EverBright: The Darkness Pool

Interlude: Yaln

Yaln walked the forest road with a defiant aire that openly mocked the fear that most seemed to feel. Since that old farmer had disappeared a few years back, the travel on this road had slowed to a trickle where now he could go most of the day seeing only a cart or two. Yaln was young, just getting started as a trader, when the disappearance occured. He didn’t possess the name or money necessary to seek another trade route. Instead, he bolstered himself with tales of his own prowess as a fighter, earned at the expense of any poor ploughboy that looked at him the wrong way. In his hometown of Sea Cray, just a forest trail’s walk from EverBright, he garnered a reputation for being rough and frightening so great that it nearly rivaled the road itself. That reputation didn’t mean much.

The trip started like any other. Yaln walked beside a donkey pulling an empty cart intending to fill it in EverBright as he did every week at this time since just before the disappearance. That misfortune was quite the boon to him. Since there were so few travelers from Sea Cray these days, his trips allowed him to offer goods no one else was carrying. His mercantile had become the most successful in town. So much so, that now, instead of closing when he made these trips, he could leave his hired man running the place and making money. These were the thoughts crowding his mind when he heard a distinct rustle off the path. Small game, probably a rabbit or squirrel caught in a long forgotten trapper’s snare. His stomach rumbled at the sound as the thought of fresh game eclipsed the cold, hard crusts crumbling in the bottom of his food pouch.

The pool tempts. It feeds rarely, but the snares it traps with are more cunning than any mortal finger could fashion. The pool knows what weaknesses lurk in the souls of men. There is no better way to trap prey than to offer it what it wants.

When Yaln sought the sound, he left cart and donkey on the road headed for an image he was sure he could see just inside the treeline. Had he noticed that his steps weren’t closing the distance, he may have turned and fled. Instead, he noticed only that he did indeed see a hare, and it was large enough for more than one meal. He grinned as, once again, fortune favored him.

Just as he did not notice that his target had been moving, he did not see that it stopped and let him come to it. At that point, the snare with its prize sat less than 10 feet from the edge of pool so black as to be impenetrable by eye or light. Yaln, though, saw only the quarry. But, when he bent to seize the animal, it dissolved into a tendril of that black pool and seized him instead.

There are very few travelers on the forest road these days, so only Yaln’s donkey heard

his screams. Only the donkey, if it had speech, could describe the way his throaty yell was slowly choked and muffled as if vegetable oil was being slowly poured into his mouth as he screamed.

Malin, the miller, heading from EverBright to Sea Cray some hours later, couldn’t help but think about how fortune continually smiled upon him when he found a donkey and cart unattended - and seemingly unowned - in the middle of the forest road.

Chapter 2: Tiernan’s First lute

By the time he was seven, Tiernan had developed the sort of work ethic that is born from a passionate goal. Of course, he worked for his master, that was the requirement for room and board. In that, his only goal was to do everything in his power to ease the workload of his mother. He was moderately successful in this endeavor. She wasn’t always dead tired at the end of the evening because the evening ended an hour sooner than it had before. It seemed like, no matter how much he did, they always found more work for her to do.

Of course, because he was so young, they wouldn’t give him the most important tasks, and the tasks they gave him left huge gaps of time in his day. Twice a day, he would carry in water for meals. This task had been eased considerably the previous spring when the new well had been dug in the backyard. Prior to that, his trip to the old well had been three times the distance. Once a week, he also carried in water to heat for the master’s bath. He would often be sent to the market area of town with order slips. He was never trusted with the orders themselves, though. Those were always delivered by couriers sometime after he had dropped off the lists. This left him with huge swaths of time during the day.

He could do one of two things with this time: either get into trouble or find a way to earn money. He wanted a lute, so he found work. Sometimes he went to the stables. The Head Groom would let him brush out the horses for a penny per horse. Other times, he would ask around the market region, taking on errands from shopkeepers too busy to leave their stores. He soon discovered that he earned more money by finishing tasks quickly because the shopkeepers were always in a hurry.

The market was really just an extension of the wharf. EverBright was the greatest city on the continent because it established its wharf as the premier location for buyers and sellers of seafood in the region. It was said that you could tell where you were in the market by the smell in the air. The seaward side was filled with the smell of salt air and fish. It was pungent and immediately recognizable. A person wanting passage off the continent or shrimp for dinner had only to follow his nose.

Next closest to the sea came the meat markets, needing to keep the transfer of the salt - so precious for its preservative properties - to a minimum. If you stood too long in the spot where these two met, you could easily lose your stomach, which Tiernan learned first hand on his initial visit to the area. Offset behind and further down, the tanners worked their leather, but only the shop on the farthest end of that section offered the pleasant smell of finished leather goods. Up to then, it was just a more rancid version of the meat market. The leather goods opened onto two separate industries. On the one side, horses were corralled and sold. Behind those, a person would find less savory livestock. On the other side of the wide thoroughfare, there were dressmakers, cobblers, and tailors, punctuated at the extreme end of the market by more general mercantiles and green grocers. All told, the market took up a full quarter of the city, and being able to navigate it swiftly and effectively was a truly marketable skill. It didn’t take long for Tiernen to recognize this, and he made a concerted effort to attune himself to the market for that very reason.

As part halfing, he was spry by nature. His small stature allowed him to move adroitly through the thick market crowds. As such, he found himself running very nearly everywhere, and he loved it. Whether it was weaving in and out of people, horses, and carts in the bustling market, or running in the meadows with his friends, Clockwise and Widdershins, chasing the birds or the occasional wild dog who came near with the hope for a scrap of food, running was one of his greatest pleasures.

When there was no work to be found in town and he became truly desperate, Tiernan would make his way to the farmland on the edge of town, earning 2 pennies an hour for pulling weeds in spring or picking vegetables later in the summer. He usually earned a little extra when they let him deliver as well. Often, though, the delivery fee ended up being a marker of credit at the mercantile. He used it for candy usually since that was his only way of procuring it. Of course, he liked that just fine, but it goaded him just a bit because it didn’t get him any closer to his goal. Only the running made working the fields worth his time, and it took up so much of his day that it was nearly a wasted effort.

Especially since he had to get home and hide his coin before he started his evening chores. The first time he’d earned a little extra, Reginald had come around the corner, and caught him counting it when he was supposed to be carrying water. Tiernan still shuddered at the thought. Reginald had slapped the money from his hand, calling him a thief and sending him forcefully out to get the water. When he came back, the pennies were gone. It seemed clear that Reginald had pocketed them. After that, Tiernan had taken the lid of an old broken crate, hidden in a hole near his shack and put his earning there.

At least once a week, he found his way to Ghent’s Mercantile at the end of the market. There, he would stare at a lute that was too highly priced to be quickly sold. For two years, it hadn’t moved from its place, and so he would stand and stare at it. It was a deep mahogany, obviously imported from one of the exotic islands to the south. The tuning pegs weren’t brass like the cheaper versions usually sold, instead they gleamed the silver of a metal Tiernan didn’t recognize, ending with pearl pegs. It was a beauty that took his breath away. Usually the reverie was broken by the sound of either Clockwise or Widdershins pulling him into their current argument or telling him they were tired of waiting.

Those twin boys, Clockwise and Widdershins, had been inseparable opposites since birth like the north and south ends of a compass, never divided but caught in a constant straining against one another’s will. It’s why they got their names when they were born, in fact.

Clockwise was the older of the two, and his birth was textbook. Head down and out in just over half an hour of labor. Sixteen hours later, it was the next day, and Widdershins was stuck, feet first, cord around his neck, turning blue. The whole ordeal left him underweight and always a bit of a runt.

Their mother never fussed over Clockwise. Widdershins took all her energy. Clockwise never seemed to mind, though. He loved his mother dearly and showed her all the respect a son should. Widdershins tried to be respectful. He really did. But, he always seemed to pick the wrong times to get distracted. Like when they were old enough to start choring for their mother. They would go to the well to water for the days, they served a noble family with their mother, much like Tiernan and Melody did, and Widdershins would always return with a bucket only half full and a soaked shirt. He’d find a toad to chase or a butterfly’s winding flight path to follow never paying attention to what the wandering and jostling was doing to the contents of his bucket.

Tiernan met them on one of his early trips to the market. Between the two of them, they carried a large basket of vegetables heading away from the market.

“Hey, watch it, you!” Widdershins shouted as he Tiernan brushed his shoulder running past.

“Sorry about that.” Tiernen replied, slowing down and turning around as he recognized that he wasn’t the only young boy running errands to the market.

“Who’s your Lord?” Tiernan inquired.

“Eh?” said the taller one. Both had sandy brown hair, though the speaker’s was wavy and mussed while the quieter of the two had hair that was straight and neat. They both had the smaller hands and feet that made it obvious they were halfing children and not just children.

“I mean,” Tiernan started again, “who’s vegetables are you taking to market?”

“Oh, These?” the speaker pointed at the basket he had plopped in the center of the road. “These is our vegetables,” he said, punctuating the statement with a grin that removed any pretense of believability.

“Don’t listen to him,” the other said. Though the features of both were close enough that it was obvious they were twins, this one wore them with a sharper, more angular focus when compared to his brother’s softer, rounder face. “We work for Lord Kalmark. His barony has middling holdings east of EverBright. It stretches between the city and the forest.”

At the mention of the forest, Tiernan’s eyes grew wide, and he leaned in.

“The forest?,” he asked in wonder. “Have you been there? I’ve always wanted to go. Ever since I saw Narlix when I was little. He’s amazing? Have you seen him?” The adrenaline rush of the moment sent Tiernan into a flurry.

“Oh, sure, loads of times,” the softer one (who turned out to be Widdershins) said.

Again, the reserved Clockwise, corrected his brother. “We’ve only been there if you count running up just long enough to touch the closest tree on the very edge. Widdershins is always exaggerating.” “Widdy,” he said turning to his brother, “Stop lying to everyone.” Again, he focused on Tiernan, “ My name’s Clockwise. My brother is Widdershins. We started carrying the vegetables to market because our mum’s getting too old to do it.”

“Sounds like me,” Tiernan responded. “I’ve started carrying water and running errands for Lord Marol to help my mom. Plus, I’m saving money to buy a lute.”

“You play?,” asked Widdershins.

“Not yet,” the boy confessed.

“Of course not,” interjected Clockwise, “he hasn’t gotten it yet. Hey, you wanna walk to the market with us?”

“Sure. I’m Tiernan, by the way.”

Since that day, the three boys had been close, always together when work or parents didn’t separate them.

Widdershins jabbed Tiernan, not so subtly out of his reverie. Tiernan eyes flashed with frustration for a moment before glazing over the other boy entirely and looking into the eyes of his hero.

“Mr. Dilou, sir...um, yes sir, she’s beautiful.” Tiernan floundered for some sort of ballast as the man continued to smile. “I aim to buy her. That is, unless, someone gets to her first, sir.”

Dilou’s face drew down into a serious look of consternation. “Do you know how much an instrument of that quality costs, boy?”

“I do, sir. I’ve been saving for over a year to afford her.”

“What’s a year’s worth of saving done for you?”

“I’m halfway to earning her. I just have to hope she stays in that window another year.”

“I’m sorry, son.” With that, Dilou nodded to the boys and walked into Ghents.

All three boys stood, wearing the kind of faces reserved by those who had just watched someone throw away food, laughing in the face of a starving man. Tiernan was crestfallen as Ghent took the lute out of the window to place it in the hands of the smiling entertainer. In that moment, Tiernan felt as the future he’d crafted for himself was crumbling. As he watched, his dreams were locked away in a supple leather case and slung on the shoulder of the man he had once wanted to emulate more than anyone in life. It was a crystalline moment when he knew that who he wanted to be may not be achievable because of who he was.

Dilou smiled at the boys as he left. “Should be a new lute for sale soon enough. Keep saving those pennies.” With a chuckle that was equal parts condescension and mirth, he was off, whistling as he went swallowed by the market crowd taking Tiernan’s sole goal in life with him.

“That lousy…” began Widdershins.

“Stop.” Clockwise interrupted. “It’s alright, Tier, they’ll get another lute in soon.”

Tiernan did his best to not let the hope leave his heart through his face, but it was a wasted effort. He slumped and shuffled his feet as he walked away from the market toward home.

“Aren’t we going to the river?” Widdershins implored, offering Tiernan an alternative to his depression.

“Come on, Widdy. We’re going to leave Tiernan to himself for a while.” With that, Clockwise tugged his brothers shirt and diverged their path from their sullen friend.

Tiernan continued alone through the familiar streets on the sort of walk whose details would be completely forgotten by the time he arrived home. The homes - small, stout and smashed neatly together near the market,and becoming ever more lavish and sprawling as he neared the estate that housed he and his mother - used to create a sense of wonder as Tiernan looked on, dreaming of the types of lives that each may hold. Living in fantasies where he and his mother were not servants, but freer, more powerful. Today, those houses held nothing of that. They were washed away in the gloom, differents hues of the same blur of dissatisfaction that filled him.

Even the creaking of the odd tinker’s cart did not rouse him from his malaise. If the tinker had not spoken to him, he would have been passed by entirely, the course of his life breaking in a much different way. However, the man did speak, and the husk in his voice snapped the boy’s stupor like a lightning in a clear sky.

“Boy!” The tinker spoke with a heady authority. The type of voice that expects to be heeded. Tiernan’s head flew up at the word and fixed on a huge man. His bulk was mostly hidden behind his grayed, rickety cart, but even though the cart was covered with a cloth on a frame several feet above the cart itself, his head a shoulders were clearly visible nearly to the elbow. Being young and part-halfing besides, Tiernan barely made it up to the man’s knee. He was certain he had never seen anyone so large, and that certainty made him want to cringe though he did not give in to the urge. The rough tone and large size of the man were balanced with a warm grin and a body shaped like the largest pear Tiernan had ever seen.

“I’m new to EverBright.” The grin replaced with a look of inquiry as he began. “I need to find a place to sell my wares.” As he said this, he motioned toward the cart with his head and leaned it a bit, so the boy could peer inside. The items that shifted as he did so filled Tiernan’s ears with a series of clunks and clatters, however, he only saw what was tied to one of the side posts.

The lute hanging there wasn’t as nice as the one at Ghent’s, but it called to him in an entirely different way. It was clearly used, dinged and notched from endless travels, but that gave it something the lute in the window couldn’t offer. Ghent’s lute, as Tiernan had come to think of it, offered dreams of fame and fortune. This lute, on the other hand, whispered to him that it had stories to tell. It had lessons learned that it would be willing to teach such an obviously young and inexperienced boy as himself.

“Do you know what that is, son?” the tinker’s words broke the spell of amazement like cold water to the face of a sleeping man.

“Yes, sir. It’s a lute.”

“That it is, but it’s so much more.”

“I can tell. How much do you want for it?”

The tinker eyed him in a way that made Tiernan feel as if he could count the coins in his pocket at a glance. It wasn’t a sneer, but it also wasn’t the friendly smile of a moment earlier. It was the look of a man ready to talk business. It seemed the age of the customer didn’t matter to this man. He looked on every possible sale as an important undertaking. “I’m not sure a boy of your age would have the money for such an item.”

“I’d still like to know the price. I’d been saving for one for over a year now, and I have quite a bit saved up.”

The man eyes flashed briefly as he registered the notion that he might have judged the boy too soon. “How much have you saved?”

“About half the amount Ghent’s mercantile was asking for theirs.”

“Too impatient to save the rest? Is that it?”

“No, sir. It got sold out from under me.”

“That’s the way of business sometimes. He shrugged in a ‘what are you going to?’ sort of gesture.

“I guess so.” Tiernan responded. “I’d still like to know the price of this one.”

“How would you compare this one to the one you wanted?”

“That one looked nicer.” Tiernan blushed, realizing he may have offered an insult. “It didn’t have any stories, though. This one looks like it could tell me many tales.”

“Do you suppose, based on that apt comparison, that this instrument should sell for more or less than the one you’ve had your eye on?”

Tiernan pursed his lips and knit his brow in contemplation, trying to figure out what the man wanted to hear, and more importantly, what answer was more likely to get him closer to owning the lute. He thought of a few clever things he might say, then discarded them for the truth. “I don’t know. You can’t put a price on stories, so I can’t put a price on that lute. I guess that means it’s worth a lot less or a lot more depending on how you look at it.”

“That sounds like an answer most boys your age couldn’t have come up with.”

Tiernan blushed slightly, then realized he was offended at the implication. “It’s something like what my mother has told me many times before. I guess I listen to her pretty well.” This comment was punctuated with a sullen scowl.

“Don’t take offense, boy. I’m impressed with you.”

“Maybe you’d be impressed with more boys my age if you’d listen to them.”

“You only say that because you haven’t met as many boys your age as I have.” The tinker chuckled softly. “Again, I apologize if you took offense. You’re quite right with your answer, though. It’s a tough thing to put a price on, but I need coin for my wares or else what sort of tinker would I be?”

“Yes, sir. I understand that, sir.”

“Tell you what, how about we strike a deal? I will sell you the lute for the amount you’ve saved so far plus your promise to help me while I get established in the city. I have a hunch you know you’re way around.”

“I do, sir. Absolutely. I run errands all over the market.”

“I’ll need you to stop that during the period of our arrangement. I need you helping me exclusively. For at least the next six months. What do you say?”

For a long moment, Tiernan just stared into the middle distance and thought. Finally, he responded, “I have to work at Lord Marol’s estate every day before I can come to you. That’s where mother and I live.”

“Do you live there as well?”

“We do.”

“Is it far?”

“Not very. I can show you if you like. There’s a lodger’s house on the estate that may have a vacancy.”

“Very well. It occurs to me that I’m about to enter into a business deal with someone who has not even given me his name.” Reaching out his hand, he said, “My name’s Landor. I’m originally from Carielle.”

“I’m Tiernan.” Tiernan replied as his hand was engulfed by the large man’s giant paw.

The trip to Marol’s estate was short and filled with conversation about the market and all that Tiernan has done and seen there. When they reached the gate, Landor stopped to talk to the steward standing watch, and Tiernan passed with a wave and raced away to find his mother.

“Mother! Mother!” His shouts filled the air, and his mother looked up from his work and broke into a grin.

“Tier! I’m here in back. What adventures did your day hold?” On her knees, leaning over the washing basin, Tiernan’s spirits dampened a bit as he saw how tired she was. As he realized that Landor’s proposition could mean that she had to work more and not less, his enthusiasm was crushed, and he became unsure of himself.

“What’s that face? You sounded like the Lord himself had sent you money from the clouds. Now you look sullen? What’s changed? Is this what seeing your mother does to you?”

Even though he knew she was joking, he found it hard to smile. “Well, the lute I’ve been saving for was sold today...right in front of me.” And so, in just a few minutes, he laid out the entire story for her. “And Landor is with the steward now asking about the lodger’s house.”

His mother smiled. “That sounds like a wonderful plan!” She hugged him, then inquired, “Why do you look so glum?”

“I just now thought of the extra work that would mean for you. I never meant that to be the case. I can still do my own chores, but I think Mister Landor will want me working for him the rest of the time.”

“Don’t you worry about me. I’ll be fine.” As she said this, she turned back to the wash basin and continued to scrub the clothes inside.

“How can I be sure?”

“I’ve worked long and hard for you. There’s nothing stopping me from doing it now. You’ll be grown someday, living somewhere else, what did you think I would do then?”

Even as it dawned on him that he would grow up and move on, he saw how tired she was even now. The thought of a time when he would leave her felt very far off.

Landor’s shout broke his contemplation. “Boy! Tiernan!”

“Go on, now,’ his mother said, “You’ve work to do.” She gave him a sad smile as he turned and ran toward the bellowed call.

“Now, I’ve spoken with your master’s man...What’s his name again?”

“Fenly, sir?” Tiernan offered, a hint of mild trepidation curling the edges of the question.

“Yes. That’s him. I’m taking up residence on the premises immediately. The rate’s a bear, but what’s a man to expect when he comes to the big city?”

“Yes, sir,” Tiernan’s response was more assured than his actual feelings on the matter. What did he know about prices from one city or the next? When he did courier jobs, they were all within the only market he’d ever seen. Even if he’d had the vaguest concept of economy, he would have had no idea how EverBright compared to Carielle or anywhere else, for that matter. As it turned out, none of this really mattered because Tiernan soon learned that Landor was much more interested in people listening to him than he was in being responded to.

Landor launched right into the particulars of the agreement he meant to make with Tiernan. “How much of your day is spent on the chores here, boy?”

“It takes me a couple hours in the morning to do my work, then I usually help my mother in the afternoons.”

“That won’t do at all.” Landor’s face pulled into a frown that Tiernan was already beginning to recognize. “Luckily, Fenly, threw your service into the price of my stay on the estate.”

Tiernan’s eyes widened at this news. “Really, sir?” The brightness in his voice cooled as he once again considered the consequences of such an action. “Who’ll do my part? I can’t do anything that would overburden my mother further.”

The smirk was evident in Landor’s voice as he reassured the boy. “No, no, Fenly tells me that his daughter is needing to begin doing work, and that she will take over for you here on the estate.”

“Cleal? I’ve never seen her do a bit of work.”

“Ha, ha. Well, it sounds like it’s about time she started. Now, to my expectations. Firstly, you will spent the next few days showing me all around the marketplace. Then, once I’ve chosen a spot to hawk my wares, you’ll come every morning to help me load new things into my cart, and you’ll accompany me to help set up of a morning in the market. Is there a park or pavilion near the marketplace?

Tiernan nodded as he spoke, “Yes, there are several actually, because Mayor Linkston loves gardens.”

“I’ve heard of her. I hear it said that when her husband was mayor, he died mysteriously, and it was easier to give her his position than force her from the mansion.

“She’s real scary, sir. The kind of eyes that see the truth whether you say it or not. The talk is that she knows how to run this town though.”

Landor agreed. “She’s one of the reasons I’ve come. They say she’ll treat a new comer fair so long as he’s fair in his dealings.”

Tiernan again nodded but did not speak.

“Now, after I’m set up in the mornings, you’re going to play that lute. I know you don’t know how yet, but I’ve got a plan. While you’re learning the thing, you’re going to practice in a park far enough from me not to be heard but close enough that you can check on me a few times throughout the day.”

“Really sir? That’s my job during the day?”

“Partially. See, once you’ve learned enough to play in public, you’re going to be playing for my patrons. I figure if I invest in you now, you’ll pay me back tenfold with the attention you’ll bring to the cart. Eventually, I’ll be able to afford a real mercantile, and I’ll see goods along with meals for travelers with you as the entertainment. Course this is quite a few years down the road, but I’ve got a big plan. I’ve also got a sense about you boy, and you’re meant for great things. I’m just hoping to ride your coattails to a little success of my own.”

By this time, Tiernan was completely speechless. “That sounds magnificent sir.”

“It does. Doesn’t it? Now, late each afternoon, I’ll expect you there to help me pack up and come home. How’s this all sound, boy?”

Tiernan worked his mouth up and down a few times as he tried to find a way to respond. “It sounds fantastic, sir.”

“Good. Get some sleep. We start early tomorrow. Oh, and take this with you. He brought the lute down from the post it clung to on the cart. You won’t need it tomorrow or the next day, but once I’m done scouting a place to perch, I expect you to have that with you at all times.”

“Absolutely.” Tiernan held the lute as if it were made of gold and fragile as an egg.

“There’s no need to carry it like that. Look,” Landor grasped it firmly and yanked it from the surprise boy’s light grip. “It’s got weight to it. It’s solid. The strings are the only thing that are delicate, but you’ll learn that soon enough. Here, let me help you adjust the strap.”

Once the lute was fixed around his neck and shoulder, Tiernan thought he’d never felt so powerful an embrace. The heft of the lute offered a comfort. It gave him a sense of stability that he leaned on even into the future when everything else in his life seemed unsure. “Good night, sir. Thanks.”

“Good night, boy.”

And, so, early the next morning, Tiernan began to work for Landor. They found a shady spot on the primary route to the marketplace. They were near enough that most of the foot traffic would see what Landor had to offer, but far enough away that he wasn’t overshadowed by his competition. Which was important because Landor had no name here, and so his wares would have to stand on their own. They did, too. Mostly, this was because he offered goods from his contacts in Carielle unlike what most of the other merchants were carrying. It was also due, though, in no short measure to Landor’s demeanor. He had a way of making customers feel like old friends. He was honest with his dealings and treated everyone with true dignity.

Of course, Tiernan was keeping up his end of the bargain at the same time. Landor had given him a book the first day the cart did business. The book was filled with illustrations and musical notations. For the first month, the sounds coming from the lute were painful for anyone in the park where Tiernan practiced. It took him most of that first month just to understand how to tune the instrument.

Landor had told him that he had a golden ear, and every morning, he would tune the boy’s lute. After a few strums, he would take it back out of tune and tell Tiernan to go off and practice tuning. Tiernan would spend large swaths of time just turning each knob then plucking a string. Over and over again until it was right. This period found him running back to Landor frequently to check his progress and demonstrate the correct sound. Again and again until his ear, too, could do this. Tuning with any sort of ease was still a long way off, but by the end of a month, Tiernan could get the lute in tune and keep it that way. At that point, he was able to turn to the book’s illustrations to learn about chording and other musical concepts.

Though it was hard to believe, Landor feigned total ignorance about playing the instrument. “I only learned to tune the things because I have an ear for tones, and they sell better if they sound better.”

“Surely, you tried it out at least a little.”

“Never more than some plunking around. I never took the time. lute’s are just one of the items I sell. I cannot give any of them all the attention they deserve. That’s why I sell things, so those things can find good, useful homes to reside.”

“Really?” Tiernan was doubtful regardless of the tinker’s insistence. “When I’ve got my lute in my hands, I can’t imagine wanting to do anything else with my time.”

Landor nodded, “And when I set up this stand and greet potential customers, I can’t imagine doing anything else with my time. It’s a calling, boy. Run to it.”

And run he did. For days that he could barely begin to count, he would help Landor set up the cart for the days sales, then spend the rest of his morning learning chords and butchering the songs in the book Landor gave him. His fingers blistered, but he carried on. At one point, they bled, so he was forced to rest them for a couple days. Two whole days without playing was like torture to him. When he could resist the urge no more, he took it up again and played through the pain. Calluses formed, and his fingers took on the look of a veteran player. Nimbly dancing on the lute neck with rough, hard pads of flesh. Still, it was over a year before the pattern changed. Being the tropical seaport that it was, even the coldest seasons in EverBright were warm enough for people to spend most of their day outside. So, Tiernan was never put off from his pursuits beyond those first days of his fingers getting used to their new task.

At first, he played sitting, one leg crossed over the other staring hard in turns at the neck of the lute and at the book. When he played, he wasn’t exactly in a trance, but he took no notice of the people around him. If he had, their looks of derision at the awful sounds he was banging out may have dissuaded him from his pursuits. As he began to become comfortable with the chording, his posture became more and more relaxed, and eventually, his shoulders stopped hunching over the books and fell back into a posture of confidence as he played. It was amazing to see what Tiernen was able to accomplish with his attention purely focused on this singular task.

Sure, he still saw his friends, but even when he, Clockwise, and Widdershins would run to play at the river or the beach, He would have his lute. The other boys vacillated between gape-mouthed admiration of Tiernan’s skill, and frustration when they felt ignored.

“Do you always have to play?” Widdershins remark held agitation.

“Yeah, Tier, it seems like everything we want to do lately is hampered by that instrument.” Clockwise, even in his patience, was growing frustrated.

“I know, guys. I’m sorry. But Landor expects me to be ready to entertain at his cart soon. Did I tell you that he never took any money for the lute? I really owe him, and I guess I just want to pay back his kindness.”

“Kindness?” Widdershins sputtered derisively.

“Hush it,” Clockwise reproached.

“No. What is it?” Tiernan was truly baffled at the negativity.

“You work for him all day everyday, and the wage you’ve gotten in return is one instrument. He’s not dealing fair with you.”

“Not dealing fair? Do you realize that I spend less than 2 hours a day with him?”

Widdershins looked down not meeting his eyes. He hadn’t meant to upset his friend, but that was happening anyway. At the next comment, though, he stopped feeling bad and started firing back.

“I spend most of my day practicing with this instrument. That’s my job. How can I be upset when my work is to spend time with what my wage has earned.”

“Do you have to spend ALL your time with it though?” Widdershins face was flushed and reddening further as he raised his voice.

“Better than spending it with the likes of YOU!” Tiernan was inching closer as he yelled. When Widdershins shoved him, he wasn’t too angry to be surprised. His butt hit the ground. but he did not roll over or fall onto his back. Instead, he curled forward. He had slung his lute behind him, and had the wherewithal to make sure it didn’t hit the ground.

Clockwise rushed to get between the two of them. His shout startled them both because he was usually so soft spoken. “Stop it!” The both stared at him. “This is not how friends behave. Widdershins, who’s your best friend in the world? Tiernan, who’s yours? Aren’t we all together? Shouldn’t we be able to work this out without fighting?” At these words, both the other boys lost their will to fight.

Widdershins walked forward and reached an arm to Tiernan. “Is your lute okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Hey, I’m sorry. I guess I just want to have fun like we used to, and we don’t get to do that much anymore.”

“I know,” Tiernan conceded, “I understand.” From now on, twice a week, I’ll leave the lute at home. It can’t be more than that because I’m still a long way from being where I want to be. Will that be alright?”

Both the twins smiled at this. That would be just fine.

His confidence in chording progressed into confidence in songs, so that near the end of his time at the park, Tiernan would leave the book back home and stroll the park as he played. He played the few songs of Tursdeg that the book offered with grace and accuracy, but they lacked the passion of a truly great player. It was only when he began to shape the chords into songs of his own that the passion became a fire that consumed him. It was when he was composing, right there in the open, that people would stop and listen. His melodies were infectious, and that was in part because his songs felt like EverBright. The listeners recognized themselves in his melodies. They heard the bustling of the market and the beauty of the gardens in his songs. They could smell the sea spray on the coast and could nearly touch the damp sand as he translated them with his strings. He didn’t even realize what was happening before his trips to the park came to an end.

It was on one of his last days at the park that he had a surprising encounter. He was playing and wandering around as usual. He had stopped in front of a fountain at the center of the park when a voice called to him.

It was weak, and a bit trembling. “There you are.”

Tiernan looked down from where he’d been staring. He saw the face of a girl he knew. He hadn’t known her well, but here she stood, tears rolling down round cheeks. She was 11. She had dark hair and green eyes. Being older and fully human, she was taller than him. She was someone he noticed because they lived at the same estate. However, since her father was the head of the household staff, her family had rooms inside the main house rather than in the far back of the land. “Cleal? Is everything alright?”

She nodded, took a moment to gather herself. “Your mother sent me.” A new round of tears began, “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? About What? Is something wrong with my mother?”

Cleal shook her head, but that was all the response she could make for a while.

Tiernan stopped playing then, and put a hand on her shoulder. “Whatever you’re sorry for, I’m sure it’s alright.”

“I hated you.” The words spilled in a gout. “So much. I hated how much more I had to work because of you. I hated the thought of you shirking your duties here to go off on some flight of fancy that would obviously amount to nothing because people like us, like you, servants don't get to do grand things like play instruments for crowds. When my father forced me to go to work because you starting to assist Landor. Then, I found out that while I was carrying buckets and buckets of water, you were playing around with a toy in the park. But, I didn’t realize. I’m sorry. You play so beautifully. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright.” He hugged her then because that’s what his mother did for him when he was sad. “I understand why you were angry. I’m glad you aren’t anymore.”

She pulled back from the embrace, took in his smile and cried again. “I feel badly for misjudging you. Now, I know better.”

“It’s okay. Did my mother need something?”

“Here.” She handed him a list. “She needs these things from the market before you come home. Sorry. Again.” With that, she wiped her cheeks, turned, and hurried away before he could say another word.

Two weeks before his ninth birthday, Tiernan was just turning to head to the park when Landor stopped him. “Tier.” He’d finally taken to using Tiernan’s nickname rather than just calling him, “Boy.” “We need to talk about your trips to the park. I’ve heard rumblings.”

“Oh, yeah?” Tiernan tried to sound nonchalant, but he assumed this was either really good or really bad news.

“They say you’ve been drawing crowds. You know what happens when crowds gather at the park?”

“No, sir.”

“Well, if the crowds are in the park, then they use up time there, and don’t have time to stop here and shop. Do you see how this could be a problem for me?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you have any idea how we might solve such a problem?”

Tiernan broke into a wide grin. “Well, sir, if you want the crowd here, then you should have the person drawing the crowd here.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Landor seemed quite self-satisfied. “We’ll have to make a proper announcement. One week from today. We will stay here late, and you will play to the crowds as they pass on the way home from the market. This way, we’ll not only draw the shoppers, but we’ll draw the people who work in the market as well. Hopefully, this will spread word faster.”

Tiernan was filled with a sudden rush of excitement and fear. Sure, he played in front of people before, but that was always more or less by accident. Always before, he played for himself, and since he was in the park, there were bound to be listeners. He never paid them any attention, though. In fact, he usually didn’t even notice them there.

This would be different. Landor was talking about telling people to come and hear him. He was going to be the reason people were turning up. In fact, Landor was counting on him to bring more profit to the man’s cart. Landor was counting on him to bring enough of the public that he might be able to afford a permanent shop in the market. (This, of course, was only partially true, since Landor had done a fine job of building his business reputation on his own, but Tiernan was not of a mind to be persuaded by such thoughts.) He had a week. In one week, he had to be ready to go from playing for himself to crafting an actual show. As daunting as the task seemed, he was also excited about deciding which songs to play and arranging them in their most harmonious order. Beneath it all, though, he still feared that it wouldn’t be enough. He didn’t trust himself enough yet, and so the weight of responsibility dampened the excitement but only a little.

That afternoon, as he caught up with his friends, he was full to bursting with the news. “Hey! I’ve got the greatest news!” His shouts were loud even from a distance as he raced toward Clockwise and Widdershins on the beach. The boys were shoeless with their pants rolled halfway up their calves walking along the shallow surf. Sometimes, the boys would earn extra money by collecting shells for a few different merchants that used them in their various baubles and jewelry.

Their heads snapped up at the sound, and their eyes widened as he barreled down the hill. “What’s got you so crazy?” Clockwise was smiling at him, while Widdershins had gone to inspecting a couple shells in his hand trying to determine if they were worth taking to the market.

“In one week, I will be performing at Landor’s cart for his customers!”

“Wow, that’s great!” Clockwise responded.

“Does he really have customers?” Widdershins questioned, “I mean, it’s a cart isn’t it? It’s not really a proper shop or anything? Aren’t you really just playing for people walking around on this street? Not much difference from the park, really.”

“Shut up.” Clockwise was quick to admonish.

“Well, that’s whole point, though.” Tiernan replied. “Unless they stop and look at his wares, they aren’t customers, but the way he figures it, my playing will cause folks to stop, and stopping will cause them to look around.”

“Oh,” Widdershins considered, “I hadn’t thought of it like that. Good for you. I mean it’s about time, anyway. You’ve been great for ages.”

Tiernan took the praise in stride, but inwardly, he wrestled with it, hardly believing it was genuine rather than the kind sort of thing a friend is supposed to say. “I don’t know about that, but thanks. I’m excited.”

“What did your mother say?” Clockwise asked.

“I haven’t told her yet. I figured I could tell her when I got home. Since we were planning to meet up and all. Plus, I wanted to tell you guys first. I thought you’d like to know that all that time practicing was finally paying off.”

“Well, that’s great. So, do you need to go practice, or do you want to hunt shells with us?” Widdershins was cautious with the question.

“Honestly, I’m excited and overwhelmed right now. I could use a break from it all.” The rest of that afternoon was spent combing the beach for shells that may be worth something in the market. It was a familiar task. It was one they all enjoyed because they were free to explore, and they made a little money from it. Tiernan’s mind was able to relax as he focused on the ground and searched for treasures that only excited those who weren’t yet burdened with the responsibilities of adulthood. But, the time when they would pass by such things without a second glance was faster approaching than any of the knew.

When he got home that evening, he was again absorbed with his news and searching for his mother to share it. She was again outside, bent over the same washbasin when his cries flooded her ear. “Mother! Mother!” As he tore through the estate lawn, he garnered a look of consternation and a shout of “Slow down!” from Fenly who had been carrying a rather large handful of linens from the line to assist his wife as she was hanging up more wash. His sour mood was not really on account of Tiernen, but much more because he believed the task he was currently engaging in was beneath his station. He was only doing it to keep his wife happy and made sure his mood made her aware of the fact.

Melody smiled at her boy as he ran up to her. Landor had spoken with her the day before about his decision, and she was barely able to contain her excitement last night. As she listened to his rushed recounting of the day’s events, she hoped her grin wasn’t so knowing as to betray that she had kept a secret from him last night.

“...and then he said I would have my first performance one week from tonight!” Tiernan’s excitement was unbridled. “I need to start making the song list right off. I want to be able to practice them in order to make sure they flow. Should I talk between songs? How do you think I should mix vocal songs and instrumentals? Should they have separate sections or should they be spread out? Should I not sing at all? I know that’s my weak point right now. Oh, I wish I knew someone who could sing along. Of course, many of the vocal songs are my own making. I don’t know what to do…” He trailed off when he noticed that his mother was laughing softly to herself.

“Tiernan,” she said, “it will all work out. Take a breath and sort through your questions one at a time.” She laughed again and hugged him to her. “You’re good, you know. I’ve been paying attention to your practicing around the house. Just believe in yourself, and it will all be fine.”

Tiernan beamed. If the praise he got from his friends warmed him, then his mother’s praise was like the sun itself. “Thank you. I didn’t know if you were paying attention or not. I’m glad you were. Will you be there to see me play?”

“I must speak with Lord Marol first, but I intend to be there. I think he’ll be quite understanding.”

“That’s great! I love you!”

“I love you too my little musician. Now, go get that list ready.”

With that, Tiernan ran off toward their house, and his mother went back to the washing. By the time she’d made her own way home, Tiernan was sixth iteration of the song list. “Have you made any decisions?” She asked as she walked in the door.

“I think so. The beginning and the end are ready, but the middle is a mess. I think I’m going to go for a walk to think it out.”

“That sounds fine, but remember, supper will be ready soon. Don’t be too long.”

“I won’t.” The door slammed on the words, swallowing them as he disappeared through it.

He’d narrowed the song list to ten songs, five from the Tursdegan book he learned from and five of his own. Of these, six contained vocals, three of his own and three learned. Of the three he learned, only “The Valley Down” still gave him trouble. The refrain was a bit too high, and struggled with it regularly. Still, the music was mesmerizing, and because he loved to play it, he just couldn’t leave it off the list.

All of this was running through his head when he caught sight of Cleal carrying water to the house. “Let me help!” he called and ran up to her.

“I’ve got this.” she told him, “It’s my job, and I’ll do it.”

“I’m sorry,” Tiernan said softly. “I didn’t mean to upset you. How many more buckets do you need?”

“Just two.”

At that, Tiernan took off toward the well as Cleal continued back to the house.

Tiernan’s rush meant that when he got to the house with the water, Cleal was still inside.

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know. I just need to burn off some of this excitement.”

“Excitement over what?,” she inquired.

He then proceeded to again tell the story of the day’s events. “I’m glad I found you. I was hoping to invite you and your father to come.”

She smiled. “I wouldn’t miss. Father may be a different story, though. He is usually always busy. Perhaps I can go with your mother.”

“I’m sure that would be fine with her. I’ll mention it to her tonight. I’m glad you’re coming. I want as many friendly faces as I can find.”

“It’s exciting. To think, someone I know is going to be a real performer.” She walked away humming. It wasn’t until later that Tiernan would recognize the tune.

He continued walking that evening for several hours. Everything familiar had taken on an air of unreality as he viewed it from the lenses of his joy. The fear had scampered off like a rabbit as it often does when it’s faced down. He returned home exhausted and slept.

The next morning, Landor had another surprise of sorts for him. “Tier, I want you to stay here and practice for the rest of the week. I want those used to hearing you in the park wondering where you’ve gone. I have a shop in the market preparing a sign that I will hang today or tomorrow to advertise your big debut. You need the practice, and I need to create some excitement.”

“Don’t you want me to help you set up?”

“I can manage. Now, get to that lute.” With that, the tinker turned and left. It was six days until the show, and Tiernan barely caught of sight of Landor over for the next four of them. He had a sense that Landor wanted to to build up excitement in himself as well.

Tiernan spent the days in constantly shifting state of panic or ease. It seemed there was no explanation for when either emotion would come upon him, so his heart rose and sank of its own accord. When he and Landor again spoke only one day separated him from his debut, and he was rattled. He stormed to Landor’s lodgings in the middle of the evening. “Landor!” Tiernan shouted as he rapped on the door.

Landor opened the door with the calm necessary to rebut Tiernan’s chaos. “Hello. How can I help you tonight?” Landor motioned for the boy to come in, and Tiernan launched into the problem.

“I can’t do it. I can’t make the song work. There it is, right in the middle of the song list, and it’s broken. I can’t fix it.”

“So, cut it out,” Landor suggested.

“I can’t do that either. The music is too good to leave out. I tried it in a lower key, and it loses something then, too.” Tiernan was practically in tears at this point. He slumped down onto a rug in front of Landor’s hearth. Looking into the small fire the tinker used primarily for light, Tiernan slumped his shoulders in defeat and went silent.

“It’s only one song. Why are you so worked up?”

He shook his head. “I just want it to be perfect. I know it’s not going to be. That’s what I know.”

“Are you intending to give me less than your best? If so, then I was wrong to ever hire you on.”

“My best isn’t good enough.”

“For whom?” Landor asked in a scolding tone.

“For me. For you. For mother. For anyone who stops to listen. I’m as likely to send people away as draw them in.”

“So, are you intending to break our agreement? Is that it?”

“No, sir.”

“Then stop all this nonsense. You have a binding deal with me, and the night after tomorrow, you will play. Do what you like about the song you’re concerned with, but you will play. Do you understand that?” The tone in Landor’s voice made the question a rhetorical one.

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Now, go practice that song. It sounds like you need it.”

Tiernan got up, and as he reached the door, fingers on the handle, he turned back. “I hope this wasn’t a mistake for you.”

“I hope the same, and I don’t believe it was. Good night, Tier.”

“Good night, sir.”

The slump in his shoulders didn’t fix itself as he walked out. Head down, sulking, he trudged back toward his house and his lute. As he did, his ear began to notice something. He heard singing. It was a beautiful high soprano. It was singing the words of “The Valley Down”

“We stroll into the valley down

Below the watchful eye

My love’s affection forms a crown

And wings on which I fly”

Not only was the voice singing it. It was shaping into something near perfection. Whoever she was, she was remarkable. He followed the sounds and found them coming from the kitchens where he had helped his mother wash dishes so many times. As he got to the doorway, he stood with a shocked expression on his face. Backed turned toward the door, he saw a girl who was just a bit older than him pouring buckets of water into a basin to be heated for washing.

“Cleal?”

Cleal started at the noise and turned. “Oh, hello Tiernan, what brings you here tonight?”

“Your singing. Your voice. It’s incredible. You never told me you sang.”

“I don’t really. I only really sing this one song that my mother sang to me when I was very young. It’s called…

“The Valley Down,” they finished in unison.

“Oh, you know it?” Her shy smiled made him think he’d embarrassed her.

“It’s one of the first songs I learned. The melody is so high, though. I can play it, but I’ve never sung like that.” The idea crept up to him then, and he seized it. “Hey, do you want to be part of my show?”

“Uh...what?”

“Come on. It’ll be easy. You said you’ve been singing the song your whole life. We can practice tomorrow. I will help you with your work, and we can do this.”

“I don’t think so, Tiernan.” She started out the door and he followed her.

“Why not? You’re voice is amazing. I need you. I can’t do the song alone the way it should be done.”

“My father would never allow it. He’d be embarrassed. He’s so proper.”

“What if I talked to him for you?” Tiernan urged her with his question.

“He’ll never agree, but you can try if you want.”

Tiernan left straight away, however, he did not head to see Fenly. Instead, he went back to Landor. When Landor opened the door this time, he saw the boy grinning ear to ear. “Landor, I’ve come up with a solution, but I need your help.”

“Absolutely not!” Fenly bellowed at the first hint of Landor’s request. “I won’t have my daughter up on a stage embarrassing herself or this family.” The always proper man had worked hard to bring himself up from a lowly servant to the head of this household staff. There was little prestige to be had for the lower class in EverBright, and it generally required special skills that tagged them as potential soldiers or craftsmen. Fenly had used his innate understanding of organization and his inborn desire for structure to distinguish himself amongst the other servants. “I have scraped up at least a little honor for this family name, and I will not have it tarnished.”

Landor decided to lean a little. “It would be too bad if Lord Marol lost so profitable a lodger as myself. If everything goes well with this, I will be moving to a permanent store soon and looking for investors. I guess I’ll have to look elsewhere.”

“You wouldn’t do such a thing. You know as well as I do that Lord Marol gives you the best opportunity to be successful simply because of the rapport you have already built. No one else will see the potential you represent. You’ll be cheated by anyone else.” Fenly had correctly called his bluff, but Landor had another ploy.

“Very well. I wonder if Lord Marol would let me hire out another of his servants. If only I could think of someone.”

“You wouldn’t.” Fenly recognized that Landor could do this and take all the decision making out of his hands.

“I wonder how a girl would feel to know that her father expected to be ashamed of her voice. I can’t imagine those would be good feelings.” Even Tiernan felt a little squeamish as he listened to this. He was too young to understand the depths to which manipulation could delve, and his first glimpses of it were unnerving.

“I never said...” Fenly started, then stopped realizing that his words could be interpreted that way. “I didn’t mean…” He stammered then stopped. “Oh, very well. It’s just one song, right?”

“Yes, sir,” Tiernan replied. “And don’t worry, sir. Cleal sounds amazing.”

“Excuse me? Do you think I’ve not heard my daughter sing? I know how she sounds. I don’t need you or anyone else to tell me. You just be careful she doesn’t show you up!” This complete turnabout was confusing to Tiernan, but it wouldn’t be to anyone who’s been a father before. Even the notion that he had slighted his daughter caused a vicious back pedal.

“Thank you, sir. I’ll leave you to your work and let her know.”

“Just be careful to make sure your playing sounds as good as her voice.”

Cleal was shocked at how quickly her father had caved in. “I can’t believe he just said ‘Yes’ as easy at that.”

“Well, to be honest,” Tiernan replied, “he was dead set against it at first, then Landor reminded him that he could just hire you out from Lord Marol the way he had me, and I guess your father just wanted to give you his blessing rather than have you sing without him having any say at all.”

“That sounds about right. He likes to feel like he’s in charge of everything.”

“Well, he kind of is,” Tiernan granted. “He loves your singing, though. He told us.” Tiernan thought it best not to mention her father’s fear of embarrassment. He didn’t want her to misinterpret it the way that he had. “So, we’ll start practice tomorrow.”

The next day was spent with Tiernan and Cleal sharing chores and practicing. Since Cleal was used to singing the song acapella, the only major hurdle was getting down the timing. The morning was spent on that task. The afternoon was filled with repetition. By the early evening, the song was ready and so were they.

“That’s great. Now, save your voice for tomorrow night.” Tiernan walked Cleal to the door of the main house. “I really appreciate you helping me out with this.”

“Helping you? I guess, but this is the kind of thing I’ve only been able to dream of. Thank you for asking me to be a part of it.” With that, Cleal went in to have dinner with her family, and Tiernan headed home as well.

“Are you ready?” His mother asked after he finished up he meal.

“I am. We are. I just need to rest now.” With that, he went to bed exhausted.

The next day seemed to fly. Before he knew it, he and Cleal were heading to Landor’s stand talking with a rapidity brought on by nerves.

“Okay, so, will you announce me before I come up?” Cleal asked.

“I’m going to do the first couple songs. Then, I will have you come up as a special guest. Of course, I could push it to the end if you think it would be awkward to come on and go off in the middle.”

“No,” Cleal told him, “I want to see you finish on your own. This is your show.”

“Okay. Then just wait for me to announce you.” As they got to the cart, they saw the sign leaned against the front, declaring: “LIVE MUSIC: TIERNAN EVERBRIGHT”

“Tiernan...EverBright,” Cleal laughed, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ambling from the other side of the cart, Landor answered with a big smile. “It’s a stage name. It tells your listeners where your from and where your inspiration was born. Plus, if you’re popular and play other cities, EverBright will always be able to claim you.”

“Okay,” Tiernan’s response was relenting if not convinced. “When do you want me to start?”

“Start when you like. I think that the music will draw people in. I’m not really expecting a crowd to show up and wait for you...not yet, anyway. Perhaps, sometime down the road, when the name Tiernan Everbright is known all around the city. Then, I will worry about crowds and when you should start. For now, play when you like.”

“Okay, I think I’ll just wait for my mother then.”

“Fine. Fine.”

Tiernan turned and began tending to his lute, tuning the strings and warming up his fingers. As he did, he saw his mother walking his way. He smiled and waved.

She came to him, “Are you ready?”

“I think so. I’ve certainly practiced enough.”

“Good luck, then. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” With that, Tiernan turned and looked out. As he stood in front and just off to the side of the cart, he realized this was nothing like the grandeur of the party where he watched Dilou first perform. No, this was still just a street. There were people coming and going, very few of which stopped to peruse what Landor had to sell. Even as he began to question why he was here, he began to lightly pick out the first few notes of his opening number. He chose the sort of song that starts simple and builds to a grand swell that cannot help but be noticed. It was called “Midfair Day,” and it was bound to be known by most of the people passing. The few people who were there specifically to watch him, his mother, Cleal, Clockwise and Widdershins, all began to nod their heads to the rhythm as the tentative opening grew into a jaunty bounce.

The passages in the song were supposed to emulate the trail through a midway. The front entrance, the food vendors, the games of chance, all building one on another into a cacophony of ebullience that hearkened its hearers to the mad happiness and laughter brought on by indulgence only to come to an abrupt and surprising end.

Tiernan threw himself into the tune. Truth be told, his cadence was not steady and his pace was break neck by the end. While he played it, he took no notice of who was or was not there, it was only the lute and the song. They seized all his attention. So much so that when it was over, he was more surprised than anyone who’d been listening.

Then came the applause, and they felt good. He looked up and saw that there were a handful of strangers applauded along with those he’d invited. At first, he was overwhelmed by the new emotion that came from those claps, but he soon reined that in, and offered a small “Thank you.” I would like to play more songs for you if that’s alright. Again, more applause. He strummed a chord and his voice joined in softly gliding over the peaceful strums like a fall leaf on a stream turning lazily in calm course.

The counterpoint of this sweet song to the raucous tenor of the first had the desired effect. He had drawn them in, and now they were listening. Of course, the size of the listening group was ever fluctuating. Numbers of people weaving into and out of the area of Landor’s cart. Tiernan paid no mind to whether this did anything for Landor’s business, nor did he pay attention to anything else beyond the songs. Even the introduction of Cleal and their duet flowed into and out of his awareness smoothly. He thought he saw Fenly watching them while she sang, but even that he couldn’t be sure of. Though he had planned for and played ten songs, it was still over more quickly than he could have imagined. And when he looked up, with the final chords still ringing into the air, he saw no fewer than a hundred people standing and watching him play. The applause seemed thunderous to his ears, though later others who were around would give a more accurate account of the show, one that was glowing but not overflowing with the adrenaline-induced eyes of the performer.

It was over, but he knew he would do it again soon. This made the melancholy of the moment subside. “Thank you! Thank you! I will be back again to play tomorrow. I hope to see you then.” As he casually flipped his lute over his shoulder to rest against his back, he was greeted with a line of handshakes, well wishes, and congratulatory remarks. His name was not likely to become a household word in the near future, but the town of EverBright had a likeable new showman on the scene.

As most of the strangers wandered out of Tiernan’s life and back to their own stories, one woman waited patiently. When Tiernan turned to her, he looked up at her face and was startled to see Mayor Linkston looking down at him. “I had a bit of shopping to do today, son, and I am certainly glad my path led this way. That was wonderful.”

“Thank you, Mayor. I’m not sure what to say.”

“Your performance did all the talking that was necessary. I hope to see you again soon. Good night.”

“Good night, Ma’am.” As she turned and walked away, Tiernan shared shocked looks and excited laughter with Clockwise and Widdershins.

Cleal walked up to the group of boys. “Was that Mayor Linkston?” The question was greeted with furious nods and stifled giggles. “I can’t believe that. It’s incredible.”

“I know.” Tiernan replied. “She said she wanted to see my play again. It was amazing.”

“So, why are you all laughing?” Cleal asked as she let out her own chuckle.

“It’s all so ridiculous! An important person like that, coming to see a little boy.” Widdershins explanation got them going again.

“And a half halfing at that!” Tiernan shouted. This sobered the rest of them up. “What’s wrong?” Tiernan asked still riding the last waves of laughter.

“Nothing.” Clockwise said.

“It’s just our mum said not to talk about that.” Widdershins added.

“About what? The fact that I’m going to be short? What’s it to me. There’s my mother right there.” At this, Melody turned from her conversation with Fenly to listen to them. “What do you have against her?”

“Nothing, Tier, of course.” Clockwise said. “It’s just our mother is old fashioned. She doesn’t think it’s right that halflings and humans live together. She won’t even let us hang around you except that we promise not to mention that part of you.”

“Are you ashamed to have me as a friend?

“Not us, Tier. It’s our mum.” Widdershins started.

“If it was just your mother, then why was it you who got all quiet at the mention of the word ‘halfling?’ That’s not the sort of friendship I need.”

Cleal broke in, then, trying to calm things down. “Hey, they didn’t mean anything. It was stupid of them.”

“What about you?” Tiernan asked. He was suddenly irrational.

“What about me? I’ve never treated you badly except over the work I had to pick up so you could do just what you did tonight. I’ve already apologized about that, and I’m not likely to do it again.”

Tiernan realized then that he was letting some unnamed rage take his emotions. “You’re right. I know. I’m sorry, Cleal. Guys, I’m sorry.”

There were mutters of, “Okay.” and “It’s alright.” from the boys, but Cleal just walked away to stand by her father.

“Come on, son.” Melody took Tiernan from the middle of the fray. “It’s been a busy day, and it’s late. It’s time we got some sleep.” Tiernan followed her, his mind raging over all the emotions of the day, good and bad.

“I almost ruined a great day. I, just, I see no shame in who I am. Why must people treat us like halflings differently?”

Melody groped for an answer to give him, but she knew that nothing she said was good enough. “I don’t know, son. I know that there are people who treat us as equals, and those are the kinds of people we surround ourselves with. Other people don’t matter all that much. You can let the talk of others ruin this great day for you. Look, Mayor Linkston was impressed with you tonight. Clearly, she doesn’t care about what you may or may not be.”

“Yeah, but is that because I can play music? Write songs?”

“I don’t know. I’ve heard she treats everyone fairly.”

“I hope you’re right.” He told her. The tone of his voice was one of resolve rather than resignation, though, because he was beginning to feel better about the whole ordeal.

“In fact, I don’t think that’s what really got you upset. You know, I may not know what it’s like to be a boy growing into a man, but I can see that you’re looking to men like Landor to learn from. I don’t know what they can teach you, but I do know that none of them will be like really having a father, and I’m sorry for that. I don’t think there’s any way to change that.”

Tiernan looked at her with a brave face, stained only by a single tear streak. “You’re all I need. Don’t ever forget that.”

Even though she knew it wasn’t true, Melody smiled because he believed it, and for now, that was enough for her.