"I should leave better words to a man who can weave them into tapestry and herald the end of our performances, Master Telluride if you would please."
"Master Telluride in the flesh!"
![[Image: 7T0aPfC.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/7T0aPfC.jpg)
Nathan Telluride stands, taking stage on the boulder, "Althyk changes things, all right. Tonight, I was set to duet, but circumstances have kept my lovely partner from us tonight, while she tends to sudden urgent business. But! The show goes on."
"The god of change affects everyone - even arrogant, annoying, lewd bards like myself. I used to be a solitary kind of bastard, until I learned what a good harmony could bring."
Oscare nods in agreement. "Aye, aye."
"So, this is a part of our story, the one that changed me from being strictly a solo act, and since Cora is not here, I will have to sing our song to her stand in."
Nathan strums his lute to a surprisingly slow, heavy beat, as he clears his throat, apparently serenading the wind-up Minfilia.
♪ It was a clear night, four days paast Starlight; she turned and said to me, 'This is our first one.' ♪
 ♪ I tried to sing a song, one that I thought I knew; I stopped and said to her, 'This one's about you."♪
♪ 'Twas at the Quicksand, that I first touched your hand; I played a simple tune, then it was me and you. ♪
♪ It was a clear night of tide and heartbeats; I knew not at the time the things that we would do. ♪
♪ In the bars, under stars, did I show you my strings, but the wind and the ocean brought on other things. ♪
♪ When I first held you there, on a dock in the Mist, it was maybe a passing thing after we kissed. ♪
♪ And although you were lovely, by the gods all above me, When that symphony stopped, I expected no more. ♪
♪ Then your harp started playin, to see if I were stayin', and inside I was moved, and we danced trough the night. ♪
♪And the melody you played me never did quite go away, and so I am besides you still, today. ♪
♪ Don't you want to be free from a wand'rer like me, out of evening gloom and back safe in your room? ♪
♪ But you say you'll be fine, with a fresh glass of wine, and we face a new cycle with fresh new design. ♪
♪ And the melody you played me never did quite go away, and so here I am beside you still, today. ♪
♪ I might have been alone: you safe, within your home. My dreams were changed once I had found you. ♪
♪ Now you're stuck with me, babe, your dreams mixed with my own. If I'm not to be alone, I'll build my dreams around you. ♪
♪ And the melody you played me never did quite go away, and so here I am beside you still, today. ♪
![[Image: GRY5WvP.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/GRY5WvP.jpg)
Nathan bows to his 'partner', and then to the audience, as the lute stills. "Lady Jancis, the rock is yours."
"Thank you."
Jancis spoke over the applause, encouraging it to continue. "Pilgrims, I beg your hands again for all of our wonderful performers, story tellers, and the music from our bards this day."
"Also a very grateful thank you and praise to our guards who made our path safe and our pilgrimage carefree." she reaches out, gesturing behind everyone to the stoic guards along the waterline.
"At this time, Lady Iskierka has agreed to listen to your needs, your tales, and perchance give you a glimpse into the future, Althyk willing. If you wish to speak to her she shall be upon this rock."
Jancis holds up the hand-bell, ringing it, heralding the end of the pilgrimage ceremony. Others echo out through the crowd and in the twilight people stand and stretch, breaking into groups to talk and enjoy each-others company.
![[Image: hpThOka.png]](http://i.imgur.com/hpThOka.png)
