and minstrel and would like to ply my trade in this fine establishment and lift the spirits of your patrons. I heard this town enjoyed its song and merriment. I would like to come to an arrangement and maybe get a hint at the nearest place to stay that won't raid my belongings as I worked here. If you two would be so inclined to attempt and lift the moods of the soldiers with more than just ale and mead.”
“I’ll need to speak with my brother, anything you might drink while you wait for our answer?” His tone was gruff and uninterested and I had a flash of inspiration if they would take long to discuss this together.
”I’ll take a mead good sir. That would quench the road dust that seems to be in my throat.” As soon as they walked away I pulled out my lute and walked to the center of the room. I sipped the mead and looked at everyone playing a fast chord and catching everyone’s attention. “Who knows a tawdry wench! Oh Ho I need a pint!” I laced the words with magic of joy and interest. Filling it to bursting with camaraderie.
In an instant the men perked up and joined in my song. Their jovial tones uplifting each other's spirit and in a moment I didn’t need to fuel the energy of the song. The natural inclination of mankind to infuse things with purpose, taking over like it had when I guided the people back to Merryweather from the bandit camp. The two barkeeps came out and watched me as I played and nodded to one another as everyone started coming for more drinks to wet their singing voices and join in the festivities.
I approached and nodded to them, swigging down a few gulps of mead and smiling broadly. “So am I hired?”
”What are your terms?” Said the unblemished twin.
”If anyone asks to buy me a drink, bring me some water and pocket the money. I take 3 quarter bits for everyone spent on the drink and you keep the last quarter. I play at lunch and dinner and into the night. I’ll be here for a while so I hope to bring you plenty of business. In the mornings I’ll sit upon the stoop and play my songs to drum more attention for the business.”
The mole sporting twin piped up, “You’ll get a half bit not three quarter bits.”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
I stroked my chin and nodded at the preposition. “I can agree to that. I’ll be setting up a pouch to receive any other coins directly if they are offered. I’ll give you guys a quarter bit for every whole bit I get. In exchange for your information on an inexpensive place to stay while I get things in order and perform what I can. Do you know of any patrons in town that are looking for entertainment?”
They both shook their heads but one of them held out a hand to seal the deal. We clasped hands in mutual understanding and I stepped away to play another rousing song before I told the group to let everyone know that I would be playing later tonight after I settled in for the day. I shook hands and received thanks from several people and clapped people on the shoulder saluting them with my own drink which I finished leaving a warmth spreading through my chest. I stepped up to the two barmen and we conversed shortly about local homes that were opening themselves to travelers and inns that had open rooms. The merchants had recently come through so there would be plenty of places to stay with good reputation if I was willing to spend the coin.
Memorizing the sign of the goat spitting into the mug I turned to the left exploring the town little looking for the inn they had most recommended to me. I scanned the buildings and went about looking for the sign they described to me. Not a name mind you just what the sign looked like. A feather resting on a chair. I chortled slightly and named it in my mind maybe something along the lines of tickle bums. Amused at myself I wondered and laid my eyes upon a finery. Cloth and find suits of clothes hung in the open shutters. I could see a woman and man working on measuring a young man with manicured hands and coiffed hair.
I made my way over and looked at the needle and thread symbol that laid over their door and entered. The man looked over to me and motioned for the woman to continue. Most likely a married couple making the most of their time. His voice was soft but controlled. A overly polite tone that made me feel looked down upon. “Apologies, we don't make traveling clothes at this establishment but we can recommend someone for you if you wish.”
I smiled warmly and shook my head lightly, “I need new minstrel clothes. Something that would impress even a noble. I have coin to spend, if that is what you are worried about.” I set my lute and pack down on a chair nearby and pulled out my current outfit to present it. “My name is Dolan Talespinner, I was sent by Duke Ursal to entertain the court for a few days and don’t feel like this would do my skills justice. Not one bit. I need something more vibrant and eye-catching, so I might attract a worthy patron for me to continue mastering my craft.”
The man stroked the clothes and felt their make. He pinched and rolled it before taking it from my hands holding it out and looking at the stitch work and colors. He spoke with a tinge of interest, “These aren’t too bad. But the courts have been fancying brighter colors while looking forward to a flower filled spring. Would you be willing to part with these as part of the deal?”
I shook my head, “I’m rather attached to them sir. I’ve had them for a long time and even learned to sew the repairs by several seamstresses instructions. I’ll pay full price for a new set and keep these as well. For when I am entertaining in town while the second set is made.”
He looked me up and down nodding, “Fair. It is customary for people entertaining the court to have a coat of arms or emblem unique to them. Do you have anything like that?”
With a nod I began to describe it, “My master wore upon his breast such a symbol. A scroll wrapped around a lute with a wolf emblazoned on the scroll. That should be my symbol in his honor.”
The man ushered me over and wrote several notes down in quick scrawling handwriting. With that he looked at me once more. “I don’t have anything available to take any measures today. I have appointments throughout the day. I have three days hence from now that I can put you down for just past lunch. We will take measurements and discuss proper colors to symbolize you. It’ll be a pence in advance for the measurements and we will discuss the price of the fabric afterwards.”
I reached into my coin pouch and produced the unhidden pence to offer the man. It was a steep price but by the examples that hung on the wall and seeing what their usual customer looked like I thought it would be worth the investment. “Before I go, do you happen to know where the inn that has the feather on the stool sign is placed upon its door?”
With a breath he nodded and pointed to the right outside the door. “Two streets overhead to the left and you’ll be there. Good people, though for the class you are looking to become, it might be a little below your station. But to each their own. Have a good eve Dolan. We will see you in a few days.”
Grabbing my belongings I followed the instructions and found myself in front of the inn. I looked upon it and the sign suppressing a chuckle once more and entered. A man burly and wide sat looking at a book upon his counter and muttering to himself. Haphazard keys lay on pegs behind him holding placards with numbers on them. As I approached he pierced me with grass green eyes. His fiery red hair well groomed and slicked back with a small mustache spreading from above his lip to his sideburns. Leaving a naked chin below it. He smiled and his slightly yellowed teeth were stained with fresh chewed tobacco. He pulled up a metal pot and spit into it as I approached.
“I need a room for the foreseeable future. And steady access to a bath to clean and be presentable. Can you provide that?”
“Featherdown has you covered sir let's talk.” His voice was surprisingly silken smooth. “My prices are reasonable but we only let people stay here of certain caliber. What might be your profession sir?”
I was almost tired of introducing myself today but it was custom in these lands. “I am Dolan Talespinner, traveling bard and minstrel. I’ve sung and told tales in every town I’ve visited on my way to the capital and plan to ply my trade here in this fine town. I have a venue at the tavern with the spitting goat and even played a rousing song for the downtrodden soldiers earlier this day. I’ve even played for Duke Ursal not long ago.”
The man smiled and nodded, “Might you have proof of that last claim good sir?”
Pulling a missive with the Duke’s seal upon it I waved it in front of the man. “A letter of introduction to the court. Very precious to me so I will not have you inspect it.”
“Fair good sir, I think you would fit in with my establishment. We will get you settled in and a bath drawn.”
I followed the man as he took down a key and made a note of my name. We walked up a flight of stairs and came to the first door. He slotted the key in and opened it slowly. The bed was well appointed and a shuttered window lay open letting the sunshine stream inside. A trunk with a lock sat upon the foot of the bed. Key set inside the lock for my use. A washing bowl sat upon a stand against the wall. It was empty and waiting to be used.
“Enjoy your stay.”