Petulant Postulant

[Chalnoth Tholl]

    The hollow sound of the near empty Tower roared in Chalnoth's ears.  Due to his recent arrival, here there lacked even the most simple of furnishings, so he sat on the steps leading to the upper level, his back pressed to the cool stone exterior wall.  Shattered remnants of tambors, their disassembled zils scattered like lost coins, amidst twisted harp strings and splintered lute necks surrounded the stair landing.  He rested his right hand in a bowl of soothing water, seeking respite from the stinging pain within the fingers that had wrought these many musical instruments into the ruined heap of garbage strewn about him.  His glance fell upon the belly of a lute, three strings seemingly taut across the frets.  “Perhaps there were a few more notes in there?”, he qyestioned.  Closer examination revealed pegs hopelessly stripped from the supporting neck.  His thought wandered away from his training and discomfort.

    How fortunate had it been that his very first outing with the guildsman of Gilfane had found him at an IDOC structure in New Mag.  Here on the Shard of legendary savagery a treasure within a guard zone!  It wasn't a massive drop, but still fortunate to have secured several exceptionally crafted instruments, their current state described above, and also the means to create woven materials and smelt ores that he may gather, when his Bardic training nears completion.  Humbled by the gift from The Lady Hoffs, the crystal portal will facilitate travel about Siege.  Static's present of alacrity scrolls is what led to the mess of wood and metal once capable of producing melody, now a crush of waste to be swept from the tower pavers. 

     It was good that he was able to complete the postulant tests on his own. It bolstered his confidence entering, and eventually leaving that stinking pit called Bedlam, under the Necro city. He was even able to find and reach Master Gnosos.  Although his modest skills required a bit of trickery to evade Sir Patrick, his technique was not completely unpolished.  Letting go a chesty sigh, he had to admit he still had far to go.  In his present state he was totally inept against the ninja and assassins of the Citadel.  So it is back to training, so that the Black Order badges may be gathered as required.

     Opening a white Rarewood Chest he gingerly lifts out a lap harp and strums it tentatively.  The pain immediately bounding from several blistered phalanx is suppressed.  "No Pain, No Gain" he muses as his notes replace the hollow echo within the stone tower and his mind drifts to the pages recently read that described the Houses of Gilfane.  So many decisions confront when moving from the steady of your home shard.  How comforting are the memories of the gracious and jesting members he was able to meet on that first adventure.  He wonders which Houses these folk had called their own, and plays through the pain.

[Hoffs]

*smiles* Nicely written, sir.

[Natalia]

It is a journey of discovery, embarking to an unknown land without any possessions or familiar friends.  I commend your efforts, and your writing.