He makes his way down the darkened street on his way to the inn. This far into the Empire, he needs to be extra careful, their agents are everywhere. He has just come from a meeting, that should its agenda be known, would surely mean his death. But he’s played this game far too long to let a little thing like death be an obstacle.
Many people know him by many different names, here he’s simply Kir, a traveling musician who makes his way by playing at various inns. This persona has blonde hair and slightly darker skin than he’d originally been born with, a result of just the right mixture of dyes and other solutions. The overall appearance is that of someone from the southern region of the Empire.
Lately, the other players in the game have begun to suspect him, as the last attempt on his life proves. How many more effective years he may have has yet to be seen, but through his long years as an agent, he’s learned the art of disguise and misdirection well.
With his instrument over his shoulder he continues down the street to his current engagement at the Wallowing Swine. A none too classy establishment, its environment fits in well with what he’s here to accomplish.
As he approaches the inn, several people standing outside the Wallowing Swine wave to him as he draws near. He’s a favorite around these parts, many wonder just what brings him back to this same inn time and again. They’re sure that a singer of his talents would be welcome in any of the finest inns in the city. When asked about it, he just replies that he likes it here.
A slave dressed in the regular slave garb, loin cloth and nothing else, stands at the door and opens it for him. “Thank you,” Kir tells him. The slave gives him a grin as he passes by. Kir is one of the few people who treat slaves decently, most don’t even acknowledge their existence, which has earned him their help in various ways.
The smoke filled common room is crowded, always is on nights he’s performing. He makes his way through the crowded room to the stage, many people call out to him or offer hellos. Returning their greetings, he finally reaches the stage and gets his chair situated just where he likes it.
Next to the chair is a stand where he rests his instrument when not in use. Once everything is set, he leaves the stage and goes over to the bar where one of the slaves has already set out a plate of food for him and a mug of wine. Nothing too much, he can’t afford to stuff himself before a performance. The quality of his music will suffer for it if he does.
This is his last night before he heads out, could be why it’s so packed. Word gets around when he’s here and no one wants to miss out hearing him.
“Sure wish you could stay longer,” Kalim, owner of the Wallowing Swine says to him.
“I know,” replies Kir. “But I have other engagements in which I’m committed, I’m sorry to say. I should be back in a couple months.”
“Good,” replies Kalim. “Always a full house when you are here.”
Kir just flashes him a grin before taking one last swallow of the wine. Moving away from the bar, he makes his way back to the stage amidst a smattering of applause. As he takes his seat and removes his instrument off the stand next to him, the room becomes quiet as every eye is fixed upon him.
He starts out with a lively tune, a favorite of the locals and soon has them slapping the tables to the beat, some even sing along.
As he continues through his repertoire of songs, the house slaves move among the patrons, filling glasses and seeing to their every need.
After his fourth song, a long love ballad that always gets the ladies in the room misty eyed, someone calls out for a new song. Others join in the cry and he says, “Very well. Here’s one I learned not too long ago from a traveler who had come a long ways.”
He begins the song, a catchy tune with a chorus that’s easy to learn. When he begins the second verse…
Crash!
…a slave drops a tray which had held a pitcher of ale and several mugs. As he continues the song, he looks toward the sound of the breaking pottery and sees the slave standing there, staring at him.
A strange look upon his face, the slave begins to come toward him.
One of the workers at the inn makes his way through the crowd toward the slave, all eyes now on the slave who’s approaching Kir. “Back to work!” yells the worker to the slave.
Kir can see from the expression on the worker’s face that the slave is going to be severely punished, not only for the breaking of the pottery, but for not heeding his words.
Suddenly, the slave notices the worker coming for him and breaks into a run toward Kir.
Stopping the song, he gets to his feet and begins backing away from the fast approaching slave as other workers move to intercept him. The patrons begins shouting their displeasure at the actions of the slave and one even throws a bowl, hitting the slave in the head but not slowing him down.
Just as the slave reaches the edge of the stage, he’s tackled by another worker. Crying out, he reaches out for Kir, speaking in a language he’s unfamiliar with as a second worker joins the first.
They begin pummeling him until he becomes quiet and then drag him away. Before they take him completely from the room, the slave looks back to Kir, the expression on his face can only be one of pleading.
After the slave is removed, Kir resumes his seat and starts the song over again. By the time he’s finished two more songs, the mood of the inn has returned once more to the jovial one it had enjoyed before the disturbance.
As he continues through song after song, the incomprehensible actions of the slave continue to play over and over in his mind.