Lafayette: The Bard

As she settled on her bed, she flashed back to an earlier moment when her mother, Queen Amarissa, had paused and expressed, "Felissa, I know you might be resentful towards me, and I understand."

Silence filled the room as the Queen continued, "Just know that you're always in my heart," softly touching her own chest to emphasize the depth of her emotions, "and... I will always love you, Felissa.

Everything I've ever done, hiding you, is to protect you. And I will always keep doing it, even if you will keep hating me for it." With that final statement, she held her daughter's hand, tears streaming down her face.

Present moment, Felissa teared up and smiled simultaneously, expressing, "I love you too, Mother."

• Lafayette •

A man sprinted in sheer terror, glancing anxiously over his shoulders as if pursued by a monstrous entity. Fear gripped him so intensely that he couldn't stop running, driven by an instinct to escape an unseen menace.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure materialized before him, and the man's eyes widened with terror and desperation. Trembling and pleading for mercy, he begged, "Please, please."

The dark figure extended a dark chain slithering towards the terrified man, ensnaring him from neck to legs. As the chain leached his life essence, the man's existence flickered before his eyes. Vibrating with force, the chain abruptly unwound, and the lifeless body thudded to the ground.

Starael, emanating a sinister aura, commenced an ominous and inharmonious laughter. The echoes of various voices intertwined in his maniacal amusement, resonating with a chilling "Hahahahahahahahahaha."

Empowered and invigorated, he felt stronger, convinced of his unstoppable might.

After burying the unfortunate man in a shallow grave, Starael dissipated into a whirling mass of black shadows.

.....

Starael had chosen a tranquil refuge in the unassuming village of Lafayette, where ordinary humans coexisted in peace and harmony. Embraced by the villagers with genuine love, they treated him like one of their own, oblivious to the darkness that lurked within him.

Despite his attempts at control, the insatiable darkness often overcame him.

After dusk, he would be compelled to carry out heinous acts against the villagers who toiled late into the night and heading back home.

Despite his dark secret, Starael formed little to no connections in the village.

...

One evening, Starael ventured toward the village tavern, Lidenvale, drawn by the melodic harmony of a voice and a lute wafting through the air. The bard's song echoed captivating lyrics:

(Oh, kind-hearted grace, in beauty's glow,)

(In the soft echoes, your virtues flow.)

(Dance in sunlight, under skies serene,)

(The kindness within you, a tranquil scene.)

Moving closer to the tavern's entrance, the melody grew louder, inviting Starael into the heart of Lidenvale's simple atmosphere.

(In kindness draped, a gentle gaze, A pretty soul in a sunlit blaze.)

Entering the tavern, Starael immersed himself in the ongoing music, he sat on an empty wooden chair facing a wooden table.

(Whispers speak of deeds untold, Her story painted in colors bold.)

Looking around, his gaze stopped at the bard passionately singing when a waitress approached Starael and inquired "Good day sire, what shall I bring you from the Kitchen?".

(Oh, kind-hearted grace, in beauty's glow,)

(In the soft echoes, your virtues flow.)

He was unresponsive to her, he just fixated on the musical sound that was soothing to his dark soul.

(Dance in sunlight, under skies serene,)

(The kindness within you, a tranquil scene.)

However, not everyone shared Starael's appreciation for Tegan's performance.

Most people present in the tavern weren't having it at all, they started murmuring and booing the bard saying all sorts of deterring statements like "You're bad at this young man", another said "go start a real trade and make some money, not this!" pointing towards the bard and bursting into laughter with the others, another person said "no no, what are you doing mate, someone kick this lad out of here".

Tegan – the bard was diligently and passionately doing his own thing, immersed in and enjoying his own poetic melody.

(In pretty smiles and laughter's tune, A melody that warms the moon.)

The song wasn't bad at all, it wasn't just to the people's taste, Tegan couldn't just stop singing, it was now an intrinsic part of him ever since his parents' lives were claimed during a war.

He found solace in singing and playing his lute, he's been doing that while traveling the realms playing all around even as he knew that many people don't like and understand his type of sound.

He was almost always sent out everytime he performs but he really didn''t care at all.

(Footsteps light, like petals fall, Leaving kindness, a sweet recall.)

As he was still carrying on with his performance, two obviously intoxicated men started staggering towards the bard, one saying "we've had enough of your shit", the other saying "it's time to leave now lad" clapping his hands and pointing his hand towards the tavern's exit.

(Whispers of warmth, a gentle breeze, In the garden of kindness, beneath the trees.)

Tegan on the other hand pretended like he didn't see or hear them, he continued doing his own thing. As one of them wanted to drag the bard out by force "I said get..." before he could finish his words and demonstrate his actions.

(A portrait painted, in colors bright, In every act of kindness, a radiant light.)

Starael, sensing the tension, gripped the drunk man's hand tightly, squeezing it, the two drunk men were utterly shocked Simultaneously saying "how did you get..." before they both could finish their statements.

(Oh, kind-hearted grace, in beauty's glow, In the soft echoes, your virtues flow.)

Starael discreetly used his power on one of the duo, the action that sent the drunk man soaring towards the exit of the tavern.

(Dance in sunlight, under skies serene, The kindness within you, a tranquil scene.)

Upon landing on his butt at the exit, he started seeing stars. Stunned he said drunkingly "what just ha...." he did not get to finish his statement when he passed out.

(Through the years, her name does ring, A melody of kindness, like a song to sing.)

The second drunk man eyes cleared immediately, he looked at Starael in total disbelief but did not have enough time to process what just happened. He frantically ran towards his friend sprawled on the floor that just passed out calling his name while shaking his body "Titus!, Titus!, Titus!, wake up!".

(Legends of compassion, as the day transcends, A pretty soul, on kindness it depends.)

The bard was seeing the whole commotion but continued with his performance, meanwhile Starael looked at the duo with disdain and scoffed "Titus?, he is not even worthy of the name".

(Oh, kind-hearted grace, in beauty's glow, In the soft echoes, your virtues flow.)

Starael made his way back to where he was seated, still hearing the name "Titus" and the music altogether when all of a sudden the man that passed out jolted awake, quickly sat up , clearly disoriented, blurted out "where am I?".

(Dance in sunlight, under skies serene, The kindness within you, a tranquil scene.)

Did he hit his head or something, no one knows for sure but seems the man wasn't aware of his surroundings, he may have developed a temporary memory loss from the shock of the hit.

(So dance in kindness, oh gentle friend, In the tapestry of goodness, let your spirit blend.)

The second drunk man picked him so they could leave, as they scurried to leave, Starael heard "you just wait!, we'll be back for you", Starael ignored the threats remaining indifferent whatsoever as they departed from the tavern.

(In the heart of beauty, where compassion grows, A kind and pretty legend, for...eeever glows.)

As Tegan concluded the final verse of his song, a genuine smile adorned his face, mirroring the satisfaction of a soul connected with his art.

After a while, Starael decided to retreat to his resting place. However, amidst the ambient sounds — different sounds or noise from the tavern, a persistent voice broke through, calling, "excuse me, excuse me." Tegan hurriedly approached, catching up with Starael and gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

Starael, slightly frowning, glanced back, inwardly musing, 'The bard?'

Tegan, eager to express his gratitude, began, "I am sorry, uhh... My name is Tegan. Thank you so much for what you did back there. No one has ever stood up for me like that. You are really nice. Can you tell me your name so I know how to address y—" Starael just offered a nod before briskly departing not letting the bard finish his statement.

Tegan, left to finish his sentence awkwardly, muttered, "Yoouu...," contemplating, "Is a name too much to ask?. Hmm... I guess I'll just call him 'stranger.' He sure looks mysterious." Tegan pressed his lips together, shifting them upward as he concluded, "Stranger it is."

Tegan pondered and soliloquized about the encounter as he retraced his steps back into the tavern.

• Kingdom Of Sibiah •

(• Severus's Gambling Den •)

"Argghhhh" a woman sitted on wooden torture chair, two thick rounded woods in between her legs cried out in pain. I said answer me, swinging his right hand. !slaps!.

A man hit her on the face demanding to know something which she's obviously not willing to disclose.

He signaled the two big men behind her to carry on with the torture.