OUTWORLD: Chronicles

The Lutist's Tale

Etude's fingers danced languidly across the strings of her waxwood lute, playing a slow lament. A loud, rhythmic clanging noise reached her ears from nearby, and she let it flow into her song, using it to build the tempo. The lament went from sad to playful, building into a faster piece, and she vocalised along with it. Etude could bark and howl as loudly as any other Dog, but she liked to keep her voice low and soft, adding an almost subsonic growl from her throat. The wild melody slowed with the growl, and she finished with a small flourish.

Opening her eyes, Etude surveyed her surroundings, taking in the market square in which she sat. The clanging had come from the nearby smithy, which was belching smoke and sparks; around it were gathered several heavily-built individuals; mostly Foxes, although there were a few Dogs and Cats in the mix. They were mercenaries, no doubt, most likely in town for alterations and repairs to their plates. Since Lady Milena had declared war on King Tohar in the Far Provinces, this town had become a rest stop for opportunists seeking immortality on the battlefield. The conflict had attracted other parties, as well – great airships had descended from the skies, carrying warriors in strange grey-and-orange armour. Marines, Etude had heard others call them; Core Republic Marines. She didn't even know what or where the Core Republic was, but its soldiers carried massive, fast-firing rifles that were far beyond the flintlocks used by Milena's brigands. They were seldomly seen, though they apparently had a base nearby.

Etude sighed and glanced down at the basket at her feet; none of them were interested in her, although somebody had liked her performance enough that they had dropped a quarter-round of cheese in there, along with the portions of bread she had scored already.

No coin, though.

She licked her muzzle, plucking idly at her lute's strings, providing something ambient until her inspiration surged back. Her breath emerged in thin clouds; it was getting colder as the winter months began to roll in, and she felt her paws begin to go numb. She changed it up a little, keeping her fingers moving. Across the square, one of the stallholders was roasting a hog on a spit, and the scent reached her nose, making her maw water.

But without coin, she knew, smelling it was all she'd be doing.

Etude looked toward the tavern, her ears leading her gaze as they picked up raucous singing and the clanking of tankards. Her maw became dry as she found herself yearning for the taste of ale.

No coin, no ale.

She surrendered to hunger, snarfing down one of the bits of bread and taking a hefty bite from the cheese. Less for the owner of her lodgings to take from her, though she had an uneasy feeling that he wouldn't be accepting meagre offerings of food for much longer. Etude snugged the collar of her tunic closer to her neck, contemplating her options. She had slept under a tree before, though she had hoped those days were over – and the thought was decidedly unappealing in this weather. Her leggings and leather boots kept nothing out.

She marshalled her despair and began to play again, choosing a gentle ballad to lift her spirits. She vocalised again, venting some of her frustrations as she hummed and ululated. "Oh-eh-oh, oh-eh-oh, oh-eh-uh-uh-oh."

As she closed her eyes, losing herself in her music, Etude's ears were suddenly aquiver once more. More clanging and scraping, though not from the smithy. She opened her eyes and followed the sound; several of the orange-suited soldiers were wheeling something into the square. It looked like a cart, though this one was forged from metal, and made a whirring noise as it moved. Atop the cart was a large boxy object, and it was bucking and shaking, testing the restraints that held it in place. Roars were issuing from within.

Overcome by curiosity, Etude got to her feet and moved in for a closer look. The sides of the box – the cage – were dark and tinted, but still see-through, and they gave her a good look at what was inside.

One of the soldiers, a male Fox, was shouting at the others. "Don't get it, guv," he was saying. "We've pumped enough sedative into this thing to kill it!"

"And if it ain't sedated," another Marine, this one a female Cat, mewled, "we aren't getting any samples from it!"

The soldier they had been addressing sighed. "Well, we're not throwing it back," the Badger growled. "It took us long enough just to lure it into the carrier!"

Etude surveyed the creature. It had a dark-furred, flowing body, with rows of glowing orange eyes above its muzzle. Huge webbed paws thrashed against the sides of the cage.

It was an emberlash, an aquatic beast that lurked along the shorelines of lakes and rivers. Etude had once had the misfortune of encountering one while washing her clothes in the river at the edge of town; luckily, however, she knew its weakness, and she knew how to exploit it.

Her fingers went to her lute, and she began to stroke the strings gently, playing a soft, soothing melody, adding her voice, singing a wordless song that promised warmth and comfort. She moved in closer, seeing the soldiers staring at her with disbelieving looks on their muzzles. The noises from the cage were slowing, ebbing, and as she brought the music to its conclusion, she saw that the emberlash had curled up as much as it could in the tiny space, its eyes closed.

"Woah," the Fox breathed, stepping towards her. "That was incredible."

"How did you know to do that?" the Cat yowled.

Etude smiled toothily. "Many beast traders frequent this market. When you listen to them, you learn."

The Badger laughed. "Well, we owe ya, love," he grinned. "I think a little recompense is in order. How about a square meal? You look a bit underfed."

Etude giggled, feeling suddenly timid. "Well..."

"Money, surely," the Cat put in.

The Fox moved closer; his nostrils flared, and he stepped backwards. "Or a toothbrush?"

Etude shot him a withering look, nonetheless considering their offers. "Well, there is one thing I would like first."

The Badger nodded. "Sure, sure, love. We can come back to the other stuff."

Etude glanced at the tavern before once more regarding the Marines. "A drink," she said. "Would you accompany me?"

"I dunno, guv," the Fox said to his superior. "We gotta get this thing on the shuttle, get it to the science team."

The Badger nodded. "Yeah." He looked to Etude. "We, uh, gotta go, love."

Etude nodded. "Yes, I know." She sighed, and began to leave.

"Oh, and this is for you," the Badger said, sliding a paw into one of the pouches on his vest. "We took this off one of Milena's lot." He took something out and threw it to her. "Thanks again."

As they left, Etude studied the drawstring bag, prising it open at the top – and catching the telltale glint of gold from inside.

Coin.

Etude laughed and bounced it in her palm, enjoying the rattle of metal. Coin, at long last. She hitched the lute to her back and strode toward the tavern.

Today hadn't turned out so bad, after all.