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“Sure wish you could stay longer,” Kalim, owner of the Wallowing Swine says to him.

“I know,” replies Kir. “But I have other engagements in which I’m committed, I’m sorry to say. I should be back in a couple months.”

“Good,” replies Kalim. “Always a full house when you are here.”

Kir just flashes him a grin before taking one last swallow of the wine. Moving away from the bar, he makes his way back to the stage amidst a smattering of applause. As he takes his seat and removes his instrument off the stand next to him, the room becomes quiet as every eye is fixed upon him.

He starts out with a lively tune, a favorite of the locals and soon has them slapping the tables to the beat, some even sing along.

As he continues through his repertoire of songs, the house slaves move among the patrons, filling glasses and seeing to their every need.

After his fourth song, a long love ballad that always gets the ladies in the room misty eyed, someone calls out for a new song. Others join in the cry and he says, “Very well. Here’s one I learned not too long ago from a traveler who had come a long ways.”

He begins the song, a catchy tune with a chorus that’s easy to learn. When he begins the second verse…

Crash!

…a slave drops a tray which had held a pitcher of ale and several mugs. As he continues the song, he looks toward the sound of the breaking pottery and sees the slave standing there, staring at him.

A strange look upon his face, the slave begins to come toward him.

One of the workers at the inn makes his way through the crowd toward the slave, all eyes now on the slave who’s approaching Kir. “Back to work!” yells the worker to the slave.

Kir can see from the expression on the worker’s face that the slave is going to be severely punished, not only for the breaking of the pottery, but for not heeding his words.

Suddenly, the slave notices the worker coming for him and breaks into a run toward Kir.

Stopping the song, he gets to his feet and begins backing away from the fast approaching slave as other workers move to intercept him. The patrons begins shouting their displeasure at the actions of the slave and one even throws a bowl, hitting the slave in the head but not slowing him down.

Just as the slave reaches the edge of the stage, he’s tackled by another worker. Crying out, he reaches out for Kir, speaking in a language he’s unfamiliar with as a second worker joins the first.

They begin pummeling him until he becomes quiet and then drag him away. Before they take him completely from the room, the slave looks back to Kir, the expression on his face can only be one of pleading.

After the slave is removed, Kir resumes his seat and starts the song over again. By the time he’s finished two more songs, the mood of the inn has returned once more to the jovial one it had enjoyed before the disturbance.

As he continues through song after song, the incomprehensible actions of the slave continue to play over and over in his mind.

James’ adventures continues in:

The Star of Morcyth

Book Five of The Morcyth Saga

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