#elsewhere

"You wish to perform ,Troubadour?" The Gwydion Lady says "Well, you sang for me... so, if you like, yes, you can sing for the warriors." She gestures causually "Knights, Thanes, and Freelances"

The woman has more warriors than she could ever need.

Jonas looks at Piper "Well? This was your ...shall we say, eccentric solution?"

Which is a slilghtly fancier way of saying "Crazy idea"

She looks over the crowd, and nods. To Jonas, "It's for Siv. Which is selfish of me. But it's also for Sparrow, who was kind to me. And a deserving cause. Playing... which I love... is the least I can do."

Piper steps forward, and bows to the Gwydion, and then to the crowd. "My name is Piper, and I am of River Vale. I come to sing to you the story of sorrow and reclamation, and of honor and glory."

Heads turn, curiousity, muttering. The audiance isn't hers.. yet

She starts with a soft strum, low and evocative, and sings in a low, heart-wrenching melody.

"Sluagh Wenceles was trapped, by chains swift and cruel;
Balor bound and dragged away, under despot rule.
Siv the Lion came to fight, Fiona swift and true,
Knowing that she could not stand a sight so wrong and cruel.

Hither, serf, and stand by me; whisper to me, telling
Yonder Master, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?"
Dame, he rules some leagues from here; I have fled his reign
Deep with desert of tears, Trapped by fear and pain

Thought they fought, Knight vs Balor; He did not duel true
Bitter poison stained his blade; Where he bit the knight through
Poison alone cannot fell; The bold Fiona Lion!
Back again with friends at hand, never stopping trying!

Though the night seemed darker now, Serpent strong in tower
Those who banded together; Had a stronger power
Knight and Lover, fighting bold. Sluagh slinking by,
Varich clever distracting, Liam flying high.

Enemies worked hand in hand, Tossing off the chains!
Where the tears were dry as dust, Brighter Winds now reign.
Therefore, Fae folk, young and old, kith or rank possessing
Thy lives and glamour are once more; Thy own, with Sparrow's Blessing."

She lets the strumming fade... just for a moment, so that they can consider... but she does not relinquish the stage, not yet...

Most respond with approval. A good tale. A few look particularly stirred ready to cheer for this

but a few mutter "varich and slaugh on the same side? Riight"

Before they can lapse back into murmuring and conversation, before their attention on her fades, she hits a higher note, and calls,

"Now you know the story... and let me get to the point. Baroness Sparrow holds the lands of Bright Winds, but the trods are still under siege, and the lands undermanned. Who amongst you are sitting bored and restrained, pandemic-fatigued and tired, hearing of things that cannot be fought by strength of arm and struggling against despair?"

"Hear ye now, HERE is a foe you can fight! To arms, warriors, and at Bright Winds, find fresh challenge and honor!"

"Axes flash, broadsword swing,
Shining armour's piercing ring
Let no silver road be sealed -
Fight for a fair playing field!
Walked by knight or Common folk,
Fight to keep the trods fair-owned!
Sound the horn and call to fight,
Let no Balor steal our rights!"

She sings, strumming, now no mellow and somber carol, but a stirring call to battle! The tune is a well-known one, the March Of Cambreadth, but the words her own.

"Guard these folk and childlings well,
Against those who would let slavery dwell
Teach them that yon Warriors Bold
Will leave such bastards in the cold!
Seek you now an honest fight?
Fight for Brightwinds People's Rights!
Raise her flag up to the sky,
Let no more Dry Tears be cried!"

The muttering, killed in its infancy stills.\

JOnas picked a good place to stop at. The Gwydion lady would not tolerate Balor here... she was known to dislike them immensely

and so Piper calls out, stirring a sense of chivalry in many

She catches her breath, and gives a shaky smile over to Jonas, and bows.

Swords have been drawn, but not to threaten the singer, but to show support for a barony , baroness, and people that many today, until now, have never heard of!

"I will not have it said that I sat fat and comfortable while a Liam fought for the right with but a hand ful to aid her!" One sidhe says sword shining

"The Code " A troll stands up tall "The code demands we help them"

She slides her small hand into Jonas's and gives him a squeeze. Looking up - "Did I do okay?"

"Did you do okay?" JOnas squeezes back "You're amazing.. listen to them.." and he kisses her

Even as a satyr holds up a spear "There's glory to be had out west, and people to aid!"

She kicks up a heel and kisses back! "We'll see when Siv comes home." A wink.

A redcap wipes his lips "Let's get er done!"

and suddenly it has turned into a rally on who will send aid, who will go temporarily to help, and who plans to move there forever- baroness willing!

Jonas says to her after the kiss, "She's going to be amazed like I am, and proud. " He smiles

"Indeed," A gwydion lady, their host and the liege of this place shakes her head "You've pinched atl east four good warriors from with a song, troubadour..... at least. I should be cross. But there was truth in your lyrics. "

"I will gladly repay you their loss, Lady, if you wish a singer for another time." She bows.

"Someone one is confident to think their song is worth a full handful of warriors" The Gwydion raises a brow, then smiles "But I admire confidence. Will you be staying for the full three nights? Or going elsewhere to pinch yet more holds of excess steel?"

She looks to Jonas.

And, shyly to the Gwydion - Jonas gives her courage, but she's still not good at talking to nobles... "I've seen how mighty warriors can eat. You'll save a bundle in provision." A grin. "If we may, I'll play for you for three nights... but if we have other stops, I will promise to return, for whatever event you may wish, and sing your praises as a gracious host."

"Oh, you can have the other nights when you wish, just, don't recruit at each performance here .. I'm not THAT Lacking in the larder"

Jonas chuckles

Jonas looks at her "THank you, Lady, you are a credit to the magnanimous nature of your house.. and your generosity will be mentioned."

"mm" she looks thoughtful "Yes, I suppose my hold certainly will be making a contribution to a noble cause"

"Oh Lady of Falcon, so graceful and bold, her beauty of heart shines purer than gold, helping with Warriors from her own hold!" She strums, with a small smile. "A work in progress, of course..."

"I recognize you're playing on my vanity a bit here, good troubadour, fortunately for you two.." She touches her hair "I like that. Go tell the warriors more details. They'll have questions."

"And then" She says "Whatever hold you raid next.. I hope they are solid warriors"

A smile to the lady. "Thank you! I hope so too. I just hope whoever we get to go... that it's enough!"

"Let us hope. I know the Balor. They'll be recruiting as well"

A small frown, perhaps a pout, but... "They don't have Sylvi or me on their side." A smile.

Jonas says "Normally I would try to curb satyric bluster, but, oddly, I concur. Piper, as you've seen, has a persuasive effect and Syliv is no slacker at banner raising herself"

"Then the Sparrow of Brightwinds is fortunate"

And off they go to the next 'performance'

(End scene)