The Dancer

Making a quick decision, Saga walked over to them, tipping her hat at the man seated in the front. He was an older man she though she'd seen around the Academy once or twice, with an old guitar laid across his lap. These had gained recent prominence among stringed instruments, though they'd been around for a long time. The other Bards had an assortment of flutes, drums, a few stringed instruments, and even a brass horn.

"Good day to you all," Saga gave the guitarist her best smile. "How's the take today?"

The man grunted, but smiled, massaging his hands between songs. "Well enough, but it could be better. Is that a dancing saber on your belt?"

She turned to show off more of her weapon and instrument. "It is. I'm..." she clamped her mouth shut before telling her she was on her trial. That would probably be too much information to share. "I'm on my way to Dove's Landing, hunting a song." She copied the phrase Master Dorrin had used earlier, wondering if it meant anything special.

The guitarist nodded. "You got your pass? We'd welcome a dancer to bring us more coin." She showed the man the coin she'd received from her mentor, and he nodded again. "Alright, then." He paused, then looked her up and down. "I don't suppose you can sing, too?"

"I think it's best for everyone involved if I don't."

The man laughed loudly, clapping his knee. "That's as well-put a denial as I've ever heard. Alright, alright. Do you have a song you'd prefer?"

She thought about it for a moment, then shook her head. "I'll leave it to you. I can pick up the song as we go."

With that settled, the guitarist flexed his fingers, picked up his instrument, and began to play. The other Bards joined in after only a few notes, blending in so seamlessly that, if she didn't know better, she'd have thought this was a traveling troupe. Most Bards travelled alone, though, and that was why each Bard practiced multiple instruments for variety, but when two or more Bards did happen to meet, they tended to draw a crowd.

She drew her sword as the band played, a jaunty, lively song that was meant for dancing, and the crowd quickly cleared a space for her in front of the makeshift orchestra. When the song hit a good starting point, Saga began to dance.

Saga had been practicing her blade dance for the better part of eight years. Almost every free moment she had a practice saber in her hand, and later on the real thing. She learned how each dancer had their own unique style of dance, and Master Dorrin helped her discover hers. Over time, she became skilled enough to begin dancing to almost any beat, without rehearsal, and her ability to improvise had been honed to be as sharp as her saber.

She fell immediately into that familiar mindset as she stepped forward, flourishing her blade to give their audience a taste of what was to come. Then, she began in earnest.

Her saber spun around her in flowing arcs and quick twists, her hands never seeming to hold it for more than half a second as she danced with it. It seemed to have a mind of its own, and onlookers would almost think it was her dance partner rather than just a prop or weapon.

In a way, it was. She'd forged this saber herself after Master Dorrin had given her permission to switch to training with a live blade. Her father had welcomed her back into the forge with open arms, and had even assisted her with its design. It was a relatively simple piece, resembling a rapier with a slightly curved blade and a decorative guard that left her room to grab it from any angle. The entire weapon was done in silver, except for a dark red grip.

Radiant Thorn, as she'd named it, was an excellent dance partner. The sunlight reflecting off of its blade gave the saber an almost ethereal appearance as they moved together. The band had almost immediately adjusted to her tempo, following her rather than leading, and the watching crowd began to grow as passersby were struck by the sight.

She swayed as she moved, using a slightly different style than when she danced in combat. This was the freedom of movement and rhythm without having to respond to an attacker, and the feeling always made her heart soar. She closed her eyes, trusting the audience to maintain a safe distance, and lost herself in the motions. A spin, a flourish, a toss and a catch, never once losing her momentum.

Saga lost herself in the dance, as she always did. When she was danced, she wasn't the Craftking's daughter, she wasn't a drake, she was just Saga, and she reveled in that. As the song wound down, she gave one last spin, sword in hand, and gave the audience a sweeping bow. Her cheeks were flushed and her heart was racing, but she felt more alive now than ever.

The gathered crowd was applauding, to her surprise. She knew she was a good dancer on an academic level, but this was her first time performing for an audience that wasn't friends and family, and some small part of her was surprised at the crowd's reaction. She found herself smiling brightly, though she was glad that the wide brim of her hat covered her blushing cheeks while her head was bowed.

"Another?" The guitarist asked. His voice was pitched low, and she could barely hear him over the cheers of the surrounding crowd.

She shot a sidelong glance at the bucket slowly filling with coin after the most performance, then nodded her agreement. The guitarist's eyes glinted as he nodded back. "Let's try something with a little more life in it."

Before she could protest, he'd murmured instructions to the band and begun playing. As promised, this song had a faster tempo to it, and she felt her heartbeat speeding up to match the pace. She shook her head, grinned, and joined in.

Saga performed one more song after that second one, then sat down and drew her flute to join the band while one of the drummers, a red-haired woman in a dark green tuning and riding skirt, stood to sing the next song. The next hour or so continued in this way, with Saga going back and forth between dancing and playing her flute to rest her legs. It wasn't until someone rang a lunch bell that the gathered musicians finally took a break.

"You did good, girl. How long ago did you graduate?" The guitarist handed her her share of the earnings, a decent handful of silvers and coppers, and even a gold. This would keep her fed for her trip, at least.

She accepted the coins gratefully from the man and gave him her best smile, remembering Master Dorrin's words. "Recently. I hope my performance didn't hold you all back."

"No, no." The man shook his head. "You're an excellent dancer, and your flute work ain't half bad either. Do you play anything else?"

Saga shrugged. "Drums, mostly. I can play some strings as well, mostly the harp, but I can pick my way around a lute or guitar. Blade dancing is my Passion, though."

His nod was solemn. "It shows." He stuck his hand out to her as he finally introduced himself. "The name's Amos. What do we call you?"

She smiled and accepted the hand, shaking it firmly. "Saga Rose. A pleasure to meet you, Amos."

"And you, Miss Rose."

"Just Saga's fine, really."

"Alright, Saga. Do you have plans for dinner?" He hooked a thumb over his shoulder, and she spotted several of the band members going to the same tent with a cookfire burning out front.

Dinner? She only just now realized the sun had set, the light of various torches, lanterns, and a few Redlights keeping the area well-lit. How long had she been dancing?

She almost turned him down so she could get back to her mission, but her stomach's grumbled protests made up her mind for her. "I don't, no. Was going to wander the stalls and snag something there."

He offered his hand again, and she let him help her to her feet from her spot in the dirt. "You can join us, then. We've got a pot going, and there's plenty to go around." With that, he led her over to the tent where the other bards had gathered and made introductions.

Among the group she recognized the red-haired singer, a woman named Gemma, and another flutist named Herb who'd been sitting next to Saga when she played her flute and had helped lead her into some unexpected changes to the songs. The other gathered bards included a horn player named Tuck, another drummer named Copel, and a brother-sister duo consisting of Pell the horn player and Nell the fiddler, both of whom were apparently first platinums by their bright, antler-like horns. Saga gathered from the introductions that while most of the musicians they'd been playing with were independent traveling Bards who'd joined in to make some coin, these seven were a core group who stayed more or less permanently at the Crossroads.

Saga introduced herself and Dapper to them using her new alias, and was pleased to realize all of them took her identity at face value, as far as she could tell. She wasn't sure when she'd fully bought into her Master's whole "secret identity" idea, but she had to admit it was exciting. She could craft a whole new persona, become someone who wasn't bound by the constraints of her family name and her heritage.

This is the first step. This is how I become a hero.

She realized with a start that someone was talking to her, and she looked up to see Gemma handing her a bowl of seasoned vegetables. She only now noticed the copper horns poking out from the woman’s hair, resembling jagged lines. "Oh, thank you!" Saga said, offering her a smile.

"Don't thank me, kid, you earned this one." Gemma gave her a wink. "You'll have to pay for the second bowl, though."

“Kid? You can’t be much older than me.” Saga had already taken a bite, and she gave the cookpot a longing glance. "...I may have to take you up on that second bowl, though."

The other woman laughed, a tinkling sound that made Saga want to laugh along. “You’re still new to this, I can tell. Everyone’s a ‘kid’ when they’re first setting out. Don’t worry, you’ll outgrow it soon enough.”

Saga grunted noncommittally. Was it that obvious? She’d probably only make it worse by arguing. Instead, she took another bite of the food and savored it. The vegetables were coated in just the right amount of seasoning, giving them a savory taste that wasn't overly salty. She noted they appeared to have been steamed in some form of broth, which probably helped the flavor. She preferred meat when possible, but this dish was too good not to enjoy.

"Where's mine, Gem?" Copel grinned. The bald man was holding out both hands expectantly, and Gemma snorted in response.

"Saga here's a guest. You can get your own, it's three feet in front of you."

The group laughed, including Copel himself, who helped himself to a bowl. "Ain't that a kick."

"So Saga, what brings you to the Crossroads?" Nell already had two empty bowls sitting in front of her - Saga idly wondered where the tiny girl put all that food - and was scooping a third.

"I'm on my way to Dove's Landing, hunting a song." That phrase was getting easier to say the more she said it, like reciting a proverb. She finished her bowl and eyed the pot.

"What kind of song? Is singing your Passion? But you didn't sing with us! Can you sing as well as Gemma? You should sing together!"

"I, er...I think it's best for everyone involved if I don't sing. My Passion is blade dancing, like you saw."

"Oh, okay. So why are you hunting a song in Dove's Landing? There's nothing there but trees, trees, and more trees. It's so boriiiiing." She drew out the last word as she threw her head back, and Saga couldn't help but smile at the girl's energy.

"Heard there were bandits that way," Tuck said, frowning. "I hope you're not traveling alone, or at least that your sword isn't just for dancing."

"Ooooh, bandits?" Nell jumped back into the conversation before Saga could press him for details. "That sounds exciting! Too bad Pell here isn't a fighter, we could go kick their-"

"As I was saying, it's dangerous to go alone." Tuck rolled his eyes as he cut off the exuberant girl. "You should hire a guide or adventurer to go with you. This is a big camp, it shouldn't be too hard to find someone affordable if it's money you're worried about."

"I'll be fine, I have a traveling companion." Saga smiled at the worried man. "Do you know anything about the bandits, though? Just in case?"

His frown deepened. "That's the weird thing. They're definitely bandits from what I've heard, rough men using force to get what they want, but they aren't killing or kidnapping anyone. They're just blocking the roads going to Dove's Landing. I've heard some stories of them taking valuables from the people they turn away as 'payment', though. Something about keeping the roads safe.

Saga frowned. It sounds like a protection racket, but surely people would have noticed by now if they were stealing from everyone. If the thefts are the exception rather than the rule, then that means the bandits are just trying to keep people away from Dove's Landing without drawing a lot of attention for some reason. Still...

"I'll keep that in mind. If they're not killing on sight, maybe my companion and I can reason with them." She nodded her thanks to Tuck, but before she could return to eating, Nell's piped up once more.

"But why Dove's Landing? Besides this bandit stuff, there's nothing to do there."

Saga hesitated as she finished her food, though she had the presence of mind to act like she was just considering a second helping. She hadn't considered any details beyond what she'd heard Master Dorrin say. What did she do now?

"Now Nell, each Bard's journey is their own. Isn't that right, Saga?" Gemma's voice cut through Saga's racing thoughts, and she relaxed slightly.

"Right. I'm still new to this, so I'm mostly heading there to see what there is to see. After that, I'll probably pick a new village and head there." She handed some coins to Gemma's outstretched hand, who passed them over her shoulder to the burly man busying himself in the group's large tent. The cook, Saga guessed. As she scooped a second bowl, Nell continued.

"New to the road? That's interesting! I remember my first trip. That's not hard though, it was only a year or two back. Pell remembers, right, Pell?"

Her brother grunted, picking at his bowl. He wasn't even halfway through his first helping. They were apparently fraternal twins, with matching dark hair, but their personalities couldn't be further apart. Saga noted Pell sort of reminded her of Epic, but even less prone to conversation.

"Don't mind Nell," Copel chimed in. "She's got the energy of someone twice her size, like her brother, and only half the sense."

"Rude!" Nell flicked a piece of carrot at the drummer, who leaned over to catch it in his mouth and then grinned.

Saga watched everyone interact, noting that Amos and Herb were speaking in low voices over a sheet of paper. She thought she could see musical notation on it. Discussing the next songs, maybe? Writing a new one? She mentally shrugged and went back to enjoying her food, but it wasn't long before she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Could you come with me for a moment?" It was Gemma. Her smile was neutral, but her eyes made it seem like she'd just heard a joke and was trying to hold it in. "I need to ask you something, in private."

Saga nodded and stood, bringing her bowl with her as she followed Gemma into relative privacy behind the band's tent.