"It is said that not all times are joyous, but they do have meaning. Lord Vaughn please honor us with your music and your tale."
Vaughn Antain tunes his lapharp as he cautiously walks up. "Thank you, Lady Jancis."
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"Times change many stories. This is one that I have changed to help bear with the past."
Vaughn starts playing his lap-harp.
Vaughn starts playing his lap-harp.
“Long ago, on an island in the Jade Sea, lived a Man and his Wife in a hut in the middle of the thick forests. They worked hard to clear the land and build their home while keeping the surrounding area pristine and untouched by their hands.â€
“One day, the Man heard word from the ocean spirits that his brother was at sea. He knew his Brother had no experience outside the sands of Thanalan, and the sea is a dangerous place for those unfamiliar with it. His Wife saw the troubled look in her husband’s face, and used the remainder of their supplies to build him a small boat to rescue his brother.â€
“However, the sea had other plans. Not long after the Man left to find his brother, a Soldier visited the Wife, telling her she betrayed her own kind by living like a savage instead of the royalty she was born to, and must return to her noble house or pay for her treacherous deed.â€
“The Wife fought back with her words, telling the Soldier she’d rather die than be without her Husband. That no one else ever showed her kindness or love before him. The Soldier drew his sword upon her, but she had tricks of her own. She called upon the surrounding water spirits to bury the Soldier beneath their waves, but the Soldier was too quick.â€
“He dodged the attempts of the minor spirits and encased his sword in bolts of lightning, easily overpowering the spirits, and then the Wife. Fight as she tried, she could not overcome the lightning that suddenly coursed through her veins. Once she was defeated, the Soldier burned the hut to the ground, as well as the rest of the forest.â€
“The Wife fought back with her words, telling the Soldier she’d rather die than be without her Husband. That no one else ever showed her kindness or love before him. The Soldier drew his sword upon her, but she had tricks of her own. She called upon the surrounding water spirits to bury the Soldier beneath their waves, but the Soldier was too quick.â€
“He dodged the attempts of the minor spirits and encased his sword in bolts of lightning, easily overpowering the spirits, and then the Wife. Fight as she tried, she could not overcome the lightning that suddenly coursed through her veins. Once she was defeated, the Soldier burned the hut to the ground, as well as the rest of the forest.â€
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“Out at sea, the Man could still feel the loss that was in his heart. He no longer sensed the warmth of his Wife, and he heard the wounded cries of the water and earth spirits. Suddenly, he felt cold silver at his neck: the edge of a blade. ‘Brother,’ he said, ‘only you could ever sneak up on me. How could you do such things?’"
“The Brother spoke, ‘It is the Soldier who directs me. And I am no longer the Brother you once knew.’ The Man sighed, knowing all was lost. ‘May I at least write my Wife one last letter?’ the Man requested. The Brother nodded.â€
“The moment the letter was written, the Man closed his eyes and waited for the fatal blow. The Brother completed his orders from the Soldier, and sailed the tiny boat back to the island so the Man could rest with his Wife.â€
“Nowadays, one can see the island in the Jade Sea by the tell-tale red amaranths that now grow: The Man’s and the Wife’s favorite flower, blooming in the remnants of their eternal love.â€
Vaughn smiles lightly and wraps up the tune, nodding in a half-bow.
“The moment the letter was written, the Man closed his eyes and waited for the fatal blow. The Brother completed his orders from the Soldier, and sailed the tiny boat back to the island so the Man could rest with his Wife.â€
“Nowadays, one can see the island in the Jade Sea by the tell-tale red amaranths that now grow: The Man’s and the Wife’s favorite flower, blooming in the remnants of their eternal love.â€
Vaughn smiles lightly and wraps up the tune, nodding in a half-bow.
Though the pilgrims clapped there was a solemn feel to it, the story's effect washing over them. R'tashana brushed aside a tear. "You play beautifully. And such a touching story. I wish I had just a small sampling of your talent." Vaughn smiled at her. "If you wish to learn, I can teach." Tilting her head to the side, she replied "Perhaps..."
Nathan rubbed his chin, his face an impassive mask while Jancis took a deep breath, holding up her hand to ask for a moment.
"Is amazing how words can touch us all, pardon my lapse."
"Is amazing how words can touch us all, pardon my lapse."
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