As the soldier waved down one of the serving girls, the bard reached the first chorus, and virtually everyone in the tavern lent their voice to the effort.
Dinner under the stars
We ended up with scars!
What could be more tragic,
Than Maribels Magic?
The song told the story of love gone awry between a noble prince and a mage nad Maribel. In the usual version, Maribel was portrayed as beautiful but moody, while the singer of the song was naive and lustful. However, this bard tweaked the lyrics to change the aning, turning Maribel into a misunderstood romantic, while the singer seed depressed that he wasnt a mage of her caliber.
Okay, I think I like this version, Gandash said after the third chorus.
Sa, Gem said as the serving girl swept by and dropped a tankard in front of him. Picking it up, he said, Cheers, boys.
The three of them drank and enjoyed the rest of the bards rendition of Maribels Magic. By the end, the room was in a frenzy, screaming the chorus and stamping feet and clapping hands with such vigor that the entire tavern seed to shake.
After the bard finished, he stood and bowed to thunderous applause and quite a few lewd comnts.
Id give Maribel a good ti. Or two! Bahahaha!
What ol Maribel needs aint a mage, its a good strong man!
Xerxes could see Gandash grinding his teeth. It was obvious his friend was still irritated at the locals crude jokes about mages.
Co on, Gandy, Xerxes said, theyre just farrs and bumpkins. I bet nobody heres ever even seen a real life mage before.
Es right, Gem said. Dont take it to eart.
It just pisses off, Gandash said. Gem, do you know how hard Xerxes and I worked to get to this point? Seers at only sixteen years old? Already sent on a mission from the capital? And they talk about us like were either fools or limpdicks or
Ey, calm down, Gem said, putting a hand on Gandashs forearm.
Yeah, Xerxes added, who gives a shit what they think, anyway?
Gandash didnt seem convinced, and continued to glare around as various raucous comnts and laughter wafted about. The bard had left the stage and was presumably taking a break before starting another set. It was late, but not that late, and there was no way the tavern or the bard were going to miss out on the coin a crowd like this would turn over.
With the military convoy in town, of which Gem, Gandash, and Xerxes were part of, there was business the likes of which a place like this normally wouldnt see outside of major festivals. There were soldiers, woodsn, and locals as well, and the entire room buzzed with energy.
The convoy had been on the road for the better part of a month, and this was the last bit of civilization before they headed out into the wild forest. Their mission wasnt inherently dangerous or particularly interesting, being little more than an inspection of a castle close to the border. But the soldiers were happy to relax a bit and spend so ti without mud-spattered boots and nights spent on hard bedrolls.
As they waited for the bard to return for his next set, Gem tried to make so small talk. Xerxes accommodated, but Gandash clearly wasnt having it, and seed more interested in cocking his ear to listen for any unflattering comnts made about mages. Xerxes knew what was going on. Normally speaking, Gandash wasnt as sensitive as this. But these tankards of ale were big, and he was on his second one already. The alcohol was getting to him. And given how mages seed to have beco sothing of a the already, it was a given that more jokes and stories would be heard as the evening wore on.
Xerxes weighed his options. The last thing they needed to do was provoke so sort of tavern brawl. If that happened, Captain Ishki would have their hides. She was from Od just like Bel was, but Xerxes knew full well that she wouldnt give a rats ass if these yokels made a few bawdy comnts about mages or people from Od.
Struck with a sudden idea, he said, Hey, Gem, I have an idea.
Yeah, Xerk?
What if we did a little demonstration for these Unsighted gentlefolk? Show them plain and simple what a mage can do?
Gem grinned widely, revealing the huge gap made by his missing teeth. Whaddya ave in mind?
Xerxes explained his plan and Gems grin widened. Even Gandashs frown had leveled out and seed on the verge of turning into a smile.
Agreed? Xerxes said.
What if soones seen that trick before? Gem asked.
Xerxes shrugged. Play it by ear?
Gem nodded. Alright. Lets do it! Been a while since I've been part of a show. Without any further discussion, he smacked his hand loudly on the table and rose into a standing position. Friends! he shouted over the buzz of conversation, and quite a few heads turned in his direction. Clapping twice, he raised his voice even louder and said, Friends! I ave a bit of an announcent to make!
The room quieted even further.
Allow to introduce myself. My very short and simple na is Gegishkirihallat, and Im but an umble soldier from the capital!
His comnt provoked so laughter. His long na was sothing of a running joke among the soldiers, although there was another soldier in the group who had a similarly long appellation.
Continuing, Gem said, I am passing through your most lovely town along with my fellow soldiers and mages.
Xerxes and Gandash werent soldiers, so they didnt need to wear uniforms. At the mont, they wore utilitarian travel clothing that made it impossible to guess anything about them. And even if they had been wearing their mage attire, it was unlikely rustic folk such as this would have realized what it was.
As Gem let his words hang for a mont, the room grew more quiet. Xerxes took the opportunity to look around and gauge the feeling of the crowd. Most people seed curious, and perhaps slightly apprehensive.
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