"City ho! I think that may be the capital!"
Zilo ran below deck to alert Alaroc and Cruxis while Maldrek Stays the course. The group amasses on deck and looks at the city.
It is without a doubt the largest city Zilo has seen in his time in the plane, it forms along the river with giant arches over-top the wide river forming bridges with enough way for passing ships. To both sides of the river are ports with ships tied on to staunch the flow of the river.
The outskirts seem to be where people live and past those many small farms and borders can be seen with towers overlooking the roads into the city. Toward the river front in the center of the city in another ring looks to be a great many shops and plazas along with parks and other emptier districts that seem to be set up to accommodate new growing businesses.
Toward the back of the city is a giant majestic castle, belonging to King Deneval. While the others take in the sites, Maldrek sails his ship up into an empty port position.
The group looks to Maldrek who walks to the glyph in the center and waves his hands about, manipulating the ropes and ties on the ship to secure it to the port, and finally releasing the gangplank to the dock.
"You really are getting good at that Maldrek." Says Cruxis as he pats the wizard on the back.
"Once the Ship was found to be necrotic, it was simple to learn it's use." Responds the wizard.
The group waltzes onto the port and is greeted by a bespectacled woman with a piece of parchment and a quill.
"Greetings, and welcome to Deneval, we like to keep things running smoothly here and so I'll need you all to pay the docking fee for your ship for the day, its only 5 copper per day."
Maldrek steps up and says,"Actually we hoped to get a bit more of a permanent arrangement going, can we purchase a reserved space in the port so we can come and go?"
The woman looks to her parchment and says, "Its not unheard of, if you'd like you can come speak with my boss about it, but I'll still need the first day for right now."
Maldrek looks to may and says, "May, go with her and see about getting us a reserved spot in port, meet Zilo in the closest plaza to check in about it later."
The group raises their eyebrows looking at Maldrek before May says, "What do you have planned Maldrek, I thought we were going to move on after a pit stop here."
"We will, but I thought of a much more economic way for us to travel, just trust me, for now just go with the girl."
May shrugs and gives the girl 5 copper before both of them walk to a nearby building. Maldrek then looks at Alaroc and Cruxis and says, "Boys, I need you both to come with me to see a man, I need the toughest of us there to give me a powerful presence. That way I have a better position to bargain."
Zilo looks toward Maldrek expectantly.
"Zilo, I need you to head to the nearest plaza, and announce our presence, gather attention, and May and I should be there shortly, but until then, give these out to the crowd." Maldrek hands Zilo a stack of parchment with a drawing of a staff and a sword as well as some writing.
Swords and Sorcery Inc.
You Pay'em We Slay'em
Followed by a basic scroll for the spell Message.
"Swords and Sorcery Inc.?" Asked Zilo.
"A project I've been wanting to start up since my first visit to the capital, and now I have the means for it. Go get to work." With that Maldrek, Cruxis, and Alaroc wander away.
Zilo walks to a large open area with merchants selling their wears in stalls and people walking to all areas. There also happens to be a small park nearby where a small group of children are at play. Zilo spots another bard playing a lute.
The bard is a young woman with brunette long hair and a piercing light blue gaze, as well as a somber smile. Her out fit flows voluminously, expanding out from her hips into a windy laced dress. Her lute looks handcrafted and worn with aged.
Her tunes are extremely upbeat and a few townsfolk look to be dancing along to her tones. Zilo has never heard such a joyous tune, but he is intrigued... by the music, mostly, the woman is surely beautiful, but her music isn't like any Zilo has ever heard, mostly because the Shadow Plane was not filled with any joyous tones.
Zilo walks to a large open area with merchants selling their wears in stalls and people walking to all areas. There also happens to be a small park nearby where a small group of children are at play. Zilo spots another bard playing a lute.
The bard is a young woman with brunette long hair and a piercing light blue gaze, as well as a somber smile. Her out fit flows voluminously, expanding out from her hips into a windy laced dress. Her lute looks handcrafted and worn with aged.
Her tunes are extremely upbeat and a few townsfolk look to be dancing along to her tones. Zilo has never heard such a joyous tune, but he is intrigued... by the music, mostly, the woman is surely beautiful, but her music isn't like any Zilo has ever heard, mostly because the Shadow Plane was not filled with any joyous tones.
Zilo flicks out his violin and stumbles over a few chords at first, but after about a minute, he is freestyle mimicking the woman's tones, and harmonizing with her. The woman now gives notice to Zilo, as she twirls and stops down on her heels with the tones, increasing her intensity.
Zilo jump kicks up and lands shoulder forward smiling at the woman while holding together his melodies.
The woman and Zilo step forward and to the right before side stepping to the left past each other and then jumping back to back, all the while keeping the music flowing.
They both spin about each other with their backs touching before suddenly both leap away spinning and catching ground staring each other down. The music is suddenly building into the finale.
The two march up to each other playing their instruments rapidly with their eyes locked before Zilo hoists his bo to the air and the woman lets her strumming hand fly up as well. Both breath heavily as they slowly turn to see that most everyone in the plaza has put an end to their daily duties to give them attention.
As the silence plays out, suddenly a loud cry of applause. They begin throwing silver and copper, even a gold or two at the feet of the two performers.
Zilo takes advantage of this opportunity and throws the fliers into the air and he shouts.
"My skills stretch beyond music ladies and gents, find Swords and Sorcery Inc if you should ever need a problem solved!"
After a minute or so the crowd takes away nearly every flier. The ground around Zilo and the woman shines with all of the coins and the crowd disperses.
Zilo suddenly gets a poke on the shoulder and the woman stands there with her arms crossed. She speaks with a much more delicate tone than May, but still plenty of edge to it.
"Well, since you invaded my performance you may as well take your half then get out."
Zilo shakes his head then looks back to her.
"I didn't do it for money, I wanted to give out fliers and learn those melodies you used, you can take the money. Consider it my payment for the lesson."
Zilo smiles and the woman looks at him in shock. The venom in her voice is replaced with curiosity.
"You're... not a normal musician are you?"
"I'm no musician madam, I'm a bard."
"Really... What's your name pal?" She says while rubbing her chin.
"Zilo Realms, the Master of Strings." Says Zilo with a flick of his arm and a flourish into a bow.
"Well Zilo, I happen to know more music, if you would be interested in learning more."
Zilo's eyes light up and says, "I would love that! When can you show me?"
"I gotta go for a bit, but what do you think about tomorrow, here, about midday?"
"I think I can make that."
"See you then." Says the woman as she waves goodbye after gathering up the coins on the ground.
Zilo sits down to wait for May but then he springs back up and shouts, "Wait, I never caught your name!"
The woman turns back and says, "Aria! Aria Zal, See you tomorrow, Zilo."
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