Disclaimer: I don't sue!! There not mine, there Pat's the master animal crossing guard!!
That night after the appearance of Devi, the night seemed to only go down hill. I should go back to the university and ask for my money back, and become a professional lute player. Wilem and Simmon decided to call it a night early. They had taken the option of drowning the sorrows to heart, having far to much ale. I pitied them and their journey home. They had stumble their way back across to the university, over the river. I was thankful for my room above the bar, myself, in not much better condition. I made my way up to my small room, planning on crashing out for the night but I couldn't sleep.
The thought of Devi and the debt I owed her played heavily. I wonder if I was in the right place. My life in Tarbean had been simpler. There the threat of Pike and his boys on Dockside but it he didn't seem so scary now. I could go back to Trapis's basement. He would always have a place for the needy, I could help him with the sick children. I thought of the rooftop I slept on for three years, the begging or theft would be easy enough to return to.
But my heart would not be content until I learnt the name of the wind. Nor could I leave without finding out the truth in the story of Lanre. I had to learn his weakness, I had to know how defeat him. How to avenge my parents. I didn't know if Lanre was who I thought he was, but when they took away the storyteller Skarpi, I wondered.
Lanre the hero who became a villain. The man who could not die. The Chandrian.
Was it possible that I was right? That the once noble soldier who was brought back from death by his lover Lyra was the murder? Was he the man I was searching for?
The Chandrian.
If he was, I could never win. The battle was lost long ago, on the night they killed my family. Cinder was always a fresh memory in my mind.
' Someone's parents,' he said, ' have been singing entirely the wrong sort of songs.'
Yes Cinder had been the fear in my mind as a young boy but now I thought of the other man. The one who told him to kill me.
' You are approaching my displeasure, this one has done nothing, send him to the soft and painless blanket of his sleep.'
I had been foolish not to see the real threat before my eyes. The man had been impossible to see that night, his appearance hidden by the unnatural shadow. Now as I thought of Skarpi's story that day down on dockside, I wondered.
He spoke of Selito and the curse he placed on Lanre with the blood from his own eye. He had cursed his name.
' This is my doom upon you. May your face be always held in shadows, black as the toppled towers of my beloved Myr Tariniel.
' This is my doom upon you. Your own name will be turned against you, that you shall have no peace.
Was Lanre the man Cinder had called Lord Haliax?
Was he one in the same?
The Chandrian?
It was clear to me as the rising sun, that I had but one option, my lute.
Today I would try my luck on the streets. The people on this side of the river saw the beauty in the art of sound. They would tip handsomely for a song like the one I played on the night I won my pipes. I deadened to go down to the market. I sat up and began to play my lute. I noticed a few heads turn, even a few move towards me. I weaved a spell over them as I played a happy tune. It was a common children's song. I played hour, after hour by the fish cart. Slowly jots were placed in my hat, and I couldn't help but smile. This was going to be easier then I imagined.
With luck like mine, I should of known better, a watched as a few local men approached. The sun was setting now, the day all but spent. The crowd quickly dwindle off until there was no one but them. They were the kind of people Pike would have grown into back in Tarbean on Dockside. They were thugs with a mean swing. Their faces were scarred from years living their life styles. Their skin was tanned from the constant warm weather. They were all well built men, large enough to make double my size each. The biggest one, in the green knocked me to the ground first. The next one laid his fury in a kick. My body curled into it's self, the pain burning across my torso. I waited for the next blow, but none followed. I cautiously looked up finding a hand offered to me. I gratefully took it. I was surprised to find Deoch and Stanchion standing by my side. The men had fled. I knew that was because of Deoch and I was pleased for his assistances. I had taken a few punches in my time but it didn't mean I got any more use to the abuse. My chest throbbed, as I pulled myself up straight.
"Kvothe, this isn't a safe place for you. Ambrose has a lot of money behind him and his hell bent on destroying you. I suggest you keep clear for a day or so. Go back across the river to the university." I nodded promising him I wouldn't be back tomorrow but after that I couldn't swear on.
"When are you going to grace us over at Eolian?"
"I don't think Anker would be to happy with me." I grinned. "But I hope to get there soon."
They grinned nodding their goodbyes. I collected my winnings heading back over the river. I had made a talent in one sitting. I couldn't believe my luck, ignoring the bruise forming across my torso.
Now the problem remained, still. How was I going to make another half a talent? I couldn't come back here any time soon, but what else could I do? What options did I have left?
I had to try my luck at the university, and hope I had a bit more luck there.
AN so it's only just a thousand words, I guess this is going to be a short one…sorry.
Please not the italics are directly from the book I didn't write them, just so you know….;P