No normal tale

Odd one out

Silence dominated the field, Swift tongue Joe's audience staring at him with big eyes. It was Mergrol, one of the actors in the group of troupers, that broke the tension. "And?" He asked, his long blond hair tied back. The actor eyed Joe with curiosity. "And that's all for tonight. Tomorrow night I will continue." The storyteller said with a dry tone.

"What?" Mary, the blacksmiths' wife exclaimed.

"End it here? I can't wait for another day to hear what will happen."

"Shut up Thompson, you're just a kid anyways, patience comes with age." "You're only two years older than me Edmar. You shut up!"

Joe raised an eyebrow at the sight of the boys, his eyes twinkling with amusement. It was Cort, the Mayor, who pulled the two apart, flashing an apological smile towards the old man. "Please excuse them Swift tongue, they are boys and still have to learn a thing or two about how to control themselves." The last sentence sounded tight, meant for the boys.

"It's alright, I understand they are eager for the rest of the story, but I am but an old man and do not have the lifelines of these two lads anymore. I need my sleep." Both Edmar and Thompson cast their eyes down, realising they had been rather rude. Swift tongue smiled and nodded at them. "But I am glad to see the story is so well received." Looking up, the boys smiled back, relieved the storyteller did not seem mad.

"Mergrol." The actor looked up, his green eyes watching Joe as the old man gestured for the young man to help him down from the platform. Sitting in the chair for the time he had, had taken its toll on his back. It was at times like these that Joe realised the limits of himself, and was confronted with his aging physical state. Once he had been able to talk for hours and hours, and not just a part of one. Then again, it was the first night after traveling for many, and he had been up and about all day. Tomorrow, after a good night sleep, he would be able to go on for a lot longer.

Mergrol gallantly walked over to Swift tongue, placing his hand into the old mans' and one behind his back to support him back onto the ground. "Thank you, boy." Smiling politely the blond actor bowed deeply, getting a rebuking snort from Alane, a tall slender woman with whom he played lovers in the theatre piece they were preforming this year. "Keep the gushy acting for tomorrow Mergrol." She said dryly. Shooting a glare at her, Mergrol received one back immediately. "There, there...Keep the love quarrels for tomorrow will you?" Joe Junior stepped in between the two youngsters and grinned wide. Mergrol and Alane started to object, but Joe Junior his smile faded as soon as they opened their mouths. "Let's clear the fire and get some rest." Both swallowed their pride, to then slowly trod off together to get some sand to extinguish the fire with later tonight.

The villagers thanked the troupers and took their leave for the night. Slowly but surely the field started getting emptier, most troupers off to bed and some remaining at the bonfire for one last cup of cheap brandy. Soon Mergrol and Alane joined them, the sand ready for when the last of them left as well.

"How come you have never told this story before father?" The leader of the troupers looked at his father with a curious gaze. He was thirty-five years of age, and in all those years the storyteller had not once mentioned the story of Simon the thief. As far as he could remember at least.

Swift tongue laughed softly. An odd sight since he had covered himself in a big woollen blanket, and all that was visible of the man were his thin wrinkled hands sticking out that held the little cup of cheap brandy. "Because my teacher made me promise to only tell this story when I knew the time was right. And tonight was that night."