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 Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 8:52 am
CHARACTER BIOCharacter Name: Tessa Sirat Race: Human Class: Servant Subtype: European Element: Sound Gender: Female Age: 28 Family: Father: Thomas Sirat A human widower of great voice and greater poise born into the service of the elven Noble, Telperinquar En'Logist. He served as the bard to the elf his entire life and his daughter later assumed his position. The Sirat family has always accepted their place in society as the lessers of the elves. His one regret is that he feels responsible for his wife's death, though his part in it he plans to take to the grave. Mother: Abigail Worthing A deceased human scribe who lived in the service of Telperinquar and fell in love with and wed Thomas Sirat, later birthing their only child, Tessa. Secretly despised the elves subjecting humanity to slavery and servitude, but was far too timid to speak openly of it. Shortly after Tessa's birth, she shared her feelings in confidence to her husband in the hopes of trying to spare their child a life of servitude. Thomas, horrified, shared her words with his Master, disgusted with is wife's blasphemous thoughts. Shortly thereafter, Abigail mysteriously died, leaving Tessa bereft of ever knowing her mother. Master: Telperinquar En'Logist An aged elven noble nearing his 800th year, who has employed the Sirat family for 10 generations as his personal bards due to their gift with the element of sound. He views humans as lesser beings and, when informed of Abigail's treasonous thoughts, had the woman killed. He views Tessa as a servant, albeit a talented one, and plans to leave her in the possession of his youngest son as his personal bard if he should die in the near future. He watches her closely for any signs of her mother?s belief residing in her. Master: Alcion En'LogistThe youngest son of Telperinquar, and more and more who directs Tessa in her bardic service. It is he whom she accompanies to the festival when his father becomes too ill to travel. More compassionate than his father towards humans, he treats her well, albeit as one might treat an obedient servant, and certainly not as an equal. But were she to be inclined as her mother was, he would likely punish, rather than murder her, for her insolence. History: Tessa was born into the service of Telperinquar En'Logist by the blood of her father's family. Proud to serve the elven noble, the family had maintained their tradition of upholding the title of bard for the aged elf for 10 generations. Shortly after Tessa's father wed his Master's scribe, they conceived their only child. Shortly after Tessa's birth, her mother spoke to her father of her desire that her daughter not remain a servant all her life and that they escape the elves who controlled their lives. Aghast, Thomas reported her to his Master, who had her killed for her insolences. Tessa never knew her mother, or the blasphemous beliefs the woman had. Her father trained her in music, singing, harp, and lute, and from a young age she composed songs in honor of Telperinquar to entertain his family. As her father grew older, and she grew more talented, she took over his duties as Telperinquar's bard, and traveled with her Master all over the elven lands, recording his journeys and accomplishments in song, embellished, of course, to cast him in the best possible light. Present: Tessa's elven Master is nearing the end of his life, and so she has been sent more and more to serve his youngest son, Alcion. It is thus, that at the age of 27 that the bard accompanied Alcion En'Logist to the festival when Telperinquar became bedridden with the pains and trials of age and could not journey there himself. Personality: Vivacious and fiery of spirit, a bit of her mother resides in Tessa. As she would lie awake at night in her childhood, she often wondered what it was that had made her inferior in society to her elven Masters. The lack of magic was the only thing she could see truly giving the elves an upper hand, so everywhere she traveled with her master she tried to learn something about magic. Knowing she could ever learn it herself, she instead tried to determine creative ways to escape being affected by it or mundane ways to counter it. Thus far, she has been unsuccessful as Telperinquar, knowing of her mother's treacherous ways, has kept very close eye on her. But now under Alcion's less strict vision, she may become braver at seeking out answers. She is strong-willed and committed to her musical craft and loves her father dearly, but would be devastated to learn of his part in her mother's death. There is part of her which believes the only way to bring her line up out of the depths of servitude is through crossbreeding with an elf, and hoping that elf would elevate it's offspring and eventually breed out much of their humanity, but hopefully not their human compassion. She is charismatic and sensual in her performances, using them to try and elicit feelings from her audiences. Appearance: Image by Wyrnna With hair like sunset in hues of red and orange, and eyes like malachite, Tessa is a woman of great beauty and charisma. She is curvaceous and graceful, with her well maintained mane of wavy locks falling to her waist. Her smile is alluring and her expressions the gateway to the soul of her music. She is a skilled singer with a throaty tone and a smoky quality to her voice (think Nora Jones), and has no small ability at the harp and lute.
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Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:10 am
IMAGES
By Sajhiri
By Wyrnna
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Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:15 am
SONGS AND POEMS
Exalted Ones
Sing me a song,
A tale untold,
Of Trueblood lines,
High Elves of old.
Spin me a yarn,
Of Heroes gone,
Of Elven Kings,
And lands whereon,
The proud did tread,
On Pannin's Shore,
Now left to dream
As legends' lore.
Play me a tune,
Of ancient times,
When men knew more
Than fancy rhymes.
Teach me a step,
A dance of yore,
That dreams may shine
Forevermore.
The Price of Wooing
There once was a lad
So brave and bold
With a voice as smooth as dusk
He stole the hearts of every lass
In lovely Terralusk.
Musician by trade
He roamed the land
A fortune in his hands
But lost it to a pretty face
Not far from Greyskin Lands.
Singing 'Woe is me
I was fancy free
In fine and hearty health!
Though I've won the hearts
Of ladies fair
They've cost me all my wealth!'
In spring he did roam
To Pannin's shores
A sight without compare,
And lost his purse to fair Andreen
Of the wavy golden hair.
In the cold of night
She took his coins
And left him in his bed
And the poor young bard was poorer yet
As she with his trousers fled!
Singing 'Woe is me
I was fancy free
In fine and hearty health!
Though I've won the hearts
Of ladies fair
They've cost me all my wealth!'
He journeyed once more
The lands he loved
An elf of mind to flirt
And came upon the fair Merwyn
In the sands of Kiurek Desert.
This time the bard
Did catch the wench
Absconding with his load
And learned to fear a wizard scorned
As she turned him to a toad!
Singing 'Woe is me
I was fancy free
In fine and hearty health!
Though I've won the hearts
Of ladies fair
They've cost me all my wealth!'
The Merchant Sorcerer
Unto the city of Terralusk
There came a fair young maid,
Dressed in the garb of nobility,
Her garments well arrayed.
In spite of magic in her veins
No spell she had to cast,
And so she came upon a shop,
With arcane things amassed.
Within this shop there was an elf
Both fair of face and hair,
And saw within the tender maid
Her magics unaware.
To teach he did an offer make
To help her find inside
The means to wake what slumbered there
The arcane touch espied.
"Oh where are thou
My magic bright?
I know you are inside.
Why come you not
Into the light?"
The lovely maiden sighed.
The sorcerer a merchant born
Did know his craft and trade,
And from his lessons magic came
Unto the lovely maid.
His tongue he taught, a language fair,
To sculpt from it each song,
To lyricize her arcane craft
And render magics strong.
"I feel you now
My magic bright!
I sense you in my heart.
I've drawn you forth
Into the light."
The maiden did impart.
And so the merchant mage did bid
The maiden fair partake,
Of evenings dark and lessons deep
A merchant's price to take.
In time she learned her lessons well
And led a happy life,
Until the merchant sorcerer
Announced she'd be his wife.
The lovely lass was quite aghast
For plans she had designed,
To travel far across the lands
And so his troth declined.
The sorcerer felt wrathful woe
And vowed she would not go.
The maid was forced to call upon
A spell to lay him low.
"I need you now
My magic bright
Rise like the lunar tide.
And stop the elf
Of moonkissed brow
I will not be his bride!"
And with her song the arcane surged
It welled betwixt the pair,
And dazed the mage a moment's breath
As she escaped his lair.
Into the night the maiden ran
To flee for honor?s sake.
To save herself from arcane wrath
She fled into the lake.
So to a merchant sorcerer
Her innocence was lost.
And waters claimed her final breath
Because a mage she crossed.
Unto this day I hold to heart
A lesson to obey:
No matter what a merchant sells
There'll be a price to pay.
Ode to an Ursine Festival Goer
Upon the festival did I meet
A fellow soaring o'er eight feet
with shoulders broad and eyes of gold
of Ursine blood if truth be told.
His shadow doth block sun from sky
to shade this bard from heaven's eye.
A boon to soothe my sun crisped skin
So now I thank this gentleman.
By writing verse to set him full
By poets hand as immortal.
Acrostic Funeral Poem - Part One
TELPERINQUAR
Truly of worth and noble brow,
Evoking the heart of means and right,
Lifeblood of family, virtue's vow,
Patron of art and bardcraft bright.
Ever the guide and master's hand,
Righteous of heart and just of mind,
Impressive to all throughout the land,
Never his like again we'll find.
Quietly regal brave and true,
Unlike any to come before,
A picture of honor and virtue,
Resplendent, an elf both strong and sure.
Acrostic Funeral Poem - Part Two
TELPERINQUAR
Time shows us acts of memory,
Earnest devotion to kith and kin,
Longstanding rock of family,
Patriarch washed clean of sin.
Engineer of our foundations,
Regal structure of our days,
Instrument of family stations,
Nimble guide of all our ways.
Quick response of thought and action,
Unencumbered light released,
Architect of this our faction,
Rock of Noble En'Lojist.
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Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:38 am
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 6:33 am
INTERLUDE
"Like sharks all fighting over the best bit of bloody meat..." Tessa mused as she passed by a merchant stall. She paused in her progress to watch the half dozen festival goers pawing through the man's bolts of fabric, and a pair of irate humans tugging on a length of raw silk, yowling at each other over which of them saw it first. The argument escalated as each had apparently been sent to retrieve just such a piece of cloth by their elven masters.
Tessa chuckled and shook her head, thankful that her servitude consisted of her songs, and not shopping at the whim of Telperinquar, or in this case, Alcion. She hitched her lute higher on her shoulder by its braided strap and moved on through the crowds. The claustrophic nature of the pressing mass of beings didn't seem to phase her at all, a merry tune being hummed as she twisted and bent like a willow in the wind to slip between sweaty bodies and drunken revelers.
She had arrived in Terralusk as part of Alcion En'Logist's entourage last evening, and all of the company had been too exhausted to do much more than bed down in the accomadations her elven employer had arranged. Whilst the rest had slept, Tessa had instead stared out the window of the room she shared with several other household servants, watching the city's burst of life by night, and marking several directions to travel the next day where the festivities seemed most crowded. She had awoke somewhat weary, but eager to start her day.
Alcion had granted her the morning to explore as she wished, and to derive some inspiration from the festivities. She perused the faces, some bright and beauiful, others haggard and dark, surrounding her and felt momentary awe at the number and variety of participants. Elves and humans, bestials and fairys zoomed in and out of her field of vision, each face harboring a story somewhere behind it.
She hopped up onto a wooden bench to try and see over the crowd and try and discern a place to settle and perform a song or two. Up ahead she could discern where the street she had been travelling broadened out into the expanse of the Market Square.
"Perfect..." she quipped, and with a light step and a lighter heart, the bard hopped off the bench and began to wend her way towards her destination.
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 7:55 am
THE MARKET SQUARE
((This scene occurs the morning after Tessa arrives in Terralusk as part of Alcion En'Lojist's entourage. Characters played by Sajhiri, ZeroDream, Sosiqui, Sundragyn, Shiro Ookami, Reyna Crenlos, and Jiora ))
Located in the outermost section of Terralusk, Market Square is the place to be for buying, selling, or trading goods or all kinds. It's a large open area with hundreds of merchant stalls and tents; anyone who can find the space to set up or unroll a carpet may do so, provided they do not obstruct traffic.
Market Square is the first thing a visitor sees upon entering Terralusk. The place is a sea of patterns and colors, loud and busy. The buildings ringing the square are all businesses. In the very center is a public fountain; no one may buy or sell within fifteen feet of the fountain's edge. At any given point during the day the square is filled with hundreds of people.
You can find anything you want in the Square: clothes, jewelry, food, weapons, toys, books, curios and trinkets. The place is especially busy thanks to the festival, with dozens or merchants and traders from out of town and hundreds of tourists.
There...that was the spot. Not too far from the fountain, but well beyond the 15 foot range of the merchanting ban. Tessa shouldered past one last elven man en route to where she'd spotted a dry rain barrel beside one of the buildings. The flame-haired human woman passed a coin to a street urchin who gladly up-ended the barrel for her to use as an impromptu stool before rushing off to spend his payment of service.
With a chuckle Tessa watched him scamper out of her sight before she unwound the colorful beaded scarf from her hips and draped it over the barrel. After smoothing the crimson fabric with a hand, she planted her derriere atop it and slung her lute off her back. A grin twitched on her lips at a few passers by who paused to try and figure out just what the human womans was up to.
Slender fingers strummed a few notes from the instrument as she nestled it on her lap, and the sounds seeped out into the crowds a few yards from her before the noisiness of the square drowned it out beneath the stamping of feet, shouts of vendors, and buzz of conversations. A few bystanders paused to listen and wait to see what the human was prepared to do.
Once a half dozen or so pairs of eyes had directed their attention to her, Tessa gave the crowd her brightest smile. "My lord Telperinquar En'Lojist has bid me come to this fine festival and use the skills for which he employees me to entertain those who would seek good song and good music this day. On behalf of my Lord and his son, I bid you welcome and pray that my songs might bring a smile to your face."
With that, the woman's strumming took on the structure of a tune, and her voice rose to reach those who focused on her.
"Sing me a song,
A tale untold,
Of Trueblood lines,
High Elves of old.
Spin me a yarn,
Of Heroes gone,
Of Elven Kings,
And lands whereon,
The proud did tread,
On Pannin's Shore,
Now left to dream
As legends' lore.
Play me a tune,
Of ancient times,
When men knew more
Than fancy rhymes.
Teach me a step,
A dance of yore,
That dreams may shine
Forevermore."
Ngozi wheeled his mobile stall into place. He smiled at the presence of the bard; hopefully she'd stay. She'd draw a crowd, and that was always good for business.
His stall, wagon and shop and home--or at least a place to sleep--all in one, folded out into various shelves for the wares. Glittering strings of beads were laid out on cloth, charms and amulets, fetish statuary for the superstitious. Rings, some set with glass and others with stone, precious or otherwise, glinted brightly.
However, no use having the merchanise look good if the shopkeeper does not. Ngozi peered into a bit of mirror set up for the customer's advantage, and made sure he was looking as good as he could possibly look.
Satisifed, he cast a thoughtful gaze over his merchandise. He fiddled with the set-up a little.
Good thing that the music was here.
Jakli tilted her head as she drew closer to Market Square, her ears attempting to turn every which way all at once. There was just... There was so much! She hadn't truly expected it to be so massive! Everywhere she looked it seemed there was a new sight to see. That tent there was so bright! And the coloring was unlike anything she'd seen before - were there many people who could dye cloth such a vivid purple?
For a brief minute she stood on one place, tugging in nervous excitment at the fur on her hands. Where to first? Did she even want to go anywhere yet? She could always just stand here listening to the music and drinking in th-
Someone pushed her from behind, causing her to stumble forward awkwardly. Confused, she whirled to peer up at a rather irate looking human. "Are ya jus' gonna stand 'round all day like an idiot? Yer blockin' traffic," he grumbled.
Jakli flushed beneath her fur, mumbling a hurried apology and scurrying out of the fellow's way. She'd have to take extra care to not displease anyone here.
Not too far away from the bard, there was an elven man, vaguely interested by the merchant's goods until he found a few books, reaching one of the hard leather covers with a pale hand, and starting to flip the pages, curious as to what secrets could be hidden onto the yellowed sheets of paper.
The place had not calmed at all since yesterday - of course it wouldn't, the festival was just starting, after all, and Tessa's voice was known to drag crowds - and it made his task a little harder, both trying to read, and make sure no one would enter in collision. He would have preferred watching over his father, sure... But if he was there, he might as well enjoy it, shouldn't he ? The servants would take good care of the old elf. Yet worry still tugged at him, and Alcion didn't know why. Hopefully, this wasn't a bad omen...
This book was interesting... Many things about past artists, and their techniques. Not that he had to copy anyone - he had a style of his own, and he was very proud of it - but it was fascinating to see how those elven artists made their art into something that would remain influential for generations to come.
"How much for this book ?" He asked, holding it up in the air for the shop owner to see, in despise the passing crowd.
"For this one... 10 gold coins should do, my good sir."
Alcion rose an eyebrow in thought, pondering over this. This seemed like a decent price of a book of this size, of this kind, and, especially, of this age. The pages where slightly yellowed by time, yet it was kept in near-perfect condition all this time. A smile drew on the elf's face.
"Ill take it."
After paying the required amount of gold, he put the book into the leather bag he was carrying at his side, securing it there - he would have plenty of time to read later, once they went back after this day, and things would be calmer.
Turning, he left the busy pathway, heading nearer toward the fountain - since selling was not allowed next to it, was less busy. The elf then just listened to Tessa, a small smile drawing on his face.
Tessa's voice was beautiful, no matter the setting.
Tessa's malachite-hued eyes picked the familiar visage of Alcion out of the crowd, and she flashed her employer's youngest son a smile, inclining her head respectfully to him as she strummed her lute a few moments to catch her breath.
The arrival of the merchant quirked her smile into a grin, as more goods tp peruse nearby would certainly bring more people in close enough to hear her. She eyed some of the beads with a glimmer of interest from her perch on the rain barrel before delving into another song introduction.
"Now, a bard I be and as such, I've picked up many a story while accompanying my patron in his journeys. This little tale is about another bard, though one of elven lines, whom my Lord Telperinquar and I heard perform on one of our travels, but whose personal story I found much more interesting and amusing than his songs. So I wrote a little ditty about him..."
With a wink towards the crowd she turned her fingers to playing a livelier and more upbeat tune to suit the lightheartedness of her words.
"There once was a lad
So brave and bold
With a voice as smooth as dusk
He stole the hearts of every lass
In lovely Terralusk.
Musician by trade
He roamed the land
A fortune in his hands
But lost it to a pretty face
Not far from Greyskin Lands.
Singing 'Woe is me
I was fancy free
In fine and hearty health!
Though I've won the hearts
Of ladies fair
They've cost me all my wealth!'
In spring he did roam
To Pannin's shores
A sight without compare,
And lost his purse to fair Andreen
Of the wavy golden hair.
In the cold of night
She took his coins
And left him in his bed
And the poor young bard was poorer yet
As she with his trousers fled!
Singing 'Woe is me
I was fancy free
In fine and hearty health!
Though I've won the hearts
Of ladies fair
They've cost me all my wealth!'
He journeyed once more
The lands he loved
An elf of mind to flirt
And came upon the fair Merwyn
In the sands of Kiurek Desert.
This time the bard
Did catch the wench
Absconding with his load
And learned to fear a wizard scorned
As she turned him to a toad!
Singing 'Woe is me
I was fancy free
In fine and hearty health!
Though I've won the hearts
Of ladies fair
They've cost me all my wealth!'
Why, WHY, by all the little gods, did everything have to be... in the middle of everything else? Tertian fairly beat his way through the crowd, applying force with his walking stick when needed. In the fast-moving glut of people, it was hard to tell where a blow came from as long as you were quick about it, and though some angry bellows were in his wake nobody really suspected such an old man, did they?
Tceh.
The strains of music and splashing water greeted his ears as Tertian approached the fountain. He practically burst into the mostly clear area - well, clear compared to the groups clustered around the merchant stalls - fanning his wings outward at last and clacking his beak in irritation.
Now. Where was this merchant that Chinyan had reccomended over supper?
Ah. Handcart, dark-skinned elf, many trinkets, mirrors - that had to be it. Tertian battled his way over and eyed the elf warily. "Are you Ngozi?" he grunted, resting one hand on the merchant's cart.
Ngozi turned and smiled brightly, though in his mind he was warily attempting to place the bestial and figure out why he would be asking for him by name. It was just mildly worrying.
"Good morning, sir." Ngozi spread his hands. "Does my reputation precede me?" Hopefully, it was a good reputation. Hopefully. He ploughed ahead and launched into a spiel. "Have you heard of my splendid wares? I haven't been in Terralusk for some years. It's good to know that a gentlemen of your esteemed taste would want to seek me out. Were you after a bit of jewelry? I have some lovely pieces here, certain to bring out the colour in your feathers."
Tertain raised one eyebrow, and mentally decided to kill Chinyan next time he saw the younger merchant. This... this upstart popinjay seemed exactly the type of person the Bestial didn't like, and Chinyan damn well knew it. Feh, he was probably chuckling in his solar right now, the b*****d.
"My taste is hardly esteemed," Tertain grated, punctuating the sentence with a clack of his beak. "Nor is my wingspan legendary, my wealth astonishing or my talents known across the world." He tightened his grip on his walking stick. "The merchant Chinyan told me to seek you out for a business of another kind, man to man... as it were. There is no need for pretty frippery words in such business, aye?"
Tertian turned his head slightly and let his gaze wander over the goods on display. "A vendor of elegant delights, are you? And... garish," he added, narrowing one eye at a large, very ugly fetish statue. "Chinyan said you might be persuaded to sell some of my goods, if an agreement could be reached."
Ngozi smirked at the statue. "I carry what sells," he said with a shrug. "But as for a business agreement... That would be a good arrangement, would it not?" He tapped his fingers together. "Assuming, of course, that your goods fit in with my usual business. I am always on the lookout for the unusual and the beautiful. What exactly did you have to offer me?"
He was already starting to formulate a sales pitch, if it turned out to be the sort of thing he could unload easily enough.
"I trade primarily in natural goods of the lake," Tertian said conversationally, as he leaned his stick against the stall and began rummaging around in the many pouches strung on his belt. He kept his eyes firmly on Ngozi's, shuffling through the pouches by touch. "However, I run a small, side business... I design, and those I hire create from those designs. I don't think you care to sell bundles of lake-reeds, so, instead..."
He produced a long, slim package wrapped in brown cloth from one of the pouches, and unwrapped it carefully. The cloth slipped away to reveal an intricate fan, with the grip shaped like a stylized peacock. Painted cloth stretched between the light metal spars, and when the fan was opened it appeared to be the peacock's tail. "No mass-production, you understand," he grunted. "I run no lines of workers up and down, carving the same swish here and the same dot of paint there over and over." He held out the fan for Ngozi to inspect.
Ngozi took the fan, and turned it over in his hands. "You have a good eye for design, sir. I do believe I could manage to sell them."
A vast understatement. With the festival beginning, there would undoubtedly be fine ladies looking for an interesting souvenir to take home. Possibly a few men, but Ngozi was hardly one to judge. If they were willing to pay, that's all that mattered to him. For that matter, Ngozi wouldn't mind having one himself.
He handed the fan back. "You've caught my attention, sir. But you have the advantage of me. May I have the priviledge of knowing with whom I am dealing?"
Tertian bowed his head elegantly to Ngozi, his long neck curving in a slightly disconcerting way - a human neck could never do that sort of movement. "I am called Tertian. If you wish to be sure of me, speaking to Chinyan should be all the reference you will need."
The stork Bestial looked around at all the crowds and ruffled his feathers. "It's too damn crowded here. When your day of selling wares is over, could we meet to discuss business in a more comfortable place? I am staying in the Inn of Three Feathers, at Chinyan's insistence - he owns the place, and I'm sure he can clear one of the lower-level sitting rooms for us."
Alcion couldn't help but crack a smirk. That song amused him to no end, no matter how many times he heard it.
The young elf was tempted to go ahead and start reading his new book, but decided against it... too much noise. So, instead, he started wandering again. He had plenty of gold coins, should something interesting present itself.
That something interesting caught his eye as a lovely amulet.
Alcion loved jewelry - and had no shame admitting so. He probably had more than he could ever wear, but the designs interested him so...
He approached Ngozi's stall, glancing at the goods... Those statues where of extremely bad taste, but not the same could be said of the jewelry... He remained silent, trough, letting the shopkeeper and the avian carry on their conversation uninterrupted.
"Sounds ideal," Ngozi smiled. He pressed his palms together. "I do recall that inn, and I'll come find you this evening."
It was all he could do not to dance a little in excitement. An opportunity like this--it was a rare thing--he had a duty, an obligation to follow up on it--the profit! Yes, the profit!
Tertian nodded again, moving his whole neck to do so, not just his head. "I will see you then, then." Good. He had to get out of this crowd -his room at the Three Feathers was small but at least he could spread his wings! "Fare you well."
The Bestial turned around, sighing as he clasped his wings close to his sides and plunged back into the crowds, leaving Ngozi's stall free for all browsers.
Well.
Ngozi smiled smugly. Perhaps he wasn't doing too well, sales-wise, but it was still early, and this opportunity alone was in itself worth coming to Terralusk.
When the avian left, Alcion found suitable to make his presence known.
"Excuse me, but how much is this... ?" He asked, pointing to a silver sun amulet. "I would be interested into buying."
Ngozi blinked, momentarily lost in reveries of big sacks of money. "Pardon? I'm so sorry, I was miles away." He came nearer to see the piece indicated. "Oh, that one! A true jewel of a piece. I traded for it with a rather skilled crafstman in the south. Do you see the quality here?"
He picked up the amulet, and held it up to catch the light. "Fine silver, this is." Well, perhaps it wasn't pure silver, but that didn't mean that the silver in it wasn't high quality. "The chain should hold beautifully. Were you buying for yourself, or for a lady friend?"
"Myself." Alcion nodded. "A fine piece indeed. Seem you did a good trade on that one." A small smile drew on his face. "So, what I you interested in ? I have gold pieces... or I guess I could exchange for one of my paintings, if you're into those things."
"Gold would be preferable," Ngozi admitted. "I cannot eat a painting, and it's not within the realm of what I usually sell. I'm sure you understand. Gold, however, regardless of where it's minted, is still worth something." He named a price, calmly, on the high side in the range of average.
Arien picked her way carefully through the crowds before pausing briefly at the sound of a lovely voice, and equally lovely music playing somewhere above the racket and noise of people bustling about.
She really ought to be making her way towards the inn where her room was being held for her and check in but she couldn't help but be attracted to the sound of the music and the display of wares.
A small smile appeared at her lips as she curiously made her way through the stalls as she clutched her cloak close with the hood up over her head as though she were trying to hide from the masses of people all about.
She paused briefly to admire a jewelled necklace or two before ducking away when the merchant caught her gaze and attempted to draw her into a deal of some sort. "I.. no thank you, sir," she murmured simply, before continuing on her way.
"Understandable." The young elf sent a small nod, then pondered. "Sounds good... Ill take it." He searched trough his pocket until he came out with the required amount, and paid.
"The festival must be one busy seasons for merchants, uh ? With all those people around."
"It's a good opportunity," Ngozi shrugged. "We must do what we can to eat, after all." It sounded good, though he made a good enough living. He counted the money quickly with his eyes, scratched at it with a thumbnail, felt the weight in his hand, and found it satisfactory. Those with the tendency to cheat tend to be more cautious about being cheated themselves. He tucked it away in a pouch at his waist under his shirt, and handed the necklace over. "May it bring you great happiness, sir."
"I would ratter hope so, I could use it. Good luck with your trades !" Alcion gave a wave as he left, putting on the amulet in the way.
Today had been good, so far. This festival was facinating, and it was only the second day. The book still tugged at him, but he resisted once more, returning to the fountain and sitting there, listening to the water's flow.
Ngozi grinned behind his hand. Not bad for something he'd picked up for a song six months ago. It was a pretty nice necklace, at that, though not quite worth what he'd asked.
This festival was turning out be quite interesting.
Arien found herself milling near Ngozi's cart, quietly admiring his various wares that were on display even as she listened to the bard sing not but a few paces away. She was almost envious of her seemingly easy manner with the crowds of people that seemed to push in around her. Personally, she found the streets of teeming people a bit stifling, but she had to admit that it was all rather exciting.
She turned her attention back towards the goods displayed before her before picking up a small, delicate sort of ring that glittered brightly in the light. "Very pretty," she remarked quietly.
After several more tunes, Tessa took her bows. "Thank you all for your kind attention, and may you be merry this festival season!" With a flourish she stood, swiping the scarf from the top of the rain barrel and swooping it about in an elaborate bow. When she rose she settled it around her hips once more and knotted it securely.
Slinging the lute over her shoulder she sidled through the dispersing spectators and made her way to the merchant's stall, her eyes glinting as she perused the wares. She tucked a russet lock behind her ear as she looked over the trinkets, humming softly, as if the music could never quite be quelled in her.
A short Armadillo bestial shuffled into the marketplace. She looked rather plain in her looks. No exotic dancer or performer here. She was wearing just a simple tan garb that covered her front and a long strapped bag was hung over one shoulder and around her thick armored back. Her armored tail also dragged a bit behind her as she walked about. Her slightly twitching nose was leading her into the crowd; taking in smells she had never got a whiff of before. Her eyes danced as she looked at all the vibrant colors, and her big ears on top of her head took in the grandeur of noises that were present. Adjusting her bag and straightening her clothes out of habit, she continued to shuffle into the market.
Making her way, she poked in several of the stalls about the market, checking their wares and trying to find anything of interest. Finding nothing, she went to the next stall with the same result. Lots of pretty things, just nothing she was actually looking for. She told herself not to get dishearten, since she had just gotten there, but being new to this she was starting to get depressed. Sighing, she sat herself down at the fountains edge, trying to figure out what she was to do next.
"This place is just so big..."
She pulled her tail beside her, so no one would trip on it and then pulled out her diary to write an entry to cheer herself up. Holding the pencil to the tip of her tongue, she thought of what she was going to write before she put down the pencil to write.
Putting the pencil away, the armadillo girl seemed to be calmer. Placing the diary back in her bag, she closed her eyes and took in the sound of the fountain for a while. She was relaxing herself and calming down from being slightly overwelmed by everything. Once fully calm, she opened her eyes and looked around.
"Maybe I'll just wait around for a bit and listen for the sellers instead of running around."
Tessa peered at some of the silver Alcion had been eyeing, but respectfully the human woman didn't actually touch anything on the cart. She'd been schooled too long in etiquette in the En'Logist household, and she didn't want to risk insulting a merchant in the midst of a festival if they weren't amenable to having humans touching their wares.
Straightening, she stretched to crack her back with a resounding popping sound, which paused in mid bend as her eye caught site of something interesting. In the direction of the fountain she had spotted a strange looking bestial of indiscernible ancestry. The bard had never seen an armadillo before, and found herself completely gobsmacked at the sight of Spade.
Not one to waste an opportunity to learn something new and immortalize it in song or story, Tessa slipped in between two burly merchants and made her way towards the creature.
As she approached, she made a formal bow. "Good day to you, most interesting of beings! Would you be so kind as to allow me to sit a spell and chat with you, as I've not seen anyone with so intriguing a visage today?"
Spade blinked from her listening of the fountain and brought her deep chocolate eyes to look at the very polight human bowing to her. Flushing her face red, she quickly nodded and made a motion for her to sit beside her.
"F..Forgive me. Yes. You can sit and talk. I do not mind, but I fear I am not that intriguing or all that interesting. Pleased to meet you, My name is Spade."
She nodded her head and pulled on her nose as a greeting . As was her way to greet others as she was taught from her tribe. Though she did not exactly expect this human to do a similar gesture, since her nose was not as long. Though she lived all her life underground, she was not unfamiliar with humans and elves since some had come to her tribe to trade for things that her tribe had been known for. She placed her long clawed paws together in her lap and turned her attention to the lady as she waited for her to sit and continue the conversation.
Tessa at first seemed perplexed by the welcoming gesture, but it made her smile. She hadn't expected the creature to bow like she had afterall.
"Your features make you most intriguing. I have met some folk of beastial ancestry in my travels, but I have never met your like." She settled down beside the unusual creature and leaned back on her hands so she could better regard it...er her. She thought it might be a her at least, or a very shy he.
"Can you tell me from what fantastic creature you have gained such an original appearance? I am a bard you see, and a bit of a closet student of the world." She smiled brightly, the interest glittering in her green eyes genuine.
She brought up one hand to her ears and ran it down her face before she smiled. She thought that maybe she did look a bit interesting.
"Well, I guess then I was wrong about that statement then. Well, my 'like' come from far away. Just north of the Kiurek Desert, and on the border of the bestial forest, is where I come from. My apearence isn't uncommon atleast where I live. There are several beastials that look similar to me. My tribe is called the Dirtmen, and living underground makes my tribe's name make sense, atleast I think so. We don't really live in secret, but if you didn't know that we were there, you might have walked right above us."
She laughed. A few times she had suprised people passing by when she went herb hunting in the forest. The various enterences into the underground made it seem that her people apeared out of no where.
"I heard the end of your song before. Pity I had not been able to catch it all. You have a very nice voice. My father is fond of singing, though he does not have the talent nor the voice for it, like you do."
She had placed her paws together on her lap again. Trying to be mindful in not insulting the human she was talking with, by fidgeting or letting her hands wander. She was tryign to be respectful after all, like her mother had taught her to be.
Tessa's eyes lit up at the explanation. "I see! That makes perfect sense. I dare say I've never been on an adventure under the earth. That must be fascinating!" The bard's curiosity was more than evident as she was nearly bouncing from the "discovery" of this strange species of bestial.
"Dirt men...interesting indeed. Do all of your tribe share the same physical attributes, like your ears and nose and your...my goodness...are you wearing armor?" She blinked a few times, unable to tell if the creature was indeed wearing armor or if that was her very skin. She dragged herself out of momentarily staring and blushed a bit.
"Where are my manners?! I've completely forgotten to introduce myself! I am Tessa Sirat, though most folks just call me Tess."
"Nice to meet you Tessa."
She nodded her head her way, as if to acknolage the name. She then continued to answer Tessa's questions.
"Living underground isn't that much different from living on top of it. Though naturally it is more darker, but we have lamps, mirrors and other things to luminate inside. It really isn't cut off from anyone from visiting, though the guards might question visiters before they are allowed to enter."
The excitement of Tessa was lost on the beastial. She was not sure why she was so excited about her dull and rather uninteresting home. Sure Spade loved it, but compared to the excitment of the festival here, she didn't see what was all that impressive of her home. Sure, she wold never live in a place as big as here, for she loved her home. But she didn't see why the human was so interested.
"Most of my tribe have been called rodents... So moles, mice, vole, rabbits and other underground dwelling mammals can be compared to my tribe members. My family look like me, and a few other families, but there are other beastials in the tribe."
She brought up a hand to her shoulder, placing a clawed paw on her armor. She grinned, this must be so new to this human. She never seen body armor before.
"This is my armor. All of my family have armor like this. We are born with soft shells but as we grow, it grows with us and becomes hard. Does this answer your questions? I don't mind answering more if you have them."
Tessa looked closer at the body armor and seemed enthralled by it. "That's amazing! But I don't know of any armored rabbits or voles or mice or moles...so what sort of animal is your armor derived from?"
Ah, there was the root of the problem, she was unfamiliar with the creature whose features Spade had acquired.
"Perhaps some day I could visit your tribe. I could write a song about them and life underground. I think people would find it as fascinating as I do!"
She grinned broadly.
She put up her hands in defence, shaking them infront of her. Not that she was offended, but more in reaction. She was blushing deeply at the interest she was showing upon her and her tribe.
"My people aren't like the grand tales of valor or adventure that you bards usually sing. We are simple people. Not really something you should waste your talents on. I do not think anyone shall be interested in the lives under the gorund. We dig, we mine, we move around dirt. Not really something of any note worthy or praise to come from such a talented Bard as yourself."
Bah, answers weren't forthcoming. Tessa chuckled softly and quipped, "I find the most interesting people tend to be the simplest. Because we can relate on the simpler levels, you see."
She rose and idly brushed off the fronts of her breeches. "The afternoon approaches, however, and I need to get back to our lodgings. It was nice to meet you Spade. I may be performing later tonight at some time. You are most welcome to come and listen."
The bard twitched a kink out of one knee from sitting and with a wave to the bestial, she slipped back through the crowd and down one of the streets connecting to the square.
[colir=darkblue]
Spade tilted her head confusedly and twitched her ears as she watched the bard leave. She wondered if she would see her again. She was invited to see her perform, though after a few seconds she realized that she does not know what inn or tavern she is staying at, and with a town this size, she doubted she would be able to find her. But maybe, if they were fated to meet again, they would.
Taking out her diary, she made note of her encounter. She was not very good with names int he long run, so it was better that she wrote down the name now, while she still remembered.
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 7:59 am
INTERLUDE
Tessa perched on the rail of the balcony. The room Alcion had reserved for the servants of his entourage to stay in was empty, as most had wandered out to enjoy the festival. Tessa could curl up and nap, or write, or simply gather her thoughts in the relative solitude and quiet within, but she found it difficult to draw her eyes from the humanoid tide that swelled and rushed below her.
It was the afternoon of the day after their arrival in Terralusk, and she'd already spent her morning entertaining a small crowd in the Market Square. She was pleased with the attentions, but she was still mulling over whether bawdy or epic style music was going to be a bigger draw.
Alcion had been present, but that was no help. The young elf seemed to enjoy anything she sang. She could recite the elven alphabet in rhythm and he'd probably applaud it. Not that it was a bad thing that he appreciated her so, it kept her in his father's employment afterall, but he wasn't really a good judge of her performance success or failure.
She leaned her arms on the balcony rail and gazed down at the myriad shapes and sizes of beings in the street below. Her silken hair dripped over the rail like an autumn cascade, fiery hued strands reflecting like dancing flames in the noon-day sun.
She picked out odd an unusual features here and there:
An elf with ears so long as to almost be mistaken for a mule beastling
A real beastling with a head and neck visible far above the morass of city visitors plainly linking some giraffe or ostrich blood in their ancestry
A pair of feien fairies, one with purple and the other with orange markings zipping around in dizzying circles chasing one another as if unable to stop... causing bystanders to get nauseous from the rapid flashes of contrasting colors.
She smiled and tucked their strange vignettes into a corner of her mind for some later addition to fanciful ditties to cheer her masters on gloomy days. Twould be easy enough to invent stories about these comical players on the vast stage that was the festival.
A flash of something almost recognizable drew her eye. For a moment she thought she'd spotted Alcion among the crowds. She sighed softly. He was very unlike his father in so many ways, but part of her worried he was too fragile to survive his father's imminent death. Telperinquar was so venerable in age now, it was only a matter of years before he would likely pass on. Alcion was more sensitive than the rest of the family...he would take it hard.
Tessa felt a softspot for the elf she was currently accompanying. He treated her well, and seemed to view her as being of worth, rather than just being a servant. He valued her music, whereas his father expected it. It was odd for her to feel valued in such a manner, and it tickled the unpleasant thoughts that dwelt deep within.
What gave Telperinquar, or any elf, the right to see her as invaluable, as something to be employed but not cherished?...as something to be purchased for a price, but never seen as a friend, a companion, or an equal? Despite her family's longstanding service, they were still never taken into confidence, or treated as anything other than servants.
She frowned and the enchantment of the wild and raucous crowd below lost some of it's power over her. With a troubled expression creasing her brow, she retreated from the spectacle the balcony view offered and curled up on her bed. She would get some rest as she wished to stay out late this evening, partaking of the nighttime festivities.
It took time for her mind to settle, but in due course she slept.
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Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 10:44 am
THE NIGHT LIFE
Dizzying was the best word for it. Tessa whirled about the space that had opened up in the crowds in one of the city's smaller and less impressive taverns, where she danced with other humans and a few bestials. It was a party for those of lesser status, missing the fanciness of the elven parties but far more exciting and full of breathless twirling, sweating bodies, and raucous laughter.
Being in the company of elves her entire life, she had learned to seek out non-elven company from time to time to retain her humanity. One could only stomach so much grace, beauty, and refinement afterall. To be human was to live as if every day was your last, especially after decades of the sensory and emotional assault of watching those around you barely seem to age at all while your family and your reflection in the mirror showed the rapid changes of a human lifespan.
She felt an arm around her waist and spun into the dancing embrace of a husky human man who grinned at her with the same light of abandonment in his eyes. Life among elves was like watching someone unconsciously mock you for biological flaws every day you took breath. Where Alcion had centuries to perfect his craft, she would have mere decades. Where he could craft and wait decades to reap the reward of his artistic endeavors growing to popularity, her own bardic works would likely only be held in any esteem after she'd died of old age.
It made her mind ache everytime she thought about Telperinquar being at the very end of his life, and that his aged slip into eternal sleep might be years long, or even decades. That was what brought her out here tonight, to this grimy, sweaty tavern filled with beings like her, the lessers of society. To celebrate the one thing she could...that when death came to her, it would not linger and give her years or decades of suffering. She would never have to be a lengthy burden on loved ones. And she would better appreciate each day she had, rather than while days away on nothing but meditation or thought. Life was for doing, because life for her was so short.
A resounding pang touched on the loss of her mother. She never knew her really. Perhaps that was why she was less ladylike than her father would like. That was why she was here dancing against some strange man with the stink of his sweat in her nostrils and his callused hands cradling her hips. Her mother was never an influence in her life, or was she?
She knew part of her must be reflected within her, because parts of her were so vastly different from her father. Thomas was in abject servitude to Telperinquar. He was blindly obedient, and lived in the belief he was not worthy of an elf's regard. Her father possessed no human dignity or pride. Tessa did.
She panted and applauded as the song stopped, and she rewarded her dancing partner with a kiss on his cheek before slipping off to the bar to order an ale. A glance out the window showed the stars winking out one by one to herald the coming dawn. She would need to return to Alcion's lodgings soon, before she was missed. But one more dance wouldn't hurt...
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Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 9:16 am
INTERLUDE
Bloody hell! Tessa groaned as the sound of a nearby rooster in a merchant's stall heralded the dawn with it's raucous bellowing. The bard's head felt about 3 feet thick, and as if it were made of lead and filled with buzzing insects. She'd not gotten inebriated to that extend since her 16th summer when the cook's eldest son took her to her first tavern for her birthday.
She sat up slowly, waiting for the world to cease spinning before moving any further. She stifled the urge to lob a boot at the head of Alcion's seamstress who'd insisted upon leaving the draperies open so that his garmets could air out from the long overland travel to Terralusk. That left the morning sun free to make her head ache further as it trickled in over the balcony rail.
With a groan she stood and stretched, feeling joints pop, and a few straining aches in her limbs from the night of dancing and heavy drink. She didn't remember over much, outside of a few bawdy tunes she'd sung for the entertainment of the humans and bestials in the grimy tavern no elves would ever set foot in. She had a vague recollection of a muscular fellow she danced with, but nothing further.
Tessa limped over to the washbasin and filled it with clean water from a pitcher. She washed her face and scrubbed her teeth clean with a strange contraption devised by one of the merchants. It was a small flat stick with part of a burr glued to one side of it, which when wetted and dipped in mint water could be used to scrub one's teeth and tongue to make the mouth taste fresh. She'd become quite enamored of the invention and had bought several the day before.
Her stomach made a loud sound of protest as she finished washing up. She hadn't realized how ravenously hungry she was until now. A night of drinking and dancing tended to have that effect, but she'd need to be careful with what she chose to break her fast with. She could sense the sourness in her belly from too much drink.
With a yawn she dragged on clean garments and tamed her touseled hair back into a ribbon after an unsuccessful attempt to comb the fiery locks. Glancing over mischeviously towards the bed where the seamstress slept, she smirked and unceremoniously dumped the remainder of the clean wash water down the waste hole. An early morning trip to the well for water might be payback enough for the bright sunlight in her face this morning.
Without further adieu the human woman left to seek the marketplace and its edible wares.
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Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 12:11 pm
INTERLUDE
The breeze coming off the balcony gently ruffled the pages of music Tessa was perusing. The thin, expensive parchment crinkled slightly in protest, but the bard appeared unaware of the delicate traceries of creases that were spidering out from the unsecured edges.
She'd been working on this piece for many months now, but most of it was still eluding her. The afternoon was waning into evening and she'd not even managed a single couplet on the page. It was intimidating in its scope and scale, and moreso because she had always thought her father or perhaps her own children would be the ones to write it.
But time was growing short, and it looked as if Telperinquar En'Lojist would die during her time as his bard, and it therefore fell to her to write a song of mourning in his honor. This was so rare a thing for a human bard to write for an elf who dies of old age; it was just a strange twist of fate that she was the generation inheriting the position at the time his health finally failed him. And she was not overly thrilled to be the one with the responsibility.
What plagued her most was that her research into the various mourning songs of the past all touted the superiority of the elves and how by divine right of their longevity they were the superior species on the planet. That stuck in Tessa's craw despite being the doctrine hammered into her since birth. She'd watched Telperinquar accomplish very little of note in his 800+ years of life, certainly less than she herself had in 28. She's prefer to judge others on their actions, rather than the point of their ears.
She sighed and set the papers aside once more, tucking them into a velvet lined, wooden box. The song would keep for now. She would need to be in her best full performance mind to write the kind of fake praise it would require, and she just was not in that frame of mind at the moment.
With a shake of her head to ward off the feeling of time running out, the woman stepped out to seek the sunlight on the balcony for cleansing the gloom of her spirit.
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Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:51 am
URSA MAJOR
With a grin and a yawn, a weary looking Tessa made her way into the Market Square from a side street. She had the appearance of someone who had spent a late night out enjoying the festivities, with her touseled hair loosely tied back in a black ribbon and a slight puffiness to her eyes that cleary indicated a lack of sleep. She paused at an exotic fruit merchant's stall and perused her wares for a long moment before deciding on a handful of dates which she folded up into the silk square of her handkerchief to carry.
Chewing on one of the succulent foods she merrily looked around at those folks just waking themselves. It seemed she wasn't the only late night reveler in the city. She swallowed a mouthful of date as she began scouting for a stall that might have something to quench her thirst and soothe her throat so she might be able to sing later.
Early morning brought a fully awake Aleric into town for the first time. He silently moved into the sleepy looking crowd, painfully aware of how at near eight feet tall and over four hundred pounds he... well... stuck out. THIS was why his people tended to stay in the forest, he thought dryly, keeping his hands free in case something happened. Idly he contemplated getting a staff like Janel had had... then nixed the idea. A bear bestial with a staff was probably more then most people wanted to handle.
He needed some gold before he could buy anything, but he wasn't there to buy. He stopped, looking around for a second for an artificer's stall. He was there to find something out.
Tessa was brought up short by the sight of an enormous creature at a near by artificers' stall. She stared opening at the bear bestial, in awe of it's size and mass. "Now I'm really glad Telperinquar sent me off to the festival..." she mumbled to herself.
Forgoing the planned stop at a window a few stops down where someone was hawking fresh fruit juices, the bard meandered over to the artificers' stall to get a better look at the interesting being. She offered him a nod and a merry smile, forcing brightness to her weary eyes.
Aleric looked up from where he was examining a small magical dagger, blinking at the sight of the human female. She was so... small. He thought finally, feeling extremely conscious of his own size. He nodded, smiling slightly, trying not to show his teeth. He didn't want her to be frightened!
But he didn't know what to do, either. Had she been in trouble, or had a delimma, well he would have been fine dealing with her. Solve the problem, go on with your life, so to say. As it was... well, he waited for her to make the first move towards a conversation.
Conversation was never something Tessa shrank away from, especially with someone as unusual in her experience as a bear bestial. Telperinquar was a bit of a purist and preferred not to have such mixed blood creatures around him. That left the human woman in a state of great curiosity. She knew of the bestials and had seen some from time to time at a distance, but up close and able to talk to them? She grinned.
"Hello there! A fine morning for shopping, is it not? I must say, you're the tallest festival goer I've met thus far, I might have to write an ode to your impressive stature!"
Aleric blinked, then raised an eyebrow in amusement. "An ode?" He repleated, wondering exactly how that would go. Something silly, no doubt. How could anything about being tall NOT be silly?
"Can't help being tall." He went on softly, a little smile pulling at his lips. "Maybe everyone else is... short." He gently placed the dagger back, turning to look at her curiously. He didn't run into many humans in the bestial forest. And few of them talked to him while he was in the towns. This was a new experience, to say the least.
Tessa's lips quirked upwards as her smile brightened. "Well I admit my odes are not nearly as good as my songs, but they aren't complete trash either. Let's see...an ode to a tall dark-furred stranger..." She cleared her throat and made a grandiose gesture with one hand.
"Upon the festival did I meet
A fellow soaring o'er eight feet
with shoulders broad and eyes of gold
of Ursine blood if truth be told.
His shadow doth block sun from sky
to shade this bard from heaven's eye.
A boon to soothe my sun crisped skin
So now I thank this gentleman.
By writing verse to set him full
By poets hand as immortal."
A deep rumble of laughter came from the back of his throat, amusement in his eyes. "Never heard being compared to a sunblock sound so... interesting." He told her, still smiling even though his laugh was gone.
He moved slightly, blocking the sun a little better. She was fairer then he was, and a burn didn't sound like much fun. "And how might I repay?" He asked.
Tessa smiled. "I always find knowledge to be the best repayment for any service I render or smile I make blossom. I know very little of the bestial folks, but I would like to know more. My elven employer is a bit of a recluse, but I was fortunate to be attending his son at the festival, rather than him, and it's brought me into a wealth of new experiences! Was I correct in my guess at ursine blood in your veins, good sir? Can you tell me a bit of your tribe?"
"I'm a bear bestial, yeah." He said, looking around. He didn't much like standing in the middle of the stall aisles. He was too big of a roadblock for one, too easy a target for another. He glanced over at the fountain, nodding towards it. "Shall we?"
His hand came up just slightly, hovering beside her in an instinctively protective motion. He didn't want to accidentally run over her or anything, after all. Though how much he would tell her was another matter. He wasn't much for talking, after all.
"Certainly..." Tessa conceded. The woman wove her way gracefully through the crowds towards the fountain, and seemed to have little trouble navigating through the masses. She perched lightly on the fountain's edge and leaned back on her hands.
"So what brings you to the festival. I find it fascinating to discover why people come here. I was told to, so here I am. But many seem to be here for a myriad number of choices."
He almost laughed again at how much she talked, taking a seat on the ground, worried that his weight might be a bit too much for the fountain. But he leaned back against it, smirking slightly as he looked up at her. "I'm a fighter." He said simply, as if that explained everything.
"And I'm looking for some... information." he added, as an after thought. "Who told you?" He asked, changing the subject.
"A fighter!" Tessa exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with interest. "Will you be fighting here in any of the events. I would certainly like to watch. I imagine I can craft a grand ballad of the might ursine warrior that way." She seemed lost in thought for a moment or two as her muse began chiseling ideas inside her skull. Then she snapped back to the moment when she realized she'd been asked a question.
"Oh, my Lord Telperinquar En'Lojist. My family has served as his house bards for many generations. He is quite aged and could't make the journey himself to the festival, so he sent me with his youngest son. Alcion."
She peered at him curiously. "What sort of info were you looking for. Those in my profession do tend to pick up bits and pieces quite readily."
"A servant, huh..." He looked thoughtful for a second. He had been close to a servant for Janel, if you thought about it. But he had gained something from the experience. He wondered if this female did...
"I might find a fight, I might see how the gladiator rings are ran here. But I'm here to find out more about..." He nodded towards the artificer's stall where they had met. "Magic items." He finished, not knowing how else to describe them.
Tessa blinked. That was something she knew very little of, as the En'Lojist household kept their servants away from magical items. "Ah...very interesting. If I find out anything, I'll poke about. And I'll keep an eye out on the gladiator rings to see if I can spot you competing." She looked up and blanched at the time of day.
"It was nice to meet you. I'm Tessa, by the way. But as the sun is climbing, I have to return to Alcion's lodgings and prepare for the day." With a wave, the woman rose from the fountain and headed off out of the marketplace at a hurried pace.
He watched her go for a second, mentally noting who she was, then stood, heading back to the artificer's stall. Hopefully this time he might find someone that could answer his question...
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Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:52 am
INTERLUDE
Tessa leaned on the balcony rail, thoughts of the bear bestial she'd met consuming her. She gazed out over the city towards the arena and debated how she should go about asking Alcion if they could attend some of the matches. He was not as easy to work around as his father. Some simple flattery and blatant grovelling with some polish to the old man's ego was usually enough to get Telperinquar turned in the direction she wished to travel.
Alcion did not share his father's ego, nor was his superiority complex as strong. Were Telperinquar here she would play to his judgement and intellect in betting on the fighters, as well as to his bloodlust to see lesser beings in violent sport for his amusement. Neither would be likely to pique Alcion's interest as he was neither of the belief his intellect was invincible, nor terribly interested in the degradation of "lesser beings".
She ran her fingertips along the heavily whitewashed wooden rail and continued to try and work up a means to get to see the fights. She spotted a street artist below, sketching the rotund form of a particularly chubby Feien fairy for the pleasure of it's elven bond and the thought struck home.
It would be simple enough to appeal to Alcion's artistic nature. Where could he possibly find better panoramas of warriors in combat then by seeing them live in the arena? She could ply him with the idea that quick sketches of battles could later be transformed into elegant paintings of battle scenes in less dingy environs.
With a gleeful grin the bard straightened and headed back into the room to clean up before seeking her Lord out.
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Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 10:09 pm
THE MARKET SQUARE
With a sway of her hips Tessa artfully dodged the hand of a passerby trying to snatch her coin purse off her belt. The market was crowded and it wasn't making her purpose easy this afternoon. She'd gone to Alcion's quarters to seek him out, but his valet informed her he'd gone out to enjoy the festival.
She hopped up on a wagon bed, ignoring the startled shout of the wagon owner, and shaded her eyes from the noonday sun to peer at the sea of bobbing heads drifting through the square. Even if no one in the world shared Alcion's hair color, she still doubted she'd be able to spot him amid so many bodies.
With a sigh she hopped back down, flipped the wagon owner a low-value coin, but certainly enough to compensate him for footprints on his wagonbed, and began wending her way further towards the merchant stalls.
Alcion continued to explain about the drawing, but then he stopped. He could have swore, on that wagon...
...
"Excuse me, miss Spade, but I believe I might have to cut this short..." He gently ripped the sheet from the drawing pad, rolled it, and handed it to her. "I apologize for leaving it unfinished, but I hope that you will still enjoy it..."
Getting up and shoving his drawing pad under his arm, he entered the crowd in search of Tessa.
There were a few things which Tessa knew were a given in her life. One of them was that if she wanted to find Alcion, the best way was to lure him to her rather than go looking. And to do that usually required nothing more than playing some of her music. The flame-haired bard slipped between the backs of two plump human servants trailing behind their elven masters to get to the spot she'd performed a few days prior.
Without an urchin in sight, she batted her lashes at a human festival goer and sweetly asked him to overturn a rain barrel for her to sit on. It didn't even require a coin like an urchin did, so she was pleased as she unwound the wrap from about her hips and laid it out atop the barrel bottom.
Once she settled in and got her lute into her lap, she hummed a few bars to warm up before launching into a song.
Unto the city of Terralusk
There came a fair young maid,
Dressed in the garb of nobility,
Her garments well arrayed.
In spite of magic in her veins
No spell she had to cast,
And so she came upon a shop,
With arcane things amassed.
Within this shop there was an elf
Both fair of face and hair,
And saw within the tender maid
Her magics unaware.
To teach he did an offer make
To help her find inside
The means to wake what slumbered there
The arcane touch espied.
"Oh where are thou
My magic bright?
I know you are inside.
Why come you not
Into the light?"
The lovely maiden sighed.
The sorcerer a merchant born
Did know his craft and trade,
And from his lessons magic came
Unto the lovely maid.
His tongue he taught, a language fair,
To sculpt from it each song,
To lyricize her arcane craft
And render magics strong.
"I feel you now
My magic bright!
I sense you in my heart.
I've drawn you forth
Into the light."
The maiden did impart.
And so the merchant mage did bid
The maiden fair partake,
Of evenings dark and lessons deep
A merchant's price to take.
In time she learned her lessons well
And led a happy life,
Until the merchant sorcerer
Announced she'd be his wife.
The lovely lass was quite aghast
For plans she had designed,
To travel far across the lands
And so his troth declined.
The sorcerer felt wrathful woe
And vowed she would not go.
The maid was forced to call upon
A spell to lay him low.
"I need you now
My magic bright
Rise like the lunar tide.
And stop the elf
Of moonkissed brow
I will not be his bride!"
And with her song the arcane surged
It welled betwixt the pair,
And dazed the mage a moment's breath
As she escaped his lair.
Into the night the maiden ran
To flee for honor?s sake.
To save herself from arcane wrath
She fled into the lake.
So to a merchant sorcerer
Her innocence was lost.
And waters claimed her final breath
Because a mage she crossed.
Unto this day I hold to heart
A lesson to obey:
No matter what a merchant sells
There'll be a price to pay.
One thing was known, and it was that Tessa knew Alcion extremely well. Trough he had already been searching for her, her voice confirmed that she was actually there, and all he had to do was follow it to find her.
This wasn't a simple task, he soon found out, do to the people gathering.
"Sorry ! Excuse me madam !!! Watch out !!! Ah, sorry, sorry !"
The crowd was DENCE. Alcion could barely take one step without colliding into someone... Trough he eventually emerged, simply waiting until Tessa would be done her song while waiting in front of the crowd.
Jakli sighed faintly as she made her way through the crowd. She'd gotten better at avoiding crashing into people or getting in their way while she was here. True, she had the occasional slip-up and got shoved around a bit, but she was getting better! Really!
She paused near the fountain in the center of the square, casting a searching glance around the area. She'd found some trinkets and baubles in the few days she'd been here - a simple necklace she'd purchased the other day hung around her neck now.
Now, she pricked an ear forward in a curious fashion, not that it would help much with all the chatter going on around the square. It all muddled together the further away it was, making it near impossible to pick out conversations. It wasn't exactly easy to see what was going on in the trader's booths either - not with all those people walking back and forth in front of them.
Jakli let her ears droop for a moment, starting away from the fountain. She'd just have to look for the daggers for her father the hard way, it seemed.
"Works every time," Tessa thought to herself, as she took her bows and nodded towards Alcion with a smile tilting on her lips. She wrapped her colorful scarf around her waist once more and approached the elf whose family she had served for her entire life.
"My Lord, I am most grateful that you have found me. I did truly need to speak with you. Might we go find some quiet shade somewhere and converse?"
Alcion could not help but blink, wondering what she needed to speak about, then glanced around.
"Perhaps near the fountain ? There are always less people there. Or it is private enough to require us to go back ?"
Tessa smiled and hitched the lute higher on her shoulder. "The fountain will suffice My Lord. It's just so noisy by the merchant stalls." She gestured for the elf to precede her, as always stepping in behind and to his left like a proper servant should.
Now wearing a modest, masculine chain necklace with an attached charm of a bird in flight, Zian has been watching Tessa's performance from the crowd. While it was never exactly his passion, he's always liked music. And he'd heard a few festival patrons describing this bard with favorable reviews.
So he's noticeably irritated when after one song - and an enjoyable oneshe's called aside by some elf he's never seen before. Thinking he's bothering her about the performance, and not exactly thinking twice, Zian calls out from his spot in the crowd. "Hey, let her sing! Encore!"
Alcion motioned to do so, but then a voice yelled across the crowd.
"Hey, let her sing! Encore!"
He stopped net, sending a serious glance at the crowd.
"...I am sorry, but Tessa and I have important things to discuss. I am sure you will all get to hear her voice again, but for now there are more important things at hand. We should hurry, Tessa..." He said, leading her toward the fountain.
Some people these days didn't remember how to be polite. Seesh...
The flame-haired bard's head turned towards the encore request, and she made an elaborate bow. "Many thanks for your appreciation, but I have business to attend. I shall gladly play for everyone later this evening with my kind Lord's permission and blessing." She gestured to Alcion with a smile that left no doubt as to her high esteem of the elf.
Without further adieu she turned to accompany her point-eared companion to the fountain. She settled on it's edge and folded her hands in her lap.
"My lord, I was wondering if it would be possible for us to attend some of the arena fights? I have heard they have the makings of some grand tales and songs, and I thought perhaps they might even be a good place to find wonderful models for your artwork."
"I was intending to, actually... It just seems that the area is always full by the time I get there to take places." He gave a smile, sitting on the side of the fountain. "Most unfortunate, but I hope we will get to attend at least once before the festival is over... this would be a shame if we did not."
He ran an hand trough his long hairs, looking pensive.
"I wonder when the next one will be... Perhaps if we come a bit early..."
Tessa smiled and contained her excitement at the response from Alcion. "I shall ask about, if you'd like, my Lord, and find out when the next arena battle is scheduled. I am sure someone of your stature will be able to easily secure some seats. If you'll excuse me now, Lord Alcion, I shall go do that very thing?"
"Go ahead." He smiled. "...But perhaps you should go back to your crowd... They're waiting to hear your wonderful voice, after all. I can look around myself..."
The bard bowed to Alcion and glanced over at the crowd. "Mayhap later these eve, Milord. My throat is feeling parched and I think it best if I seek some hot tea with honey to sooth it, lest I damage it in some way."
"Hmmm, true, this would be extremely bad if this would happen." Alcion was genuinely concerned... Not only because of her voice, but for her as a person. "Get some rest, please... ? I'll truly hate to see something like that happen to you, Tessa..."
"I shall Lord Alcion. If you have need of me further this day, I should be in the servant's chambers at our lodging until dinner." With that, Tessa bowed again and made her way back out of the Marketplace with a graceful step.
Alcion watched her leave, a small smile on his face as he himself left torward the area.
If he could at least get this for her...
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 8:34 am
A SMALL QUEST
The pile of coins laid on the tabletop glittered in the dimly reflected light of the tavern. The ambiance of the dank dark establishment hadn't altered by the addition of daylight, but Tessa felt as comfortable there now as she did when she came there her second night after arriving in Terralusk. The brawny human fellow across from her was the same one she'd been dancing with a few nights ago, and his attention was split between the shiny currency between them, and the curve of her lips which he'd so ardently been trying (and failing) to kiss during their dance.
"So Edgar, can you secure box seats for Lord Alcion and myself?" she asked, gesturing to the gold coins with a flick of her wrist. She took a sip from the glass of cheap, watered down wine at her elbow. The tavern didn't have the best spirits, as most of those went to the places that catered to the elven nobility. She swallowed it down though, aware that the tavern keeper was watching her from behind the bar while he cleaned glasses. The place might be able to pay her out a few coins to entertain it's patrons a few nights during the festival.
Edgar gave a slow nod and his gruff voice was almost plaintive, "Pr'haps pretty lady, if ye'd come back and dance with me tonight." He winked at her, and she counted herself lucky that he was actually charming most of the time.
She added another coin to the pile and grinned. "I'll try, but if my Lord has need of my services, this should compensate you for the loss of the dance, hm?"
The man's eyes zeroed in on the coin and he nodded with a grunt. "That it shall, lass. I'll secure the seats for ye and send word te y'ere lodgings. Dinnae think I don't realize ye're puttin me off." He chuckled good naturedly.
Tessa rose and kissed his cheek gently. "Thank you Edgar, you're a dear. If Alcion gets to betting, I'll be sure to send his money your way to place the wagers."
Edgar smiled and gathered up the pile of coins in his large, callused hands. "Ye do that, lass. And ye be careful, those arena patrons can be the rough sort."
Bemused, Tessa looked around at the tavern full of murderous looking humans and bestials. She ahemed quietly. "Sure thing, tiger. I'll be on my guard." The bard slipped back out into the festival crowds once more.
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Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2005 2:05 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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