The Warden | A For Honor Fanfiction

A Blessing

A Blessing
Playing beside another musician was always a treat, especially for a particularly large crowd. A second set of hands or another voice would almost always have far more impact and could reach far greater heights than one by itself could. As luck would have it, Herongale had a practitioner of the flute, better yet, she was good at it, very good. The growing crowd of twenty or so people only reinforced this as we played an upbeat folk song telling of a grand rebellion in the moonlight. It was a bit on the nose considering the current situation, and knowing the final outcome of said rebellion made it somewhat ominous, but it was a fun song to play, so I wouldn't complain.

I couldn't help myself from smiling and looking around at the snow capped surroundings around me. From my co-performer, an aged, but still beautiful woman of dark skin with hair that almost seemed a perfect mix of silver and black, to the clapping and dancing people of Herongale singing along to the words. Even Liam and the Conqueror had taken a moment to watch the performance, which I'll admit I was particularly proud of. All too often those two seemed too busy to partake in anything fun, seeing them actually take a second to enjoy something was nice. All in all, this was shaping up to be one of my best performances.

Things slowed down a bit as we came to the bridge of the song. My partner gently played her part as though playing an in memoriam piece, and I followed suit. I found myself closing my eyes and picturing those close to me I'd left or lost along the way here. My close friend who'd taken me in, bless her soul, a kindly innkeeper who'd given me free lodging because I couldn't pay, and of course, daddy. It was a solemn moment for me, seeing those friendly faces flash in the darkness, only to fade back into the emptiness. I wondered if it was wrong to think about them here, they weren't soldiers or warlords, like the song was trying to honor. Honestly though, I didn't care. They mattered to me, and that was what counted here.

"By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon..." I sang as the song slowly ramped back up in tone. My partner actually went silent here, gently bobbing her head along as she gave center stage to me and my singing. I smiled to myself as I gently plucked at the strings of my lute, soft melodies carrying through the hamlet as the audience stood enraptured by my work, I could even see the Conqueror swaying slowly back and forth to the tune. Not Liam, though, he was staring right at me, lost in his own head, no doubt. Maybe it's selfish, but I was more than happy to leave him there, I even gave him a little wink to do just that. I could have sworn I saw the Conqueror give him a playful nudge.

Beat by beat the song  picked back up, and I began tapping my foot along with the beat. Before long, the crowd had gotten my message, and began clapping and singing along as my partner bobbed her head up and down with a smile, flicking her hair back over her shoulder as she readied herself. Now we were back in the swing of things, whoops and hollers ringing out as the flute rejoined the tune, jubilation erupting from the crowd. I sang the chorus one final time, our playing reaching a near fever pitch amidst the clapping and singing.

I sang one last chorus before whoops and hollers replaced any form of lyrics, and I went for it. I strummed like there was no tomorrow, each set punctuated by a sting of notes from my partner. The two of us glanced at each other, I could see her smile even over the flute, and I knew she could see mine. We were having the time of our lives, and it was time to bring it home. With a final flourish, I struck the final chords of the song, leaving her to finish with a string of quick, beautiful notes, holding on the last for a few seconds before holding the flute up like a trophy.

Cheers erupted as my partner made her way towards me and extended a hand. It took a bit of effort, but she managed to help me to my feet and held my free hand aloft as we basked in the praise. I lead us in a bow before she pulled me in and gave me a big hug, which I'll admit caught me off guard. Still, I managed to laugh it off and swing my free hand around her, using the other to hold my lute.