So apparently I had a fuck up mid-story; I thought the capital was the name of the country, and the Capital was Brussels. Where the hell did I get Brussels? I don't know.
EDIT: This chapter was updated to fix a few plot holes that were pointed out to me by

Chapter four.

After a few days of peace and quiet, aside from the weekly detonations caused by the pint-sized one-person demolition crew which I am forced to clean up, I can say this place is too sleepy for my tastes and I am craving something interesting to happen.

Now, I should try to go home, but the thing is… This is an adventure I can't pass up, and who is to say I am the first Exandrian to arrive, I will need to help those here if they wish to leave, or at the very least go around on damage control that when my friends get here, they won't cause a war.

The De Rolo's already disliked me enough, if they thought I spread info about guns here they'd sick Percival Senior on me.

He may be in his golden years, but that fucker can still shoot a flea off a rats ass at the better part of a mile off. What a terrifying old man…

Eh, I don't give too much of a care.

Given that I was done with my typical evening duties I sat down with my back to a fountain and pulled out my lute. With a smile, I closed my eyes and began to strum a small instrumental melody to make sure my strings were properly tuned.

Satisfied with their sounds, I began to play a song but decided not to sing. It was a rather basic song and one I've played for years, and it's quite the classic.

I don't know how long I was there, but eventually, I closed my eyes and let myself focus solely on the music, and with it letting my sorrows that I haven't had yet to grieve release.

From an instrumental that seemed to be about adventure, it began growing somber and slowly became less of a ballad and more of a dirge.

A dirge meant to mourn the loss of my those I have lost in life, and to mourn the fact I was taken here, away from my daughter, so soon after I had finally found her again.

Eventually, I heard Siesta's voice rise above the sounds of my lute. He voice didn't match the rhythm of the song, which is what pulled me from my trance.

"Johnny?" She asked softly, and I smiled a reply.

"Siesta." I had already stopped playing so I set it down beside me. I patted the ground on the opposite side. "Care to take a seat with me?"

She paused for a moment and nodded. I took off my jacket and placed it so that she could sit on the padded lining as to not dirty her dress.

Even a pirate has to be respectful to women after all.

She nodded in thanks and sat beside me, and I smiled faintly, as I looked at the stars. "There beautiful, huh?" I asked her, staring upon constellations, of which I only knew the names of three.

"Yes, they are. I used to spend nights watching the stars with my family on my birthday." She said and I nodded.

"Did the same with my wife and daughter. Once a week or so we'd watch the stars until we all fell asleep. Given my little fish was a baby at the time, it was mostly just me and my sweet Elaine on the roof of our small home, staring at the stars." I said thinking about them.

"What are they like? Your family I mean." She asked softly and I couldn't help but smile.

"Well, I'll tell you about my sweet Elaine..." I smiled, as I pictured her emerald eyes and golden hair, smiling at me. "She was the kindest soul I have ever met. She was beautiful, graceful, though if I so much as looked at the sea too long, she'd start nagging me."

"Why would she do that? You're a sea-captain right?"

I nodded, slowly. "I am now, but wasn't when I met her, or when I married her." I said carefully.

"How did you meet her?" She asked me and I couldn't help but frown.

"I..." I thought for a moment about how much I should tell her but soon decided to go for it. "I was set adrift in a dingy with my mother and my ferret. We washed up on the coast near a city called Whitestone. I was dehydrated, and when I saw her I thought I was seeing an angel." I began with a soft smile. "She and her brother found us, and she nursed me back to health. My mother sadly had died before they found us."

I heard a gasp from Siesta and she took my hand, and I nodded. "Why..?" she asked, and I internally sighed as I was about to lie to her.

"We were on my father's merchant ship, and we got attacked by a Pirate. We escaped, but the ship was taken and appeared to be sunk soon after." It was practically a bold face lie, but I knew she believed it given her tears.

She didn't say anything else, but I decided to ask her about her own when she asked. "Whitestone...I've never heard of it. Where is it?" She asked, and I smiled.

"In a kingdom known as Tal'Dorei," I replied. "It's...a long ways away."

"Tal'Dorei...What a lovely sounding place, was Whitestone the capital?" She asked with a smile and I shook my head.

"No, that'd be Emon on the other end of the country. Whitestone was just one of the major cities. It specialized in selling this special Whitestone ore. Don't know what it was if I am being honest. I don't know if it was a precious metal or like iron, but it was the chief export. The mines were the primary source of work for the people there." I said as I thought back to the beautiful city that I called home for years.

"Where are you from?" I asked. I told her about my home, so I figured it was fair if I ask.

"I'm from a small town called Tarbes." She said with a small smile. "It's a low-end farming village, on the border of Gallia, though given it's placement it's in contested territory. My Great Grandfather says 'if Tristain is the land, and Gallia the sea, we are on a peninsula.' He says this because Gallia territory surrounds us on three sides."

Nodding at her explanation, I could see how that the metaphor is very accurate. "Oh? What's his name?" He asked and she shook her head.

"I...I don't know. He just always told me and my cousins to call him 'Papa'." She shook her head. "Anyway, It's a nice quiet town, I think you might enjoy seeing some day." She said with a smile.

I nodded a small bit. "Yeah maybe. I'll have to see if I can't convince the little brat to accompany me. Due to my...contract, I can't really leave the premises without her to accompany me."

"You mean the familiar contract?"

I stilled and glanced at her out of the corner of my eye, as Arthur came out of my jacket pocket and stared at her. "You knew?"

"Since the second day. All the Servants talking about. The other servants heard some of the details of how you appeared and can understand why you tried to hide it." She frowned a bit. "My Great-grandfather never liked being forcibly under another will. You agree also given how you tried to kill a professor." Her frown became teasing and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Got it in one. Never liked slavers, made sure to always attack them when I saw them. Regardless of who was on it. Never had to worry about someone ratting us out given once we took there slaves, and there supplies we'd make sure they were dead before scuttling their craft." I said with a nostalgic sigh.

"Shame that doesn't work here...Slavers didn't typically sling fireballs," Siesta said with a conspiratorial smile and a wink.

"I'd say watch your mouth...but I can't help but agree. From what I've seen here the nobles are foolish bastards. At least the De Rolos are good folk back home." He shook his head. Seeing her confused expression, I elaborated. "The De Rolos are the nobles of Whitestone. Percival Kowalski something or another De Rolo III and his wife Vex'alia and their pet bear Trinket."

She blinked owlishly. "A Bear? You're joking?" She said incredulously.

I grinned and shook my head. "Nope, even has a set of armor and she taught it how to curl up in a ball and roll." I laughed, and soon she joined me.

We would spend the next few hours reminiscing about our homes and we would eventually fall asleep on the grass a top my jacket with her curling up at my side, and Arthur across my chest.

I was awoken to find the sun was gleaming down on my face.

I blinked groggily as I sat up and looked around, and I saw Siesta was gone, I assume that she left to go to work before I woke.

As I got up and dusted my jacket off I noticed something on the ground beside where I had laid. I went to pick it up and noticed it was a piece of parchment with writing on it.

'Johnny, I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier but my contract was sold by osmund to the royal messenger Count Mott, However this isn't all bad. He is a good man and is paying me more wages then I was back at the academy. This means I can send more money back to my family. He is rather Lenient with his servants so this will be no Problem. I sincerely hope you forgive me for this Error of mine by not telling you. Sincerely, Siesta.'

I frowned as I read the letter over and over, knowing something felt off about it but I couldn't see anything obvious of trouble, so I folded it back up and put it in my pocket.

As I turned away to head back to the servants area to ask some more information about this, I noticed Louise slinking off in the directions of the stables, presumably to mount up and ride out to town. I didn't get sent to saddle a horse, and I haven't really spoken with her beyond 'clean my clothes' 'fetch my food and drink', 'don't go near Kirche' or 'Go away' in the past couple days.

I decided on my course of action.

After I made sure I was out of sight I used Prestidigitation to clean myself up a little I headed after her and said once I got beside her, lessening my stride to match her own and keep pace.

She noticed me and said. "Hello, Johnny." She said collectedly. I noted a faint glimmer of pity and fear in her eyes and tone. They were subtle, probably some unaware part of her that remembers the summoning, I'd wager.

"Hey, Short stuff, where ya headed? I don't remember being called up to get you a horse saddled up." I glanced towards the gates where the stables were just beyond. "If your leaving please take me with you, this place sucks horribly. Worse than Joren village."

Though for drastically different reasons.

One's a glorified prison, and the other was a vigilante run shit show.

She frowned, and her eyes conveyed bit more fear. How odd. "That a town from that… Tal'Dorei place?"

"Yep."

"I see… W-Would you like to accompany me then?" Was that a hint of trepidation? Just what's has her so spooked?

"If you don't mind. You noble types always need a porter. Where we headed?" I said as headed I headed inside the stables to saddle up a horse. After a quick selection, I took a paint mare and left a note:

Took horse with Pinky, will return when I do.- Johnny

Once I had joined her out of the stables Louise answered my question. "We are heading to the capital, Tristania." I nodded as I went about the actions of saddling the horse.

One of the perks of traveling on the land was you learn a lot of handy skills, such as horsemanship, saddling, and the like.

Sadly, I never took the time to learn those. Usually, Albion would take care of the horses and saddle them for us as he normally took the last watch when one was needed and felt it was more efficient that way.

I also forgot I didn't know how to saddle a horse.

I saddled it up as best I could and climbed into it I adjusted myself before it moved to the side and I brained myself on the ground as I ended up hanging upside down from the horse.

After suppressing a cry of pain, I carefully freed myself from the infernal contraption without spooking it, though I heard it snort I what I took as amusement followed by an actual giggle from the pink haired noble.

I turned towards her and snorted. "Yeah, laugh it up. I can't saddle a horse, enjoy the show." I gave her a grin to show I wasn't upset as I went and double checked my work, tightening the straps before remounting with much more success.

"Ah, there we are," I said once I mounted the horse and not hanging upside down.

Arthur, who was accompanying me as always in my jacket stuck his head out and I activated the ring when it was in my pocket.

"… So that's when I said, 'That isn't chocolate, Al!'" the ferret said, and the horse whinnied, though the magic lets me interpret it as a laugh.

While Arthur sounded like a particularly mischievous person, the horse sounded aristocratic and noble.

"Humans are so peculiar! Why would he eat that?" The mare asked the ferret, amused, and I decided to drop the spell and let them keep talking privately, glad Arthur was making friends.

"Well? Are you coming?" My summoner said with a tone hinting at frustration, the earlier hesitance seemed entirely gone.

Good.

"Yeah sorry, got thinking about an old friend I traveled with often. He was better with horses than I am, and I'm better with ships." I said with a nostalgic smile as I recalled a few times we traveled together.

"Oh? He must have been rather frustrated if he had to saddle your horse for you if that was a correct measure of your skill." She said with a haughty manner and snorted.

"Oh, you wouldn't believe it. He'd bitch and complain, saying how he wasn't a damn stable boy and shit like that, yet we never asked him too. Annoying as hell, but it's how he would start conversations in the morning. He never claimed to be a natural born speaker." I said as I spurred the horse onward and out the gates, Louise already having gotten moving.

"I see, was he a good friend?" She asked, and I shrugged A bit.

"He was a grumpy asshole most of the time I knew him, but he was one of my closest and bravest friends. Saved my ass more than I can count." I said. "But he had a bad habit of getting into fights he couldn't win, though. His 'bravery' was closer to stupidity in some cases." I remembered one fight where a giant kicked him into his would-be-wife and sent them into a snow drift.

Thankfully, Lilly put the frosty bastard down with a bolt through its eye from a hundred meters away before it could kill them.

"Oh really? Seems like more trouble then he's worth if he gets himself into trouble that much." Louise commented and I snickered, though I felt a pang of annoyance at her for her words even though I once claimed those very words as my own.

"I thought that way too once upon a time. Then he saved my ass." I replied, planning to end the conversation there.

"How did he aid you?" Louise asked quizzically, and I felt the urge to tell her, but I steeled myself as I saw flashes of events. Rending wood, deafening thunder, glowing golden eyes glinting confidently with a murderous light.

"Sorry kiddo, I'll tell you when you're taller." I teased as she went red in the face, from rage or embarrassment I didn't know but it sure was funny.

"Familiar! I will punish you if you say that again!" She shrieked as her pride was struck, and I just laughed.

Maybe I misjudged her… Maybe I could grow to see her as a friend. Eventually, as she is still a right bitch some times.

Meanwhile, a distance away watching us was a red-headed woman, followed by her smaller blue-haired companion, both on the back of a blue dragon.

"Seems they're going to town, Tabby...I think we should accompany them." She hummed, her chin resting on her hand as she stared out to the two riders.

"No. Dangerous," Tabitha spoke in her emotionless tone glancing up at the two riders, off in the distance. Her gaze narrowed fractionally before returning to her book as Kirche finally replied.

"Why? Sure, he beat Guiche and attacked us when he was summoned, but from what I've heard; she took him from his family, his little girl. Surely you can't blame him for that can you?" Tabitha glanced up at her friend and then noticed in the distance, a Carriage heading towards the school, one bearing the coat of arms of Tristain's capital.

"Fine. Observe only." She relented. Kirche squealed in joy and hugged her friend tightly, though released her when Tabitha began pinching her sides.

"Ow ow ow ow! Tabby stop I'll let you go!"

When Tabitha was released she whispered something to her familiar, who cooed in reply before taking high to the skies and following slow.

3 Three hours later.

We finally arrived at the capital and I had to say...what a letdown. This city had nothing on the cities like Vasselheim, Emon, or Marquet. The city had large whitewashed walls, and was surrounded by a forest, though the forest had been cut back by about two hundred yards, and as I had traveled I had noted watch posts every mile out for three miles.

It's not as well defended as other capital cities, Vasselheim currently is the most well defended I have seen, but It isn't shabby I'd say.

It wasn't hard for us to enter the city either, given that the pink haired girl was a noble with a very influential lineage, and she didn't hesitate to swing that flail around.

Apparently, her family was responsible for helping finance a group called 'The Musketeer Knights'. No clue who they are but if that got the guard to let them go past, then it must be important. I'll file it away for later use.

Through the main gates, we entered what's typical for a city of this stature. A single long road leading down what would be considered 'the king's way' lined with various shops. From the scent of loaves of bread and meat meeting us at the gate I could tell there were some bakeries, eateries, and I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few taverns and inns down the way.

I followed my pink haired kidnapper through the city, as she went about shopping. She stopped at a few different stores. One store I found particularly interesting was a jeweler's shop known as Storm's Watch, It was a jewelry store that also worked with clockwork mechanisms.

They had pocket watches for men, but also clockwork toys for noble children. I had picked up a toy soldier. It had a winding key in the back. I gave it a few twists and set it down as it began to jerkily march across the table.

"Very interesting isn't' it?" A voice asked and I looked over to the voice. It was the storekeeper. He had white balding hair, similar to Professor Colbert. He wore thin oil stained gloves and a think leather apron with tools. "Nobles always say Magic is the future but...This here produces the same result as a child earth mage." He explained watching.

"Yeah, it's amazing. I know of a man who would be fascinated by this." I said. "I've only met him and his family a few times, but they were not fans of me." The De Rolo's would have probably seen better, but given the worlds apparent lack of magi-clock work like Lord Darrington's automaton, he may be slightly amused at least, though this would be standard fare for a stereotypical rock gnome

"Oh really? Well, mayhaps if you buy him one of my clockworks you could get back into his good graces." He said and I snorted and as I was about to reply Louise politely called for me. By politely I mean shrieked.

"Servant! Stop playing with toys and carry my things!" I groaned as I caught the clockwork before it hit the floor as it marched off the table, and one it stopped moving set it back onto the table.

I nodded to the older man and turned back to her, and grimaced staring at the boxes she had. This was far from the first or last stop as far as I know. I was delegated to being her pack mule, so the prospect made me feel a sense of dread at the thought of all the things she may buy.

How she expected me to be able to carry that many boxes all the way back to the Academy was insane. It makes me tempted to shove them into the bag of holding and call it a done deal.

Sadly I can't as I already gave away the magic sword, more than one magical item could get me in deep shit. Hell, revealing my sword was already a terrible idea.

Without waiting I reached down to begin to carry her things, and soon I had the three boxes of clothes and now a purple wood case that probably held some jewelry.

"I already paid for what I have required. Now I require a beverage and a meal. We shall go to an Inn." At her command, I nodded in farewell to the store keep then left through the door. Upon returning to the street I looked around.

"So Pinkie," I noted that she seemed to bristle slightly at the name but soon relaxed. Still bugs her but doesn't make her yell anymore; progress. "What sort of inn are you looking for? White marble walls with only the fanciest and overpriced of wines and food? Or a place worth its money that won't cost you a hundred gol-" I paused and coughed to cover my slip of the tongue. "Sorry, cost you a hundred Ecu for a single glass of something?"

She was silent, probably contemplating about how stupid of a fa-

"Some place worth the money, if you don't mind."

What?

I stumbled a bit at the declaration. "Oh? Okay then." I nodded as I picked back up my stride. "You may need to hold your own things, while I ask around." I turned to look at her face, and her eyes were shut and an eye was twitching.

"Y-You..." She seethed, and I moved to explain before she started casting spells in public which is a bad thing anywhere given if I were to draw steel to defend I would be the one to be punished by the crown in this magi-cracy

"I need my arms free because people would more likely answer me if they believe I am merely a minstrel instead of some servant," I explained and she exhaled sharply, similarly to that of an angry pink haired bull.

"Fine! Now go find us a place to get into the shade and get drinks and a meal!" She demanded, but once she had said 'fine' I deposited the boxes in her arms and made my way away from her, with her following a ways behind me.

I began going around, acting like I knew where I was going, and I did, kind of. The more cost-effective inns are usually closer to a residential district in stories like this, that way they are closer to there typical patrons, the common man.

So I leisurely drifted among the cities tides as I kept an eye out for someone who would know a decent tavern, preferably where nobles and commoners were often both served.

Eventually, I came across a man who looked like a soldier was marching, and smiled a bit. The only type of person who knew where cities ale houses were, even half as well as sailors, were the guards. Mostly to stop fights usually, but I didn't doubt they also drank.

"My good man! Can you wait a moment so I can ask you something?" I said with a smile, laying on the charm. He paused and glanced my way quizzically.

"What'd ya want?" The guard asked rather annoyed, clearly, he wasn't happy. Probably not my fault. Probably being the keyword.

"I'm new to this beautiful city, and I was hoping you knew where I may find a decent tavern? Preferably not too seedy, but also one that won't empty my coin purse for a single draft." I said with a relaxed smile.

He seemed to growl a bit in annoyance, probably to do with being distracted from his job by a tourist. Guess it was my fault, whoops.."Yeah. I recommend the Charming Fairy Inn. Nice girls, good ale, accept anyone so long as they have the coin." He said, and I must have shown a look of displeasure, as he added. "It's not a brothel. While some probably have had offers by some of the clientele, the proprietor wouldn't force that onto his girls." I nodded a bit and smiled, this time making sure nothing but simple gratitude and passive happiness come through.

"Anyway, go up the Queen's Road, it should be on the right side. It's a three floored building with the base being stone, followed by wooden upper layers. Has a sign of a fairy with a flagon above the door." He informed helpfully, but not very enthusiastically.

"Ah, thank you, my good sir!" I said as I pulled out a few ecus and put them in his hand. "You are a god send. I haven't had a good drink in ages! If I see you there I'll buy you a round, farewell good man!" I said and turn away, and began going down the path, as I had turned off what I had once assumed was the king's way.

Louise stopped me when I got even with her again. "So? My feet are killing me, and if I have to spend another hour walking you'll be sorry!" She threatened annoyed and I barely stopped from rolling my eyes at the temper tantrum.

"Yep. Pigs trough, down on the edge of town. The slums to be precise." I lied blandly staring her straight in the eye, as she went red with anger I snickered.

"Kidding, calm down Pinkie. It's one on the Queen's road. The Charming Fairy Inn or something like that." I found it ever so amusing to mock her. Almost as fun as playing for a crowd.

Hey, I wonder if the owner would let me preform? I could earn a bit of money and have a bit of fun.

What should I preform? No shanties, too far from the coast. Perhaps a ballad or a sonnet? Hmm...

I was pulled from my musings as I felt a sharp pain in my shin and yelped. The little bitch kicked me!

"Don't ignore me when I am speaking to you!" She growled at me and I nodded as I hopped on one leg and rubbed my now scuffed boot and possibly bruised shin.

"Yeah, what ever you say. Can we go now?" I asked as I went from hopping on a foot to walking down the road once more, the pink midget presumably following me, as I headed back towards the Queen's way.

I felt Arthur stir, as he was getting a bit aggravated at being left in my jacket, so he scurried out, and went to rest on my shoulders, and I smiled and scratched his head a bit.

It was a short jaunt towards the Inn we were heading for. I stopped outside and looked it up and down, and gave a short whistle. "Charming." I punned, though it was also accurate.

The first floor appeared to be stacked stones, with places carved out for windows, which glowed with the light of candles from the inside. Looking up at higher the upper floors were slightly wider than the last, and had a wattle and daub style look to it on both floors above.

It was actually very pretty, prettier then of the ones in Emon.

Louise though, ever the spoiled little twit that she is, huffed and rolled her eyes. "It's not that grand. I guess for a peasant like you it would look very nice." She said as she shoved her boxes past me and waltzed inside and I shook my head and made my way inside.

The first thing I noted was the dresses the girls' outfits. They were shorter, stopping mid-thigh as a skirt then gong up to be a shoulder less and strapless dress.

Not very tactful, but it would be effective to get clientele.

There was one other, It was more like a normal dress comparatively to the dressed the others wore. The green one was much longer, stopping just above the knee, and had shoulders though it left a lot of cleavage visible. The girl wearing it had pitch black hair, and skin that was fairly pale, comparatively to the other people of this land.

Wonder if she's a family member of siesta?

I shook my head to get back on task. "Louise, you go find a place to sit, I'll get us some drinks." She nodded.

"I'll have a red wine."

"You'll have Apple Cider. I don't think a place like this would have red wine." I replied as I walked towards the bar, and I heard Louise's indignant squawk but paid it no heed.

Approaching the bar, the green dress was behind it and was pouring drinks. "Hello sir, Welcome to the charming fairy. I'm Jessica, how may I help you?" She asked politely with a smile.

"My name's Johnny, and can I get a flagon of Ale for me, and some apple cider, preferably non-alcoholic?" I asked giving a polite smile of my own to reply to hers. When I said my name I noted a spark of recognition.

"Johnny? Like Johnny Rodger?"

"In the flesh, I didn't realize I was so famous."

She laughed a bit and said. "My cousin, siesta, told me about you. You saved her." She smiled and handed me a pair of flagons once she poured the drinks into them. "I'll pay for your drinks tonight, as a thank you." She said and I nodded.

"Thank you. You wouldn't know if the owner was here would you?" I asked, and judging by the mischievous smile I figured she did.

"Yes. Would you like to speak to him? Usually, I handle the small things, but he does the books so unless it's an investment I can help." I nodded at her words. That made sense, I suppose. She should be able to help me with what I was gonna do then.

"Would you mind if I performed? While I was a sailor for most of my life before I was a Captain I kept my self and the vessel entertained with music." I informed. "I could perform, and give a share of my tips to the Inn as payment for letting me work."

She thought about it, probably wondering if I was blowing hot air, or being legit. It was a rather decent thing to wonder given I look more like a warrior than a minstrel.

"Fine, I guess, but if you are terrible I have the right to stop you." She warned, with a small well-meaning smile.

Success!

"Thank you kindly miss. Truly you are a saint." She smirked a bit, a similar look to one I have gotten from Kirche before, and I held back a shudder.

"Anything, for 'Our Sword.'" She teased and she moved to help another and I sighed.

I went to carry the drinks to the table, dropping the Cider in front of a fuming Louise who took it without a word and took a drink.

"This...This will suffice." She said and I nodded as I took a drink from my ale. It was a nice room temperature, maybe a bit on the colder side of room temperature, but it still tasted good.

I took another drink and set it down before Louise spoke. "So, what did you talk to her about?" She demanded calmly.

I raised a brow, at her tone, but answered as I felt there was nothing to hide. "She knew me from her cousin, Siesta," I informed, her as I cracked my neck and shoulders. "She thanked me for saving her cousin, gave us free drinks, that sort of thing.

Oh, and she gave me permission to perform if I so wished." I added as a side note, as I freed my lute from my back. "Which I Intend to take her up on." I stood and after a brief look around looking for someplace to perform, and I saw that there was a small stage.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Cause I said so." Was her response to me.

"Not good enough. Nor can you stop me." I glared at her and she went red, but given this was a public venue she wisely kept from screaming.

"You are my servant and my familiar. I am your master and lady. You will obey me." She said and I snorted again and made my way to the stage.

"You can punish me if you want by taking the pay the academy pays me," Not that I've gotten a lot of it cause you're a little bitch who bitches when I so much as speak to a woman so you punish me by taking my pay... " But I'm performing. I enjoy performing for people who aren't arrogant little shits like your classmates." I said quietly as I moved towards the stage.

I got on there, and some people noticed me and began murmuring but not a lot. Normally I'd introduce my self but I decided against it this time, moving straight to the music. Cause

I started off playing the same song that I had practiced last night before my exchange with Siesta. It was a soft, and sweet song, as I began the song off, vocally, though I could tell I already had them enraptured.

"May your lover, ever be true. May your cup, never run dry..." I sang as I felt my self, sing and play off of memory, perfected after years of performing this song which left my mind to wander as I performed.

I thought of my old crew from when I grew up as a pirate, to the days of a fishermen fishing off the coast of Whitestone, to the days I traveled hollowly consumed with a burning rage and a drowning guilt and grief, to the friends I found when I was lost and how they helped me return to how I once was. How we fought together, drank together, and sang together when we were all suitably drunk.

Followed soon by the memories of those gone. Of my father and the crew who I grew up with, and among others.

"Until we meet again, upon the ocean swell. Until we meet again, good fortune and fare thee well." The words of the final verse left my lips, and I knew they were enthralled by my song as people stood and began clapping there hands, noble and commoner alike.

Louise refused to though and glared at me defiantly, as people came and placed coins into a mug that I guess one of the girls set there.

I stood and bowed dramatically. "Thank you, thank you! Remember, this is Johnny Rodger, and I was more than happy to entertain you fine gents and ladies." I said giving A wink towards Jessica, who went a bit flush but shook her head in exasperation.

Louise's though was the reaction I thoroughly enjoyed watching. Her face turned a hellish red, like my hair actually, and delivered a glare that practically screamed she'd set me up on a date with an Erinyes if she could.

It was so adorable, thinking her little glares could scare me.

As I went to leave I heard some cheering for more, so I obliged them.

I would spend the next few hours performing, taking a short break in the middle to finish my flagon of ale before I continued.

Sometime after the third song she stormed out in a huff and a puff, probably to leave the city but I didn't care. The contract didn't say I had to return with her, so I decided to make a day out of performing and earn me some pocket change.

By the time I had stopped playing, I had earned more than a pretty penny's worth of coin, a rough count had it up to thirty ecus, and a number of lesser coins that I believe totaled up to a grand total of forty Ecu as profit after I gave a quarter to the inn.

I enjoyed it, and I finally stopped when it was twilight and I knew I couldn't spend the time heading back so I spent some gold on a room, for a discount since my performance had gotten the place packed.

Now I sat in my room petting Arthur with the doors shut, and the window, which was thankfully just wooden blinds shut as well.

The room was simple. It had a bed, a small vanity with a mirror as well as a chair and the aforementioned window.

I stood in front of the mirror baring my runes to see them clearly for the first time.

ᛗᛁᛟᛞᚫᛁᛏᚾᛁᚱ

After I had stared at them for a time, I drew my sword and touched the runes. "Identify." I intoned and I felt it burn, as the knowledge, formed in my mind, and I paled.

The Runes translate to mean the Mind of God and grant the familiar bestowed upon them the ability to perform magic that other's deem impossible and to be able to use any number of magical items without having to attune.

While it was strong, the following part made me pale. The runic branding was created by Brimir and placed on to one of his disciples, whose mind still resides within the runes, as well as slow acting compulsion to slowly force the wearer to form a bond with there master, whether it be romantic or friendship the runes don't care.

As soon as it was in my mind and I reviewed it repeatedly, I proceeded to try my strongest spells to remove it. Nothing worked and all I get is a burning migraine that forces me to drop the blade and stumble back to my bed. The room began to spin, as the pain had built up more and more above my eyes and soon the world smeared like a wet canvas and soon I was afloat in the black.

I awoke as a pitcher of water was dumped onto my face.

"The hell!?" I yelled as I sat up, and crashed my forehead into my attacker's head which made them yelp in pain and fall backward onto there ass. It sounded female, but my eyes were too filled with starts from the collision to see them so I made my way off the bed, and stumbled shaking my head.

"J-Johnny ow!" The voice said and I recognized it vaguely.

"Jessica?" I groaned as I rubbed my aching forehead. "What is it?" I moaned and she shook her head.

"I know what you did to that bastard that attacked Siesta." She said and I nodded.

"Yeah, you told me..." I said confused. "You woke me just for that? Seriously, I outta demand my money bac-"

Clink

I paused as I saw her hand me a bag of coins and she stared into my eyes. "Take it, if you promise to do me a favor." She said, eyes icy cold, and for a moment, her hand upon my own felt cold and clammy, like a corpse.

From the wait, there was at least a hundred gold which was not a small amount. I raised a brow and when she spoke, I felt the hatred and venom leave her tongue and lips like it was dragon fire.

"Save my cousin and kill Count Mott before he forces her to become his mistress."