Gypsy Wars

Gypsy War

By: Anasina R. Dupree-Aileron

Performed at Bardic 9/27/17

Once upon a time in a distant city, there were two houses. These houses were known as the Spirits of Melody and the Voices of Fate. You'd think both houses quite similar, but this was not the case.

SoM was a house of song and dance. They held rowdy and elaborate parties every week, dancing and singing all throughout the night. VoF on the other hand, were fortune tellers and mediators, spending all their days quietly contemplating fate and finding ways to avoid disaster within the city.

These two houses, were located right next to each other.

So every day the Voices of Fate would begin their meditation, and every day the Spirits of Melody would begin their singing and dancing to prepare for their next party. This was not very conducive to VoF's mission in the slightest! The noise kept breaking their concentration and making what should have been a relatively relaxing meditation grating and agitating.

So, the ruler of the Voices, a dreamseer named Eltha Sylro, made her way to the noisy neighboring house and attempted to strike a compromise.

"But dear Elthy!", exclaimed ruler Itham Lanren at the mere mention of changing their practice schedule, "A true artist shouldn't EVER stop practicing!"

As the eccentric man shook his tambourine with little care, Eltha knew she wasn't going to get through to him. She made her way back home, determined to come up with a plan.

The next week, on the day of the party at the Spirits of Melody stronghold, the Spirits were confused as to why no one was there. Evoking Sense Dreamers, they found that everyone was, for some reason, over at the Voices of Fate. Whatever could have drawn dreamers to such a dull place??

Curious, Itham, his guardians and a few initiates made their way over to the home of the Voices, only to find an enormous crowd upon the facade. Dreamers were laughing and talking over slips of paper, hanging lanterns lit the whole area, and various booths were set up on all sides. Delicious confections were being enjoyed by all.

...What in the world was happening here?

Itham made his way through the crowds, and found Eltha handing out small cookies with slips of paper inside of them, smiling warmly to the crowd... until her eyes met his.

Gazing over at him for a moment, Eltha pondered simply walking the other way. However, with a sigh, she made her way over toward him. "Fair eve to you, Itham. Come to enjoy the festivities?", she asked with her most diplomatic of smiles, but Itham only looked around in confusion. "What is all of this?", he asked bluntly.

With the most serene of smiles Eltha simply gestured toward the carts, "Why, we're celebrating our craft. Would you like a fortune cookie?", she asked.

Itham stared at her, noting that her charming tone did not match the daggers that made her gaze. This was, quite clearly, an act of war. With a quiet huff, Itham gathered his men and they made their way back home, where they began preparations for their next assault.

To be continued...

Reference

https://forums.underlight.com/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=4274&p=15949&hilit=bardic#p15949