Ballad for the soul [CLOSED]

[Niahara Erskine]

42 of Winter Ara walked aimlessly through the halls of Syliras, clutching her violin case in her left arm. She had nothing to do... mother and father were away with business, her music lessons were all over and her friend was visiting some relatives in Ravok. What to do? What to do? Unconsciously she headed towards the Stone Gardens, her favorite place of meditation. She was aware that other people found her weird... after all who meditates between tombs of dead people. Yet, she found the silence soothing for her soul, chasing away all doubts and worries. On her way she passed by many crowds, some made of foreigners, some of locals. It never ceased to amaze her how the number of people in Syliras seemed to increase day by day. It wasn't comforting at all to person who cherishes her solitude. At last she arrived; the rows of the tombs stood in front of her. As she walked past them and headed towards her favorite spot, a large boulder under an oak tree, she fiddled with her violin case. As soon as she sat down she pulled her instrument out and set the case next to her. She wanted to sing, so she started playing a sad tune which told the story of a young maiden who lost her loved one in a war. The song was long; it started with the day the maiden met her loved one, how they swore to be together forever and how he later was forced to leave and go to war from where he never returned. The maiden dispaired at the death of her loved one and went mad, wandering the forests near her home alone until she succumbed to her death. Even afterwards, the ballad sang, she did not find rest, nor did she meet him in the other life; she returned as a ghost doomed to haunt the world where he would never set foot again.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Once again Jaelyn was wandering amidst the Stone Gardens, letting the calm and somber atmosphere help clear her mind. Except something was different today, there was... music? Why was someone playing music here?

Determined to preserve the sanctity of the Gardens she followed the sound of the song, but as she did she listened to it. It took her some time, but she began following the story of the song, and as she did her feet slowed. It was a sad song, not just for the loss of the woman it spoke of, but Jaelyn found it sad because there was no praise of the man who had given his life in service.

When she finally found the woman who was the source of the music she simply stood there, watching and listening as she was no longer willing to interrupt the song. Watching the woman before her she followed the tale to its end, and she felt the threat of tears forming in her eyes at the conclusion. With a shake of her head she blinked away the tears though, a Knight wouldn't cry at such a depressing song, and turned her attention back to the woman.

For almost a chime she struggled to find what she wanted to say, until finally she gave a belated, "You... You play very well."

[Niahara Erskine]

As the last notes of the ballad died in the wind, Ara's hand relaxed it hold on the violin and lowered it to the ground, a single tear gathering at the corner of her eye. She did not know what possessed her to sing that particular song, yet it seemed fitting amidst the stone tombs of those fallen. Turning her attention to the newcomer in the Stone Gardens she noticed a tall woman with dark hair and light grey eyes. Standing up and holding her violin to her side, Ara bowed simply and looked the newcomer in the eye. "Thank you she said. Though I am sorry if my music disturbed you in any way. I was not expecting to meet anyone here at this time of the day." She gazed at the woman wondering if she truly was intruding the other's personal space. She would have hated it; she knew very well when one had longings for solitude it was best to leave them in peace. However seeing as they were both in the same place at the same time, common courtesy told Ara it was polite of her to at least introduce herself. "My name is Niahara Erskine, though everyone calls me Ara. May I be so bold as to inquire your name?"

[Jaelyn Baroth]

"No," Jaelyn replied to the woman with a shake of her head and a soft smile, "I enjoyed it, even though it was sad," she then offered her hand to Niahara, "I am Jaelyn Baroth. It is a pleasure to meet you Niahara."

As Jaelyn shook hands with Niahara she couldn't help but observe the other woman. From appearances, one would probably guess that the two of them were opposites. In her elegant looking dress, that even Jaelyn would call pretty, and with a slim, feminine figure to go with it, Jaelyn felt a bit plain and rough. Not that a Syliran Knight would worry about such things as looking pretty, but she felt just the hint of curiosity what it was like to dress in such a manner.

Realizing she had been staring for a moment Jaelyn quickly returned her gaze to Niahara's icy blue eyes, "Do you come to the Gardens often? I do not believe I have seen you here before, and I know that I haven't heard you here."

[Niahara Erskine]

Ara smiled at the woman and nodded "It's nice to meet you Jaelyn Baroth. But seriously, call me Ara, Niahara is such a handful." She took a seat back on her rock and asked the other to join her. "If you are not in a hurry take a seat. The weather is quite nice despite the time." Noticing the woman's attire and sword Ara guessed she was either a knight or a knight in training. Sighing she wondered what it would have been like to be a knight and fight heroic battles. Shaking her head she decided she had no need for such deeds. A dagger, even though she hardly knew how to use it, was enough for her. "I come here sometimes when I feel there is no other place that could be silent enough for my thoughts. Today was the first time I played the violin here though. Sometimes I go just outside the gates, by the small river and play there." Still she couldn't help darting glances at Jaelyn's sword despite her mind protests that she had no need for such things.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Jaelyn was surprised by Nia... Ara's offer to sit with her, and for a moment she considered refusing. Honestly she didn't have a good reason, and she had to admit she was a bit curious about the woman. Giving a nod of her head she replied, "As you wish Ara, and thank you for the offer."

Taking a seat a short ways away from Ara, Jaelyn looked across the courtyard for a moment, but when she heard Ara sigh she turned her attention back to the other woman, and caught her glancing at the sword on Jaelyn's hip. Unsure what to make of the brief glance, she listened to Ara's words, and gave a small nod of agreement, "Yes, it is a very good place to think. That's often why I come here, or some times to calm down when I am thinking too much. I also find it inspiring as well."

Noticing Ara casting a few more glances at her sword she cleared her throat lightly and asked, "Does my sword bother you? I could take it off if you like," she knew that not everyone could live by combat, and some even disliked it.

[Cecile Xyhura]

Things were calm as always within the confines of Syliras. While she heard all sorts of exciting news of things going on around town, Cecile had yet to do anything interesting. She often felt like leaving, but she had no weapon skills, nor much of a destination for that matter. Somewhat frustrated, she traveled to her favorite thinking spot, the stone garden. It seemed quite a popular place for meditation. She recently set up at her chosen spot, but today she just didn't feel street performing, so she grabbed her violin case and left.

As Cecile approached the site, she heard music. It seemed to be coming from a rather somber violinist, judging by the beautiful yet depressing song. She stood there listening to the ballad until it's sad conclusion before seeking out it's composer. It didn't take long to find where the violinist was, and she came closer before hearing conversation. Two women sat on a rock, one was taller than her and wore expensive-looking clothing with dark hair and strange blue eyes that gave a sense of mystery. She held the violin that played the wonderful music earlier.The other was also taller than her and had a much rougher edge to her than her companion, shown my her more muscular frame and her facial scar. Her eyes had a color which she couldn't really describe, and her serious expression was somewhat intimidating. Both had weapons and looked much more experienced than her, most likely having seen their fair share of trouble.

Her first thought was to hide. She was never comfortable with strangers, especially the weapon-toting type. She also didn't want to interrupt the conversation, so she dove into some nearby bushes, hoping to remain unnoticed, at least until she came up with a better plan.

[Niahara Erskine]

Ara was puzzled a bit as she heard Jaelyn say the gardens were inspiring. "Inspiring? How so?" To her the gardens were almost depressing with their long rows of tombs, reminding her of all those that had fallen in combat. Blushing furiously she quickly looked away and stammered. "I'm sorry... there's no need to take it off. I was just...ugh...admiring it, honestly." Probably the other woman thought she was crazy now. Here she was a violinist and nothing more, dressed in a dress, admiring a sword. What could she ever do with a sword? "I kind of like weapons and admire people who are able to use them for good purposes. The only thing I know how to use it this." She took out what appeared to be a club, carved with original drawings of owls batting their wings. "They're tamo daggers. Inside the sheath there are two blades that can separate or become one when placed together. Father said it was best to be on your guard, rather than by taken by surprise so I bought these."

[Jaelyn Baroth]

As Ara spoke Jaelyn though she heard something nearby, but when she glanced over all she saw was some bushes. Maybe it had been a bird in the bushes? Returning her attention to Ara and her question she gave a nod, and a faint smile, "Yes, everyone represented here is an example of honor and valor. Everything a Knight should strive for is represented by the lives these people led," as she spoke she gestured over the stones that composed the Stone Gardens.

When Ara bashfully admitted to admiring Jaelyn's sword she had a moment of surprise. It was a simple enough weapon, nothing fancy about its design or workmanship, and she'd never really thought anyone would consider it special save for her. When Ara brought out the club looking weapon, and said there was a tamo dagger within, Jaelyn tilted her head ever so slightly, "Tamo daggers? I've never heard of them before. May I see them? If you would like I could let you see my sword in return," she offered with a faint hint of a friendly smile.

[Niahara Erskine]

The lives those people led was glorious, true, Ara thought, but now they are dead and they left behind families that mourned them. She saw no honor in death or war, but decided against telling Jaelyn that in order not to offend the woman. After all she either was or was going to be a knight and these people represented models for her. Who was she to say otherwise? After all famous violinists and bards were Ara's models and no one said it was weird or anything. Returning with a slight smile of her own, Ara handed Jaelyn the club and simply told her. " You open it and when you do you'll have two daggers, one in each hand. They're quite useful if you want to throw one and keep one to protect yourself. I'd love it if you could show me your sword." Darting a glance at the bush that had moved moments ago Ara asked herself if there really was just a bird. "I should practice at least a bit more before I head home" she sighed ", but I wouldnt want to bother you with my violin." She wondered where she could find a master violinist... probably in Avanthal. She recalled her parents saying something about the Snowsong Hold, whatever a Hold was.