Information, Magic, and Nightlife (29)

I looked at the stunned faces of my companions over my ocarina. The instrument did not hide my upturned corner of my lips at my own merriment at their awe. This was a type of magic that did not require magical energy of the none humans to use. It could be learned by any human with a bit of musical talent. I read from their mind that the subdued magical strings weaved into the practise notes I played reminded them of the Atlantian bards' training. The more musically talented the player was, the stronger the magic they could release with their notes as they played. But for me, I could add the vibrations of all the stars in my notes as I played giving life to the music that could sway the listener to be more open and calmer. It was a way to encourage many and change their hearts without touching their minds because the music was a magic they had stirring deep within each of them.

As the night progressed, the inn keeper's words rang true as the men gathered around Meli and the woman around Sert while I played. Sert and Meli realized quickly that my musical magic made the patrons speak of their lives and stories as much as ask about Atlantis. I resisted the urge to smile as I played on when Meli or Sert would ask the correct question allowing information to drop from the heavens into their laps. It included the tales of a giant that made it's home along our trail with possible alternate routes to avoid the monster.

I was linked to my companions' mind just watching over them while I played turning one song into another without pause. It was through Meli's eyes that I first noticed what my own eyes avoided. Many of the young woman and older girls of the town seemed drawn to me as I played. I knew this had nothing to do with the magic I threaded into the notes. This was a in a way another magic that had gained me attention. Anyone could have this magic that turned me into a magnet while I became one with the music I played.

Charisma was another special type of magic that could be learned by humans. It did not require music or words but they did help it. It was the aura of presence that was the heart of this non-magically based gift. I knew that my present inspired those around me to do their best normally with few words from my mouth. But this gathering was different as I began fearing the whispered thoughts of the group congregating around me. Few available men in town not already cloistered in the military tents erected outside the town. The music I played showed me as higher quality than Sert because of his accent. I continued to ignore the women and their thoughts of offering themselves to me.

It was midway through the evening when I finally excused myself claiming fatigue from the trip. The women did not get a chance to approach me as I moved quickly toward the stairs while the inn keeper and his wife took that moment to rush between us with loaded trays. Meli and Sert glanced at me as my feet started up the stairs slowly and heavily. I signalled to them to stay receiving a quick nod of understanding from each of them. I found one of the children from earlier hiding around the corner of the last step.

“Are you here to show me to my room?” I asked pleasantly. The young boy nodded as he smiled at me. He turned expecting me to follow him down the short corridor. “Who is the stable tender?” I stated.

“Big brother.” he answered quickly. He had not even looked up at me as he answered.

“Can you run these coins to your brother asking he brushes down our oxen?” I continued easily.

“He would do that anyways without coins.” the boy replied. He stopped before the second door. “Your room with the young man near the stairs and the woman around the corner safely hidden from view sir.” he told me. “Brother likes animals and knows how to care for them well.” he informed me. “And dad said you're helping the town more than you know.” he added in a shy whisper.

“Take the coins and split them with your siblings then.” I said with a smile. “And the town is more than welcomed.” I added softly.

“Mom and dad are going to make sure you are not disturbed.” he stated.

“Thank him for me if you get the chance.” I returned. “Now I must rest since we still have much travelling ahead of us still.” I added. He smiled up at me before rushing back to his perch by the stairs. I laughed softly to myself before entering my room. A simple bed with a small table like board and bench was all that was in this small room.

I stretched out on the bed still watching through Meli's and Sert's eyes. While still talking, my companions cast casual glances toward the stairs spotting the young women's attempt to join me. The inn keeper or his wife seemed to be working very hard upon the stairs themselves blocking the path to those amorously inclined women. I saw the look pass between my companions as both seemed to accept letting the inn keeping couple guard me until they were ready to retire many hours later. I had drifted into true sleep when the soft knock was heard at my door. I remained silent feigning sleep as the door creaked slowly open.

“It is not polite to spy on guests.” I stated softly.

“I am sorry but your music was delightful.” the young woman's voice stated softly. “May I sit so we can speak?” she added softly. I rose and turned to sit on the edge of the bed before nodding to her. She moved quickly to pull the bench nearer to the bed so she could sit facing me.

“What did you wish to speak about?” I asked casually. I touched her mind gently realizing she was the inn keeper's daughter whom had been working in the kitchen during my performance. The fear of having gained unwanted attention kept me on guard.

“About music and this.” she replied quickly. She produced a small bundle that she slowly opened on her lap revealing small pan type pipes. “A minstrel passing through gave this to me but I still cannot seem to play them properly.” she admitted shyly. I nearly laughed in relief over my fear.

“I am known by many names but my Alton companions know me as Kestrel.” I said slowly. “Those pipes are difficult since each reed has it's own note and timber as you breath through it.” I explained softly.

“The notes are easy to find when another is playing but I cannot find them when I am alone.” she returned. “I am Mathan and I wish for a chance to learn and play these pipes.” she continued. I felt the frustration in her mind and heart as she felt the music flowing in her but could not release it. It was a sudden enlightenment to me that she was bardic gifted. Music flowed inside her wanting and aching to be freed into the world.

“Practice would be my best advice to you.” I stated softly. Her shoulders slumped as her face darkened while I felt the hopelessness in her rising. “Or it is like Orpheus, a lire in his hands was magical but he could do nothing of renown with other instruments.” I suggested. I held out my hand to her and she slowly placed the pipes in my grasp. I rose them to my mouth to blow a short string of notes that weaved into each other. “Or it is the type of instrument.” I continued. I placed the pipes back in her hand. She was smiling once more at me. “I have always found it easier with wind instruments.” I added.

“The minstrel heard me whistling and thought these pipe would be good for me.” she returned. “He played many instruments well which is why I believed him but so far it seems impossible to me.” she continued.

“Whistle to me an air?” I replied quickly. She started softly whistling one of the melodies I had played that night. I reached for my shoulder pouch to claim my ocarina. I began softly weaving counter notes to what she whistled. I signalled to her to use the pipes as I continued playing softly. She found the proper notes instantly as she played to accompany me.

I let my power flair around me hiding the sounds from those below in the common room as both of us played louder shifting in mid note into new melodies. I felt the power rising in her notes as she fell fully into the music as I appeared to do earlier that night. Suddenly I felt time slowing as she played proving to me she was more powerful than she could ever imagine. In her mind, I saw her wanting to be sitting here forever simply playing music and happy which made time slow around her. I stopped playing but kept my ocarina glued to my mouth while she continued her performance alone. My soft chuckle had her stop a few moments later.

“You were playing on your own without problems.” I whispered to her. She sat on the bench staring at the pipes in her hand. “I would suggest that you listen to the music in your mind as your accompaniment when you play.” I told her softly. She looked up at me at first confused. The radiant smile formed slowly as I could see in her mind understanding forming.

“I thank you.” she nearly squealed. I laughed feeling the weight suddenly removed from her. “Will you stay another night and help me perform?” she asked. She reached out to touch my arm in a gentle grasp.

“Unfortunately I cannot Mathan.” I replied in a whisper. “The Alton I guide have much to visit in a very short time.” I admitted to her. “But I have no doubt that once your father hears you play, he will want you playing every night in the common room.” I added She smiled at me once more.

“I regret your departure Kestrel.” she stated. “But I thank you again for showing me how to play as you do.” she continued. “I must go before your charges retire.” she added quickly. She was on her feet moving like the wind back to the door to leave. I sat for a few minutes on the edge on the bed before laying back down. I checked on Meli and Sert mentally but found both of them still hip deep in tales while still glancing toward the stairs. I drifted back into sleep until the morning when a knock finally awoke me.