Mary already wondered what the bard Dolan was up to. She had been moved by his story and she couldn’t wait to retell it to other people. Her Papa humored her by listening to her practice the tale. She helped reorganize things as the road trundled forward. Papa seemed extra cautious watching the road for another rut to avoid. Only a few days until they were at the small town they were bringing tools to.

Mary had asked if she could have a lute and with a sigh Papa had said she had to earn the coin to buy it. They didn’t have enough coin to spare for a frivolous purchase. She had saved three bits and when they entered the town they were delivering she bought the water stopping oil for leathers and a rag. She went home to home and offered to tend to their boots and packs for a half bit per item.

All day she worked her hands sore and earned a whole pence and smiled greatly. She showed her Papa what she had done and he was so proud of her that he bought her a roasted spit of beef that night. She saved half the pence worth of bits and had to buy more oils. The hunters of the town had heard of the little girl helping with the tedious task and came into town and made a line at the wagon.

Papa made his way to the leader of the town to arrange for more business hauling supplies and gear to get another place or offering to go and fetch what the city needed and return with it.

Mary was so tired by the end of the second day and her hands stunk of the oils. She had earned a pence and five bits and set it all aside to speak with her father. She rubbed her hands in the cold water at the well and the aches from the work melted away thanks to her youthful energy.

Papa celebrated with her and how she had made enough coin to purchase a beginners lute and basic strings. It wasn’t as fancy as Dolans and was a little smaller to accommodate for her size. The next day she spent practicing at the well as the women of the town sat and did their washing. They sang along with the lullaby she had been taught and it was the most soothed the people had felt in a long time.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

Papa came to the well and smiled at what was happening. He hadn’t seen Mary so happy since her mother had passed and one of the women approached him.

“Your little Mary is such a talented and hard working girl. You must have done a good job raising her.” The woman gently touched his hand and flushed.

“My wife did most of it. Poor Mary hasn’t been so joyous since her death of the bloody cough. I’m glad she was able to find something from such a kind traveler.”

“A traveler?” The woman inquired as she moved the bucket holding the garments she had tended to her other hip.

“We met a bard named Dolan, he helped unstick our wagon from a deep rut. Even repaired the road while we rested. That night he told us a story I hadn’t heard before. Then the next day as he rode with us taught Mary that very song. Truly he was a blessing from the gods.” Gerald sighed and clapped his hands, “Too bad he kept at Merryweather. I had been hoping he would travel with us again and help me find a good woman.” He blushed at the implication and turned his eyes away.

The woman laughed melodically and sighed, “The women here don’t just marry men willy nilly but the priest reads letters written to us. Keep in touch and see if Mary will tell the story to other children. I’ll let the ladies know and we can bring food and do a grand picnic. Promised to be a good eve for that.”

That evening around dinner a group of children came with their mothers and all set up around the tent and Mary nervously sat before them. She didn’t have the lute in her hand but she started to tell the tale Dolan had told her.

Far off in the distant city of Merryweather Weaver felt a little more power come to him.