Warden's Daughter Pt.8

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-wow, on a roll with posting. (Because this is mostly just the book right now . . . )

Fang, Song, Vanish

As Janner walks away, I offer a hand to Leeli as she stands. She places her hand on mine, pushing herself up to use her crutch as the horn blows.

Janner tugs at Tink as I walk in pace with Leeli and Nugget.

“Could you three walk any slower?” Janner asks-almost snarls.

“Hang on, I want a Berry bun.” Tink digs in his pocket with his free hand, Janner tugging his other arm harder.

“I’ll buy you a berry dumpling later if you want. Come on.”

I shake my head though he can’t see it. I feel Leeli watching the action and smile at her, slowing down as she picks a way across the busy path.

We sit on the lawn close to the front watching the handball game with Leeli playing with Nugget to the side.

Suddenly, I hear people bumping into each other and muttering apologies at the far end of the field.

Almost immediately, I heard someone close to the front say something about Armulyn. The Bard who was believed to come from Anniera sharing its tales.

I hear someone closer say something more understandable; “Armulyn himself showed up? Really? Oh! And to accept a request to sing . . . ”

I see Janner and Tink turn towards each other, smiles obvious in disbelief.

The game wraps up quickly, the players standing and stretching.

The audience, while some don’t notice, glares at them for being in the way for such a wonderful (or so said) moment.

Two of Mayor Baggus’s helpers carry in an old wagon, the wheels surprisingly still attached.

He steps up and watches the Fangs behind the crowd as he speaks, “With our all-wise and stunningly handsome and powerful and swift soldiers’ permission,” He bows much deeper than the Fangs deserve, almost tipping his hat off his head, “We would like to hear a song or two from the bard, Armulyn. We  beseech your lordships this trite pleasure, for which we will give you our eternal thanks and gratitude.”

So says a free coward and his believers, I think, matching up with Tink’s muttering. 

“Speak for yourself,” I hear, and almost nod in agreement.

I hear a Fang growl behind me, and the mayor continues, “We thank you, kind masters,”  His voice smooths, trying to use the one power he still has as mayor, “My dear friends and neighbors, an honor rarely bestowed has risen on us like a warm sun. Armulyn the Bard, tale-spinner of the imaginary Shining Isle of Anniera, has chanced to join us in Glipwood on this fine day. He has accepted my invitation to perform for us. Please welcome this son of Skree to Glipwood by the sea. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Armulyn the Bard!”

A man steps up in Mayor Blaggus’s spot, a whistleharp under one arm. The clapping grows in sound, and he smiles. 

Wait, something doesn’t seem-

“Hello, dear Skreeans!” He yells, “Fangs are ugly!”

-Right . . .

The applause stops. The Fangs lounging at the back hiss, rushing forward.

Armulyn raises his instrument, starting a song.

The Fangs halt beside us, trying to cover their ears while waving their swords.

I close my eyes, trying to ignore the headache from the Annieran tune.

“Sssilence!” The Fang growls, still trying to multitask.

The bard stops and I open my eyes. He looks annoyed at the interruption, “Yes?” He asks.

“Careful, bard. It would be nothing for us to chop you into bits and gobble you in a broth,” The Fang spits.

Armulyn simply smiles, “I doubt you’d like the taste of me. I’m wiry and ill fed.  Will that be all?” He adds after a moment of silence.

“Enjoy your pretty songs and we will enjoy killing you all the moment Gnag the Nameless decides he is finished with you. May that day come quickly.” The Fang flicks his tongue, hissing at a girl close by. 

When they pass, I hold my hand out to her, a paper butterfly resting on my palm.

As Armulyn starts his song again, the girl dashes forward to grab the paper before hiding back behind her mother.

I glance over to Leeli as she follows Nugget, returning back to the music shortly after.

With the end of a song, the bard lowers his instrument and we hear a horn from the direction of the cliffs.

“The dragons,” Janner breathes. I stand and turn to Leeli, seeing if she needs help up.

Shoot! I squeeze through the crowd in the direction I saw her heading earlier, ignoring Janner and Tink and expecting to see them at the cliffs.

I didn’t watch long enough to be sure where she went after the first alley, so I walk up streets, marking them off on a mental map.

I pause to listen for a moment, hearing a sound decently close. Nugget!

-Oh no! (But I'm sure we all knew this part was coming)