The Blade Dance

Act 1 - Eran the lonewolf (Part 2)

With a meaningful glance, Halbarad beckoned Eran to follow. In Halbarad's eyes, Eran glimpsed a reflection of his own pain—an unspoken recognition of the shadows that haunted their lives.

"Join me," Halbarad urged, his voice imbued with reassurance. "You can place your trust in me. Even if I harbored ill intentions, my actions would be thwarted before I could enact them." With those words, Halbarad moved away, leaving Eran momentarily torn by his lingering skepticism.

"Quickly!" Halbarad's urgent exhortation jolted Eran from his contemplation, compelling him to abandon his hesitation and follow suit.

Eran trailed behind Halbarad as they exited the tavern, venturing through the lively streets of Alku Village. Halbarad deftly navigated the labyrinthine alleys, and a torrent of inquiries surged within Eran's mind. The thoroughfares narrowed, and sharp, prying gazes from passersby punctuated their passage. Ultimately, Halbarad came to a halt before a building at the terminus of their journey. They entered, and Eran's gaze fell upon the sign outside, bearing the name "Herald Inn."

The inn, secluded within a quiet alley, appeared to shun the prying eyes of the world. At first glance, its weathered facade seemed precariously close to crumbling, with cracked walls and creaking floorboards. Eran treaded cautiously on the rickety stairs that led them to a room on the second floor.

"Let us proceed inside," Halbarad beckoned, securing the room and carefully hanging his lute by the window.

"Do your suspicions linger?" Halbarad inquired upon noticing Eran's lingering presence near the door.

"I possess a natural wariness of strangers," Eran replied, his response laced with a trace of sarcasm.

"Then why, I wonder, have you chosen to follow me here?" Halbarad quipped.

"You exude an air of vulnerability," Eran retorted.

Halbarad chuckled. "It is often amidst chaos that true character is revealed, wouldn't you agree?" Eran settled into a chair beside the window.

Within the unassuming confines of the room, Eran scrutinized every action as Halbarad tidied up. His reservations about this Bard, bearing the name Halbarad, remained firmly intact.

Sensing Eran's lingering doubt, Halbarad paused and spoke with unshakable confidence, "You see, life has a way of orchestrating unexpected transformations. I arrived in Alku driven by curiosity, an unquenchable thirst for adventure, and a burning desire to sever the shackles of my past."

Eran, his curiosity piqued, questioned, "Shedding the past? From what, pray tell?"

Halbarad fell silent for a moment, as if contemplating the right words to reveal his inner truth. "It's the ghosts of the past, the weight of regrets, and the sting of bitter memories," he finally confessed. "Yet, you see, Alku has transformed into a haven for me. In this place, I've discovered solace and forged friendships amidst the turmoil of my existence."

"Enough with the poetic enigma," Eran interjected firmly, his tone carrying a subtle threat. "I'll ask you plainly. Who are you?"

"Very well," Halbarad acquiesced. "I am Halbarad, a Bard from the south."

Eran wasted no time in his pressing inquiry. "How did you come to know about the massacre?"

"It's common knowledge," Halbarad replied, his voice tinged with bitterness. "It has been documented in numerous books and poems."

Eran, his gaze sharp, questioned menacingly, "Then how did you discern that I am a Sinners?"

Halbarad sighed, drawing closer and kneeling before Eran. "Halbarad de Sinners acknowledges the direct descendants of Olaf de Sinners," he declared.

Eran was taken aback by the Bard's statement, and in the dimly lit room, Halbarad's tone grew serious as he unveiled his true identity. Eran's stoic facade began to crumble as the weight of his isolation slowly lifted.

"You're a Sinners?" Eran asked incredulously.

"I am," Halbarad affirmed, producing a silver pendant necklace from his hand, identical to the one Eran possessed. It bore the unmistakable mark of the Sinners.

Eran fell into a contemplative silence, grappling with the information he had just received. His heart raced, and his thoughts raced even faster, a tumult of questions and conflicting emotions swirling within him. The truth revealed by Halbarad had left him profoundly shaken.

"Do you still harbor suspicions about me?" Halbarad inquired.

Eran paused, causing tension to hang in the air. He weighed the possibilities, considering whether Halbarad might be a swindler who had stolen the necklace or come across it by chance. However, the details that Halbarad possessed about the necklace complicated matters.

"I don't doubt your identity," Eran finally conceded, albeit begrudgingly. "But I find your loquacious nature irksome."

"That's how Sinners should speak, rude and uncivilized," Eran smiled in response to Halbarad's words.

Deep within his heart, a sense of contentment washed over him, knowing that there were still other Sinners like him; he no longer felt quite so alone.

"Our encounter has been rather unusual," Eran remarked.

"Forget that. Give me a hug, my friend."

They embraced, their shared pain forging a bond that touched Eran's wounded heart. The barriers Eran had constructed over the years began to crumble, allowing a glimmer of trust to take hold.

"I've been waiting for you for quite some time. I extended my stay at this inn deliberately, anticipating your arrival," Halbarad revealed.

"So, you were aware of my coming."

"Indeed."

"What else do you know about me?"

"Hmm... not much, just that you're a mercenary, renowned as the Black Shadow in underground circles," Halbarad explained.

"Are you a royal spy?" Eran asked, his suspicion evident. Halbarad laughed at the question.

"Of course not! I'm merely a Bard, my friend. You must know that the South is notorious for being a hub of spies and a gathering place for free-spirited individuals and artists. My escape led me there, and coincidentally, I aspired to be a Bard, thus, I was nurtured there," Halbarad replied. Eran scrutinized him even more intensely, prompting Halbarad to exhale and continue his explanation.

"What you must understand is that we Bards are scattered throughout the continent of Anthares, forming the Canary Whistle—an extensive network of informants. It's a gathering of our agents. I hope that clarifies things for you."

"You're no ordinary bard," Eran complimented, admiringly.

Halbarad appeared vexed by Eran's praise. "Quit mocking me."

"Can't you hear? I'm praising you."

"Look at yourself in the mirror. Your face is irritating," Eran laughed in response to Halbarad's words.

As stories and laughter flowed, Eran and Halbarad discovered common ground. The bard, with his sharp wit and worldly knowledge, provided a welcome diversion from the weight of Eran's relentless quest for revenge.

Halbarad's narratives transported Eran to far-off lands, introducing him to heroes and mythical creatures that roamed the realms of the unknown. The bard's storytelling painted vivid pictures in Eran's mind, momentarily kindling a sense of wonder within him.

As the night progressed, Eran found himself sharing fragments of his tragic story with Halbarad, trusting the poet's ability to comprehend the depths of his pain. Halbarad listened intently, his eyes filled with empathy and understanding.

However, as the night wore on, Eran's uncertainty resurfaced. He still remained unsure about whether he could fully trust this bard. Eran was uncertain about what lay behind Halbarad's smile, the secrets he harbored, and whether their meeting was a matter of destiny or mere coincidence.

In his uncertainty, Eran ultimately decided to rely on his instincts and intuition. Perhaps fate had indeed brought them together in Alku village, and if so, he was willing to go with the flow.

Their meeting at the Tavern marked a turning point for Eran. Amidst the revelry and the lingering echoes of Halbarad's melodies, the seeds of friendship and camaraderie were sown in Eran's heart. Halbarad, with his whimsical nature and storytelling prowess, offered Eran a glimpse of the friendship he had yearned for.

*****