A tale of song, swords, and flowers

Chapter 9

The Clearwater inn and tavern was, much to Florian's delight, full to bursting with boisterous patrons eager for song. He couldn't dance around like usual thanks to his still smarting ankle, but walking around wasn't that much of a hardship and no one seemed to mind as the hard soled boot on his good foot pounded out a rhythm against the worn floorboards. Before long others were carrying the beat and Florian set fingers to dancing across his loot strings.

"Oh summer days they do delight
Grab my girl and dance tonight
Round and round, to and fro
The fire flies put on a flickering show
Oh see that lass she's just the best,
Skipping by my side in a homespun dress..."

As he had expected, the majority of the townsfolk recognized the opening of The cheerful wedding song, more enthusiastic of the crowd jumping up to move tables out of the way, creating a clear Space for dancing. Couples young and old were grabbing each other by the hands, smiling, laughing, and reminding Florian of the reasons he had chosen his less than easy profession.

Without warning the high-pitched trill of a flute joined the softer cadence of his loot, causing Florian's smile to grow even brighter. His eyes searched the room for the source without breaking stride, settling on a slender man sitting alone at a table by the door. He was pale unlike the majority of the men in The village who's skin was dark and weatherbeaten from a Life spent working the fields. Curious Florian maneuvered his way carefully through the crowd, still playing and singing away. Upon finishing a handful of songs, some of which the mysterious flute player joined in on, Florian dropped into the chair beside him with a sigh.

"I dare say you play well stranger!" Florian chuckled, smacking the man on the shoulder good-naturedly.

The man flinched as if surprised, flute slipping from his grasp and rolling toward the edge of the table. He attempted without success to grab for it, leaving Florian to rescue the instrument before it could be introduced to the dusty floor below.

"My apologies good fellow!" Florian murmured, holding out the instrument. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"Oh please! Don't bother yourself on my accountt."The man replied, hands cautiously gliding their way over the table top. "do you perhaps see my flute? I didn't hear it fall."

" I have it here!" Florian twirled the instrument with nimble fingers. " can't you see it?"

Only then did Florian finally catch sight of the large stick propped up against the back of the man's chair and the way in which his striking hazel eyes seemed to not be able to focus on anything in particular.

Cursing quietly, Florian felt a blush burn its way across his cheeks. "You're blind and I am a bloody idiot!"

The man graced Florian with a tiny smile. "Yes to the first statement and no to the second, you play too well to be that much of a Stonebrain."

Florian laughed, depositing the flute into the man's outstretched Hand. "Why thank you kindly, as I said before you are quite skilled yourself."

It was the man's turn to blush and shift awkwardly. "Thank you, My name is Kellin by the way."

Hesitantly he extended the hand not holding his precious instrument, which Florian grasped and shook firmly.

"Florian, but my stage name is pansy, at your service."

Kellin laughed, "well that's different! What brings you to Clearwater village?"

" i'm looking for someone and I'm hoping he passed through here. I don't suppose you've heard of a knight puttering about The area? He's pretty hard to miss with his fair hair, Green eyes, and an irritating pension for escaping with an unfinished tail that I am determined to wrangle!"