Hey everyone! It's been a bit longer than I would have liked due to finals, but now it's time to play some Alice Cooper. Horrible jokes aside, here is chapter three! As always, happy reading!

Format changes:

Internal thoughts will be in bold to better distinguish it from dialogue.


Chapter 3: A Minstrel's Life for Me

As most people know, dreams are a peculiar thing. They can take you anywhere in the past, present, or future. They can be pleasant, thrilling, or downright horrifying, and this particular dream, well, explaining it normally would be impossible. So imagine yourself in a situation where it would more pleasant for Death to hold you in his sweet embrace. Or is it she? I'm going to play it safe and say 'it'. That's right, Death's an it, I regret nothing. Anywho, that's what it feels like in this dream. What's going on you ask? Oh, I'll tell you.

I was having coffee with Fiora. And she was being nice. I'm not talking about her forcing herself to be nice. I'm talking the kind of nice that someone who's actually enjoying your company expresses. She laughed, she smiled, and it was all good and well until the glass box that was blocking out my common sense was shattered.

I went silent, and suddenly she looked concerned. "Are you alright, Arthur?...You look like you've seen a ghost…."

'No, I've seen something worse.'

Oh, and this wasn't the type of sarcastic concern you express when you hear that your worst enemy has a broken arm. There was nothing fake about it. It was genuine concern, complete with hand touching. I tried to jerk myself awake, but my brain shut that door right quick. I decided to just sit there, frozen. Fiora kept looking me over, and her face grew more and more alarmed, jerking her hand away from me. I shifted my gaze down towards my hand, which seemed as heavy as a...stone hand.

I was turning into stone. I couldn't move. 'Why can't I move? It's getting closer, and it's not stopping. You need to move or you'll just become another pigeon litter box…'

When it spread across my chest, the windows in the coffee shop Fiora and I were in shattered, and in came more than your standard murder of crows. They flooded in, landing everywhere, and as if by command, they turned and stared at me. They twitched and cawed, as if plotting something or jeering at me. Fiora was gone, deleted from the dream as easily as a bad spam email. The biggest crow of them all landed on my stone hand, its eyes cutting right through me. It started to twitch, and twitch, and then it fell onto its back. Its body cracked, melding into itself and changing shape.

'¡Eso es el trabajo del diablo!' I tried to frantically wake up as my surroundings faded away. I still couldn't move, and everything around me was pitch black. After another few moments, a light shone on the spot where the crow was morphing. In its place was a sort of wooden masquerade mask stylized into what I could only assume was the face of a crow. Even though it looked like a crow, there were no feathers, and the inside was lined with some sort of gray fabric.

'Yeah, no screw this...wake me up!...I want out!...'

The spotlight shut off some seconds after that, and my eyes opened up to the real world. I sat up quickly and looked around. 'It's not too dark out there….must mean it's close to dawn….' I yawned and wiped the crust from my eyes. 'Certainly not going back to sleep after that fiasco…' I got up and stretched, putting on my clothes from yesterday. 'Gonna have to change into my new clothes once we get into Demacia City….these are gonna be too dirty….Might also need to shave when I get there'

I then checked myself to see if I smelled bad, and it didn't take me long to figure out the obvious.

'…Scratch that...I'll do it before we head out….'

I go through the procedure of cracking what joints I can. Knuckles, neck, back, shoulders, toes, you name it, I crack it. One of the servants was walking passed the room and evidently heard me, and she knocked on the door asking if I was alright. I saw an opportunity to strike, and took it. I told her through the door that I had a daily ritual of breaking my limbs in order to pay penance to the Blood God. She ran, I laughed, and the morning started to improve.

Not surprisingly, the main hall of the inn was devoid of anyone besides the servants. They went about their early morning duties, but other than that, the inn was quiet. I took advantage of this and sat down at one of the tables to recover from the nightmare. Besides the obvious crow-stone-hand sequence of events, the dream was scary because Fiora wasn't acting like herself at all. Of course, I've only met her twice, and there may be a decent person under the prickly exterior. Still, I consider myself a good judge of character, and much of her lore can back me up on the fact that she wouldn't think of me in a romantic light for a multitude of reasons. Also, from what I can gather, Fiora is the exception in a primarily patriarchal society. She sees marriage as someone having control over her. Not only that, she probably gets ridiculed on a daily basis by everyone who has the guts to. It would put stress on anyone's plate.

'Wait, why the Hell am I thinking about it this hard?...I thought I left overthinking behind in high school….Or it decided to wait to present itself when I needed it the least…Damn you, brain…'

A few passing workers asked if I needed anything, such as an early breakfast, but I politely declined. Because of school, I sort of forgot about breakfast as a meal. I valued sleep over the most important meal of the day, though I suppose that's a bit ironic considering I'm up before dawn.

"Oh, crap….I had my Music Theory Final today...I completely forgot!...oh...wait…."

'...This is gonna take some getting used to…'

A few more minutes passed and I eventually gave into the offer of a meal. Again, I don't usually eat breakfast, but if college taught me anything, it's that food is king. The breakfast might have been servant quality, but it was better than ramen. Everything was better than ramen at this point. It wasn't blood that ran through my veins in my first year of college, it was ramen broth. I will most likely regret that in thirty years, but hey, a guy's gotta eat.

By the time I finished my meal, the sun was rising, and I decided to see if my order from the tailor was ready. I told someone where I was going, and I left for the town square. Even though it was a bit confusing to navigate the streets, I still got there in a reasonable amount of time.

'This is a neat little town...I'll have to come back someday…'

Funnily enough, I actually caught the tailor unlocking his store for the day. "Good morning sir..." What I didn't realize is that I had snuck up on him, because he jumped when I greeted him. His keys jingled as they hit the ground, and he turned to me, sighing.

"R-right on time, boy….I was afraid you'd forgotten…." He adjusted his glasses and began to reach for his keys, however, I beat him to it. Instead of earning a thank you or a smile, I earned a scowl. "I don't need your charity boy, I can get my own keys…."

"Think of it as an apology for making you jump…"

His face seemed to lighten. "I suppose that's reasonable given you nearly made me jump out of my trousers….speaking of which...let me fetch the trunk..." He strode away, coming back with a medium sized chest-looking container. It was plain, made of wood, and trimmed with a bronze colored material. He also came out with what could be described as a type of hooded overcoat. He handed it to me, explaining that it was made of grompskin, which was able to regulate the body heat coming from the wearer. This essentially allowed the owner to wear it year round without getting too hot in the summers or too cold in the winters.

"You shouldn't have that problem unless you go to the Shuriman desert or the Freljord..…you aren't planning on going there with my merchandise I hope?..."

"Not at all….extreme temperatures and me don't work well sir…."

"That's a good boy….you take care of my work, you hear?..."

I stood at attention and gave him a salute. "Aye aye…."

He shook his head and waved me off, and I took my new clothes back to the inn. Everyone was packing up at this point, and I could see Fiora, Ammdar, and Mauren talking with someone near the lead carriage. I couldn't quite see who they were, but judging by their figure, I was pretty sure it was a woman.

I was a bit curious at what was going down, but I didn't think it concerned me, so, I carried all my stuff inside without a second thought. I took one set of clothes out of the trunk, appreciating the make for a moment. "This stuff's really made well….it's actually similar to the stuff back home, besides the slacks….wait….only a few are actually slacks….What in th-...they feel similar to cargo pants….and here's some t-shirts….I guess...I'll have to save these for a getaway day….lucky ass guess Mr. Tailor…you are high on my list of people now…."

After getting one of my 'casual' outfits together, casual being a vest suit, I headed for the tub. And since everyone important was probably outside, I used the tub that only the important people were supposed to use. Not that I didn't want to use the servants' bathroom, I just couldn't find the damn thing. While I was cleaning myself, I hummed a few songs, just to take my mind off things like home, my new life, and if I would ever get back.

Unfortunately for me, as I was getting dressed, there was a knock on the door. On the bright side, it was Mauren. "You know, boy, if anyone else caught you here, you'd likely be flogged…."

"Jesus Christ man, you scared the crap outta me…."

"Hurry up, we leave in five minutes….Any longer and it'll be a finger..."

'I make my livelihood with these, easy on the chopping….'

"I'll be there in three…." I quickly put on my clothes and stuffed the dirty ones inside the trunk before taking it all outside. Mauren directed me to the trunk of the carriage, and after loading in my trunk and my guitar I saw a piece of the nightmare take shape. A wooden masquerade mask stared back at me. It was made of wood with a black lacquer covering most of it, with the shape reminiscent of a raven or a crow. I stood there frozen for a good thirty seconds before taking it out and examining it. It was certainly well made, but there was no way to attach it to my face. No strap, no nothing.

"That's a special mask you have there, boy….haven't seen one of them in a long time….I'm quite jealous…."

"What kind of mask is it?..."

"You mean you don't know what kind of mask that is?...You're running around with a shrouding mask….it's a kind of mask that makes sure that no one will know who you are unless they know you have the mask or see you put it on….you're not a thief are you, boy?..." He looked down at me then pointed to the floral sigil on the vest I was wearing. "You're part of that now, remember that….family or not, you're expected to be honorable, even if you are a smart aleck…"

"Mauren, what reason would I have to rob you….you've got nothing I really want, plus you'd have the scariest woman in Demacia coming for my balls if you did...and not in a good way…"

"That's fair enough, but did you have to say it like that?..."

"I definitely did, I wouldn't doubt that she's the type of person to castrate me before killing me…."

"Just get in the carriage, boy….Demacia city is half a day's journey from here...and keep that mask hidden unless you're using it…." I nodded in agreement and got into the carriage.

After maybe twenty minutes, Mauren looked up from the book he was reading. "Say, you're playing for the festival, right?...The Prince's wedding?..."

"Shouldn't that be a job for someone like, I don't know, the Demacian Trans Siberian Orchestra?...Also, Jarvan's getting married?..."

"Yes, His Majesty is getting married to someone….they won't tell anyone except the heads of the noble houses…."

"Huh…." 'Well...there are a few candidates...either way a lot of people are going to be mad…'

"Anyways, boy….they're having a musical competition to see who gets to play at their wedding...the winner also gains a bit of prestige and an honorary title…"

"What kind of title?..."

"The person who wins gains a small property in High Silvermere and is granted minor nobility for themselves and their family….they'd be a Minor House until such a time when one of the Elder Houses dies out or is deemed unworthy…"

"That doesn't sound too shabby..."

"You don't think you'll win do you?...I hear Sona Buvelle is entering as well…you'd be daft if you think you'll beat her…."

"I'll never know if I don't try, eh?..."

"If you lose, it'll hang over you...it'll follow you everywhere you go…"

"And?...If I lose to Sona, I'll be in the same club as everyone else that isn't as good as her, and if she's at the top, second best isn't too bad…"

"I thought you said you wanted to beat her...now you're saying you're alright with losing?..."

"A loss here won't be permanent...so why take it seriously?..."

Mauren shook his head. "You're weird, boy…where you came from must've had some weird people…."

"There's weird people everywhere Mauren, you just have to look…"

"Hm…that make sense...I think…but back to the competition, you really think you can make it that far?..."

"I don't know how far I can make it…..but I'll sing and play and all that jazz until I'm kicked out….for now...I'm gonna nap…"

"Suit yourself….We'll be arriving at the mansion soon….afterwards, I will take you to where you will enter the festival competition…and you better do damn well…"

"I'll do my best, Mauren….but you have to do me a favor…."

"And that is?..."

"Don't tell Fiora I'm entering with the mask, I don't want her knowing it's me performing…"

"That's a bit underhanded, don't you think?..."

"Yes, yes it is…."

"But wouldn't you want to win her approval, just to be on good terms?..."

"I don't believe her pride will let her approve of me...I just have to be someone else...and behind this mask, I could be anyone, from the lowest scum of the earth to the King of a faraway land…"

"So if she doesn't know who you are, she can't disapprove if you prove your worth is what you're implying…"

"Exactly my friend…"

"That's not a bad way to go about it…but there's a risk…."

"We just talked about risks…."

"So we did boy…." He sighed and turned away.

I kept quiet for a few minutes after that, but soon I had something gnawing at my brain again. "Mauren, you said we were heading to the Laurent mansion, so where are you coming from?..."

"Just a summer home of sorts….we stay there from time to time when Fiora wishes it….and only a portion of the family comes along..."

"Huh….One more question…."

"Make it count, boy, I have a book to read…."

"Who was the person you were talking to this morning?..."

"One Sona Buvelle….the person you're going to be competing against…"

"Of course it was…."

"What the devil is the matter with you, boy?..."

"Nothing Mauren…just thoughts…"

"Thoughts can weigh more than mountains if you're not careful…."

"No doubt….I think I'll take that nap now….wake me up if something important happens…."

"Will do, boy…."

And with that, I closed my eyes. Before I knew it I was being shaken awake by Mauren. "Get up, you lazy brat…we're here…."

I raised myself up and yawned. "Oh boy, are we at the funhouse already?..."

"Funhouse?...Boy, if the Laurent Mansion was a brothel, it would be exceptionally unpopular…you know why?..."

"Why?..."

"Because the person running the place wouldn't let you leave alive..."

"Fair point…"

He shook his head. "You will be staying in the minstrel's quarters….and since you're the only one in our service, you'll have the big room all to yourself…"

"Sweet…"

"Unfortunately for you, it's right across from Fiora's room…."

"Not sweet…why the Hell is that a thing?..."

"Because you'll be her personal musician…"

"I thought I was your personal musician…"

"Well, not anymore...you're going to be singing her to sleep from now on like you did the first night you were here…but I warn y-..."

I cut him off there. "You're gonna say that if I try anything funny that I'll die, right?...Like I would...I don't feel suicidal…"

'Or insane…'

"Just making sure, boy...people have tried…"

"And none of them learned that Fiora's about as willing to like someone as I am to eat glass?...Not sure if that's scary or hilarious…."

Before I could stand up to get out of the carriage, Mauren put his hand on my shoulder. "Listen Arthur, do me a favor and try to get along with her...I know you'll probably tear each other to pieces, but try and get on her good side before resorting to that, alright?..."

"I'll try my best, just know I'm not very good with people, and don't expect me to treat her nicely if I get the cold shoulder…."

"Thank you…"

With that, I got up and left the coach, and before me stood my friendly neighborhood Laurent Mansion. I was pretty sure it should have been named Laurent Palace, because the size of the thing was ridiculous. Statues of what I assumed to be guards stood watch over the walkway leading up to the doors, which were painted white and inlaid with gold floral designs that surrounded the sigil in the center. The building itself stretched for a football field in either direction, and who knows how far it went back. It was square with round towers at each end, and three rows of windows spanned the front of it. Combine all that with the intricate architecture, and you've got a palace more fit for royalty than a noble house.

'I wonder if they have a hot tub...'

I went to unpack my things, but servants were already doing it for me. "Uhh….you don't have to…"

One of the servants looked over at me with a face that screamed 'Don't say another word.'

"Nonsense, Lady Fiora's orders…"

'Oh god damnit….'

"Please let me carry my ow-..." My statement was interrupted by booming laughter, courtesy of Mauren. "Did you tell her to do this?..."

"In a way...since you're going to be her player now, I told her that she might as well try to be friendlier…"

I sighed. "That's fair, I guess…wait…are you trying to set us up?..."

"You think I'd try and set up a peasant like you with my niece?...That's an insult to the family name itself!...One mo-"

"Alright! Alright!...Calm down…"

'…Probably shouldn't call him out on things anymore…'

"Just get to your room, boy…and curb that mouth of yours before I sew it shut myself….and don't jump to conclusions like that either...both will get you killed here..." He stomped off, clearly irritated at my remarks. I thought I heard him whispering to himself too, but I decided it wasn't worth it.

'Yeah...I think I'll follow that advice….can't sing with a sewn mouth…'

I followed the two servants to my room, and sure enough, it was right across from the Honorable Lady Laurent.

'Long may she reign….wait...she's not a queen….eh, close enough…'

It didn't seem like she was around, so I went into my room and unpacked my trunk. The room was a little bigger than a standard hotel room, and pretty plain. A lot of the furniture was wood and had floral symbols carved into it.

'Man they like their flowers….I know it's their seal, but this is a bit much even for that…'

After I unpacked everything, I decided to practice on my guitar for a bit. I jumped from riff to riff just trying to nail down a few complicated sequences. I even tried a few solos from songs like Stairway to Heaven and Hotel California. After getting through those, I decided to just relax and queue up.

'Oh wait….my computer is in the other world...riiight….I wonder if they have a library here then….'

As I opened the door, I found someone standing in my way. I looked down and saw two blue eyes staring right back. Both of us jumped back a step or two and then I recognized who it was.

'Why is the support in top lane?!...'


Thanks for reading! Chapter Four will be out within the next week, give or take a day or two. Until then, have a nice day/night wherever you may be.