Private Tales A Song For Your Sorrows

[James Lanvarok]

Seated in the corner of a tavern, James shoveled beef stew into his mouth, washing every spoonful down with a gulp of ale. The road had been unforgiving and sentries from Vel Anir had been following him at every turn. Breathing in, he released a heavy sigh and rested his cheek on his fist, chewing quietly on the bits of beef as a bard played the lute in the corner. A weight pulled down on his chest, dropping into his stomach and making it cramp. Brow creased, he held back and stuffed his face to relieve the disappointment of his plight. He had failed his father, and couldn't imagine the shame he had to go through explaining how his son had abandoned the academy because he was too weak to withstand the trials.

James huffed. He looked at his reflection in the diamond shaped panes of the window. He was unimpressive, unflattering, short and overweight, a joke to anybody he stood up to.

The strumming of the bard's lute reached his ears, calming him somewhat as he finished his stew. Picking up the bowl, he lifted it to his mouth and shoveled in the last few scraps, then set it down. He took a long gulp of ale, belched and wiped his face on his sleeve. He was filthy and needed a bath and a shave. Stroking his chin, he felt the layer of burgeoning stubble that was growing. He shoved his bowl aside and turned around, to be met with the features of the bard.

She was beautiful, like a timeless doll set in porcelain. James' eyes widened to the size of stars. Icy blue and crystalline, they were particularly unsettling when he stared, but he couldn't help it. The petite young woman playing the lute was stunning, unlike any lady he had seen on his travels.

Maybe he was just smitten.

James swallowed a gulp. Picking up his horn, he downed the remainder of his ale and turned around on his chair. His eyes locked with those of the woman, and he sheepishly looked away. He rushed to his cheeks and he suddenly became tense. Bottom lip hanging open, he creased his brow and stared at the floor, his heart beating like the wings of a bird caught in a net.

 

[Odessa]

Dessy, had felt like playing her hand made lute this evening, oh she’d sing but that would be later, and it seemed this crowd needed some calming music, well calming as it gets. She had been asked to play here twice and today was no different, it seemed many liked her ability, but she had a sneaking suspicion it wasn’t just her talents that got her the job offer.

Though like always she was asked to play at night and she just couldn’t do it, for well, personal reasons. As her fingers danced with the lovely strings of her tool to make merry, those baby blues caught sight of a loner sitting in that dark corner scowling over his food as he took bites.

He was deep in a dark thought, well it looked that way, as his brow’s furrowed and his eyes seemed to be filled with dullness. It was delicious in a writer’s aspect like her, he was easily a muse for her tales, she had many and that didn’t mean she wouldn’t be unkind to his character no, he’d be her unexpected hero.

The idea was tantalizing as she continued to move her slender fingers up and down the shaft of the lute. Dessy, played more in hopes to ease that large weight on his shoulders, looking away she nodded her head toward a young woman to the side enjoying her tune and then to another of the crowd before her eyes drifted toward the fellow in the corner who caught her eyes.

He blushed, and looked away quickly, those red lips curled into a smile while as she studied him very closely. Ah, it was obvious why he blushed, and it didn’t bother her at all, it was a compliment. Yes, she wasn’t unpleasant to look at, but it did get a bit tiresome but then again it was useful, though to her, no person was truly unpleasant to look at.

Example take the fellow in the corner, he wasn’t what most would go for, but there was something and she was sure a kind heart was deep under that many layers of dirt and grime. She decided it was time to sing.

As she ended her song, the way she started the next was seamless as she began to sing. The voice that came from this creature matched her beauty as the air welcomed the tune with open arms and began to dance into open ears of the establishment.

The song was about a young man who by mistake gotten lost in a forest and came upon a nymph who was tasked in protecting it. The two though they were much different found they complimented each other and soon a great love bloomed.

Of course, but like all thing’s tragic creeps in, and it appeared in the form of the young man’s betrothal to the merchant’s daughter, whom went looking for him. The nymph whom was clearly heart broken, and wanted to be with the young man, and knew he’d stay with her, that it wasn’t fair to the mortal as both were of course different.

She, decided to sacrifice heart and place a enchantment on the young man to forget her and the time they spent together and made it seem like a dream, and in exchange to doing this, not only would she burdened with this memory forever, she would be transformed into a beautiful tree, unable to walk the forest in which loved for all eternity.

Dessy, sang softly of if you find yourself within the forest and you come upon a tree that is beautiful and yet old, be kind and sit upon the roots and enjoy the shade from one that loved like no other. The song continued as her strings vibrated within her touch and soon the last note flowed within the air.

A roar of clapping filled the air and some coins were tossed at her feet as Dessy opened her arms wide, left hand holding the lute, a deep bow before straightening herself back up, those eyes once more looked back to the young fellow in the corner curiously.

 

[James Lanvarok]

Slowly, James pulled his weary face away from the table and stared at the pretty, young bard. Enamored by her song, he sat with his hand around his pint of ale and listened to her sing. He was so distracted, he hadn't noticed himself blushing, and quickly looked away as her eyes locked with his. The delicate plucks of her strings filled the tavern, tugging on his heart and setting apace like the wings of a dove. He gripped his ale, turned around and lifted to his mouth.

He took a long gulp, swallowed and rested his cheek on his fist as the girl began to sing. Her voice was soaring and pure, like that of an angel, perfectly timed with the notes of her lute. Although his back was turned, James heard every word, and it resonated with him on a personal level.

The story of a young man, lost to the troubles of the world and at war with his own mind, traveled through the woods and fell for a forest nymph. He smirked to himself. Was the young bard his forest nymph? Had she put that bit in just for him? He doubted it, he was just relating to the song because he was sad and desperate for some form of comfort, something that told him that somebody understood.

The bard sang of how the young man was betrothed to a merchant's daughter. Now that part James could not relate to. No merchant would ever want him to marry his daughter.

The nymph, heartbroken, placed an enchantment on the young man to make him to make him forget the time he had spent with her. It was sad, and James found himself creasing his brow as he thought about the lyrics of the song. If he had really been with the forest nymph, he would have left the merchant's daughter for her. He would never break her heart.

The young woman sang the final verse, of how the nymph left him behind in her memories, only to be transformed into a tree, unable to walk, and bound to the forest which she called home.

It was a very sad song.

A pang of sorrow tugged at James' heart. Brow creased, he downed the remainder of his ale and turned around, to see the young woman bowing as she finished her song.

Along with the other guests in the tavern, he clapped dutifully, having appreciated the woman's beautiful voice and lyrical brilliance. A smile crept onto his lips, an uncharacteristic smile, shot her way with a flash of his crystalline, blue eyes. Heat rushed to his cheeks and they tinted red, his entire body tensing up as he recalled the pristine notes of her song. Breathing in, James avoided her gaze and turned around, burying his face in the shadow of the table.

He wanted to tell the girl what he thought of her music, but was too shy to approach her. His mood was still low from the letter he had received from his father, so he didn't want to bother her with his troubles.

As much as he would have loved to share her company.

 

[Odessa]

She watched the young man turn and clap then looking back to the table, it was obvious of his nature and so, she decided to make friends. Dessy, would be gentle, picking up the treasure that rested at her feet, scooping it up and placing it in her bag.

She’d place a few coins to tip the maidens working the establishment and soon she was making her way toward the fellow. The way he looked, it was obvious that some sort of cloud loomed above his head and soon she’d fix that.


It wasn’t as if she didn’t herself have a cloud, but being whom she was, she was an expert to all things dark and grey. The thought peeked in, what if he didn’t want her help, hmm that did happen but then again those little blushes of his, said something different.

She plopped down, in a chair right in front of him.

“Oof! Boy my feet are killing me, no more shoes with wooden sides, Ouch.” Her voice soft and sweet like honey teased as she gently pretended to rub her feet, as she looked back to the fellow.

“Hope you don’t mind, me resting here, I’ll move if you have company, but this chair seemed so inviting and well, couldn’t resist.” She winked watching him closely. She pondered his story as her warm expressions stayed on that porcelain face.

 

[James Lanvarok]

James listened to the other patrons in the tavern clap as the young bard picked up her coins. Back turned, he nestled into his chair and focused on his ale. A shadow loomed over the table and his eyes shifted. Pulling himself around, he looked up to see the young bard standing above him. His heart leaped into his throat. Astonished, he swallowed a gulp and opened his mouth to speak, but only a scoff came out.

The young woman plonked herself down. She exclaimed, in a sweet, honeyed voice about her sore feet and James couldn't help himself but smile.

His ale firmly in his hand, he looked down so she wouldn't see him blushing and laughed. He tensed up, his heart accelerating in pace as he watched her rub her feet. He had no idea what to say. He was still miserable from the letter he had received from his father and didn't want to press his troubles on her, but had nothing else to talk about.

And she looked so cute fussing about her feet.

She asked if he had company and James shook his head. "No, I don't have any company," he said, a hint of regret in his tone.

The girl winked at him. Was she flirting? He had no idea. The ends of his mouth turned down and he breathed in, then released a heavy sigh. Raising his pint to his mouth, he took a long, much needed sip of ale, then set it down and wiped his face on his sleeve.

"I uh..." He muttered. "I really liked your song, it was beautiful," he said sincerely, a rare, uncharacteristic smile creeping onto his face.

"You're very talented," he beamed.

 

[Odessa]

Once more her lips turned into an amazing smile, as she watched at how awkward he was and it was adorable, he wasn’t good at this, and it was alright.

It was her goal to help this, after all she needed a lot of information to make him apart of one of her stories. The bright sparkle in her eyes as he stated that there was no company made them look like star’s in the sky.

A pout would grace those lush lips.

“Well, that’s shocking, but that’s better for me.” She placed her hands gently on the table along with her arms as she turned to make sure that he knew he had all her attention.

“Thank you, its one of my favorites.” She tilted her head to the side, that long white hair fell about her face.

“So, first things first.” She held out her hand to him.

“I’m Odessa and would love a drink?” She was obviously very outgoing and liked him despite himself and the way she held herself, was confidence and maybe a bit regal wrapped into a very intelligent package.

The cloud of doom that was above this fellow’s head wasn’t ignored, Dessy saw it and would allow him to tell her why it was there and perhaps with some help make it blow away.

 

[James Lanvarok]

The young bard smiled, and it was the most beautiful thing James had seen in a long time. Full, pink lips and dimples, the sight melted his heart. He gripped his horn of ale tightly and shrunk into his cloak, his features bright red.

She pouted teasingly, then exclaimed her shock over hearing that James was indeed, there by himself. He hung his head and laughed, embarrassed by the fact.

"Heh, what do you mean it's shocking?" He chuckled, looking at the table. "Nobody ever sits with me," he lamented, then raised his ale to his lips.

When she thanked him, he mumbled something along the lines of "you're welcome" and shifted his eyes, nervously avoiding her gaze. A lock of white hair fell around the side of her face, which sent James' heart into a flutter.

"James," he said, his cheeks tinted red as he smiled, "James Lanvarok."

"Dessy," he wondered aloud, "is that short for something?" He asked, tapping his chin in thought.

At Dessy's offer for him to buy her a drink, James blushed fervently. He had never bought a drink for a girl before, and had never met one who liked him enough to let him. Withdrawing his hand from his hand, he looked at the table, his eyes wide as he reached around to rub the back of his neck.

"Um, sure, okay?" He shrugged, "what would you like?" He asked, his shoulders tense and uncomfortable.

 

[Odessa]

Dessy keeping her warm expression on her face never showed the little amused giggle she was doing inside herself at how he was reacting to her. The poor lad it seemed had never had a girl talk to him let alone be so bold, she had better pull back before he has a heart attack and ruin both his day and hers.

A graceful nod of her head as she stated as she put her hand back down, not offended or rather understood his awkwardness.

“Well, as I said their loss, you seem like someone who is worth knowing, and I’ve just changed that so you can now wipe that never away.” A delight full chuckle moved into his ears.

“A pleasure James, and it does Odessa, but those who I consider friends call me Dessy.” Her openness and ease with words and making friends danced in her wording and manner. It was why so many came to her, she was so darn easy to talk to.

Now that he was willing to get her a drink, she’d better get a waitress for him before he wets himself and again that would make her feel rather bad, just as he would be.

“Hot herbal Tea, sounds nice right about now, here I’ll get the waitress, you just buy.” Waved her hand toward the waitress calling her over and helping the lad out, she ordered her drink with a wink.

“He’ll pay.” Gesturing as she sat back now studying him, her long lashes fluttered as she did so, now how was she going to help him, the ferret in her head began to spin those wheels in her mind as she began to come up with ideas.

 

[James Lanvarok]

The woman, who had introduced herself as Odessa, giggled lightly as James blushed. He knew she had noticed and immediately recoiled. He was totally unsure of what to think. Why had she come over to him? Why was she talking to him? Was she just going to humiliate him once she gained his trust? He had no idea, but he swallowed, took a breath and relaxed his hold around his cup of ale as he let her keep him company.

She said he seemed like someone worth knowing, to which James hung his head and smirked.

"I know you're just saying that to be nice," he rolled his eyes far back into his head. "You don't need to lie to me," he stated, his tone stern.

But she was right, she had sat next to him, so now he could say that somebody had approach him and willingly sat with him. The ends of his mouth kinked up and he smiled, a bashful, uncharacteristic smile.

"I guess you're right," he shrugged.

When the girl told him that Odessa was her real name, but her friends called her Dessy, he laughed, a hint of red coming to his cheeks. He felt honored that she wanted him to call her by her nickname, and awkwardly looked at the table, his cheeks hurting as he smiled.

"That's cute, I like it," he mumbled, his words barely audible.

Dessy said that she would hail the waitress, but James could pay for her drink, something he was more than okay with. The waitress came over and James shifted his eyes, when he suddenly saw Dessy wink. He wasn't sure what she had meant by that. Had she been winking at him or the waitress. Suddenly panicking, he breathed in and looked all around the tavern, then sighed and scratched the side of his head.

"Um... what? I..." He stammered.

"Oh! Uh, a pot of herbal tea, thanks," he said to the waitress. "Make sure it's hot." A nod, and he turned back around to face Dessy.

"You want another ale?" The waitress asked.

"Nah, I've had enough," James shook his head, batting the air with his hand in dismissal. He was large and could hold his drink, but didn't want to get tipsy in front of Dessy.

The waitress nodded and swished away.

Breathing in, James slumped his shoulders and sighed, then rested his hands on the table. He was filthy from travel and needed a bath, and was eager to get to his room, but would wait for Dessy to have her drink. He stared at the table, avoiding her gaze as he muttered incoherently, at a loss for what to say. Fiddling with his hands, he shifted his hairs, ratty, dark hair falling around each side of his face.

"I really need a bath," he mumbled.

 

[Odessa]

Dessy, watched the waitress walk away, she scooted her lute over on the table, as she leaned in and placed her elbows on the table, head resting in her hands, she watched him.

She had watched the mixture emotions move across his face and she felt a bit of a twinge in her to just reach over and hug the poor guy and tell him he’s going to be alright, but she was afraid he’d have a heartache if she did so.

No, she stayed on her side for now, as the awkward silence hung there like a thick cloud, Dessy was trying to figure out what to say to break the silence when he mumbled he needed a bath.
Her eyes sparkled, as she had perfect hearing.

“That, is a wonderful idea, and I would enjoy a more peaceful place.” She stood quickly grabbing her lute in one hand, and his in another and gently pulled him to his feet and started to move him past the bar.

“Come, lets get you that bath and we’ll just have the waitress bring our drinks to the room, and maybe something to eat. . .” As she pulled, she’d call out to the Waitress . . .

“Bring, the tea and a tray of goodies to his chamber please!” Dessy’s skin was unbelievably soft and warm to the touch and she was obviously didn’t care what others thought as she dragged this poor boy where his chambers would be.

 

[James Lanvarok]

There was a long pause after James' gave Dessy's order to the waitress. Resting his hands on the table, he twiddled his thumbs awkwardly, at a loss for what to say. He swallowed, his heart pounding with every passing second. When he said that he needed a bath, Dessy sprung up and said it was a wonderful idea, to which James smiled.

She grabbed her lute and pulled out her chair, then rose to her feet and walked past the bar. Eyes darting from one end of the tavern to the next, James clumsily stood, almost knocking over his cup as he did so. At Dessy's light tugging of his trench coat, he followed her past the bar, where she asked the waitress to bring her tea to James' room, along with something for them to eat.

James could barely think as Dessy gave her order to the waitress. A girl? Inviting to go to his room with him? It sounded too good to be true, but Dessy seemed nice and his empathetic senses didn't detect any ill-will. He resided in her trust, and followed her out of the tavern.

Her gentle, delicate fingers pulled at his arm. Panicking, James sputtered as he hobbled after her, tripping over his own feet. They arrived at the stairs, and he gripped the railing and walked up, leading Dessy to the corridor on the second floor.

Candles illuminated the corridor, bathing the wooden beams in a yellow balm. Finally, James arrived at his room and unlocked the door. Upon opening it, he revealed a steel tub filled to the brim with steaming water, which one of the servants in the inn had drawn for him. Standing in the middle of the doorway, James swallowed a nervous gulp as he looked at the bath. He didn't know if Dessy meant for him to get in the bath while she was still there, or for her to wait until he was finish.

Fiddling nervously with his fingers, James walked inside the room. He took off his scarf and fingerless gloves, then threw them on the bed.

"Uh, were you planning to stay?" He asked awkwardly, reaching around to rub the back of his neck.

 

[Odessa]

She took in the surroundings as she moved up the steps and along the dimly lit corridor, every once in a while moving her eyes from one door to the next they passed, and then looking back to James. The way he moved how he was so shy and yet something else made her smile even more deeper within herself.

He must have never had much luck with women, let alone kiss one, or maybe she was over stepping her bounds here and so, she left that thought in the dark. Almost pumping into him once he stopped at his door opening it wide, so the tub was easily seen along with anything else.

He moved then stopped and the look on his face was delicious, and she felt a bit guilty but then again, this was good for him. She didn't reply to his question as she maneuvered herself under his arm like a graceful swan and trotted over to the bed, crawling upon it's covers, crossing her legs in a seated position. She wiggled a little making sure her back was to him and in a soft voice.

"I'll stay, how else will I drink my tea, and don't worry, I won't peek, I'll just tune my lute, while you wash yourself." She turned her head to the side and gave a comforting wink,, then turned her head back to face the wall, placing lute in hand, she did in fact start tuning the instrument as she hummed a little to find the right note.

 

[James Lanvarok]

James froze at Dessy's words. "She's going to stay while I take my clothes off?!" Eyes shifting, he recoiled into the collar of his trench coat. His heart started to pound, and a layer of sweat formed on the back of his neck. He wasn't opposed to the idea of her staying, but didn't want her to laugh at him. She promised she wouldn't peek, and all James could do was trust her.

James swallowed a gulp. While Dessy was occupied with tuning her lute, James slunk around the other side of the bed and took off his trench coat. He threw it down, then sat down and took off his boots. Arching his neck around, he peered over his shoulder to make sure that Dessy wasn't looking and unlaced the front of his trousers. Breathing in, he calmed himself and took off the rest of his clothes. Leaving them on the bed, he crept around to the side of the bath and gripped the side.

The bath was positioned to the end of the bed, so Dessy would have been able to see him out the corner of her eye. Muttering to himself, James slid his foot into the water and sat down. He sat in the middle of the bath with his legs slammed together and his knees held to his chest, constantly looking over his shoulder to make sure Dessy wasn't looking.

He heard the gentle strums of her lute as she tuned it, and was relieved to hear that she was too distracted to pay him any attention. Breathing in, James sighed, and went about washing himself. He rubbed shampoo into his hair and lathered it, then gave himself a once over with a bar of soap and shaved. He stood and rinsed the soap off with a bucket of warm water, then stepped out of the bath and grabbed a towel. He wrapped it around his shoulders and sat on the bed, with Dessy on the other side.

After drying himself from head to toe, James dressed in his trousers, shirt and hose, then teased his hair out with a comb and rubbed it dry. A smile crept onto his features and he sighed, realizing that it hadn't been that bad after all.

There was a knock at the door, and James opened it to reveal the waitress.

"Hello Milord, Milady, I brought your tea and some snacks," she curtsied and handed a tray to James.

"Thanks," he mumbled and took the tray.

Closing the door, he carried the tray to the side table and put down Dessy's tea, then carried the nuts and refreshments over to the side of the bed where she was sitting. His heart was beating wildly, but still, he smiled, a rare uncharacteristic smile. Hands clasped together, he sat down and looked up at Dessy as she tuned her lute.

"Your tea is on the side table." He waved a hand to the side of the room. A pause followed, and James looked down and sighed, "that wasn't so bad after all."

"I expected you to turn around and laugh," he looked down and chuckled. He smirked, not at Dessy, but at himself for being so insecure.

Looking to the side, he pointed at Dessy's lute. "Are you going to play a song for me?" He asked, his round cheeks dented with a smile.

 

[Odessa]

Dessy remained calm and respectful, not even taking a moment to look out of the side of her eyes. The purpose of this was to help him, and if she didn’t show he couldn’t trust her, then why do all of this, besides she wasn’t that way anyway.



She listened to him wash his form and continued to play with her lute and hum a little to make sure the note was exactly what it needed to be. It wasn’t the first time this sort of thing happened, but it was in other ways, a memory would bellow in her mind like a thick cloud, where she was a little girl and the woman had accidentally watched her turn into the curse.

The night was a very awkward one, but Dessy made a joke as best as a girl could do for an adult and eased the woman, and in doing so, the woman agreed to keep the secret forever, which she did.

Odessa snapped out of it as the door was knocked and the drinks and items were taken. She tilted her head to the side, her long white hair once more falling along her doll face as she smiled.

“Aww, be nice to my friend, there is much more to him, at least what I see.” Another playful wink as she tapped his nose and moved to take her mug from the table and began to sip it.

She’d turn around now facing the tub and leaned over grabbing a piece of food and began to nibble on it and swallowed.

“Sure, but I have a price.” Once again, a smile rested on her lips as she took another sip of her mug, then removed it from her mouth.