Posted by Kirdina_the_elf on 01-06-2009 - 01:48 AM
Chapter Two: Kinar
The village of Kinar was a large one. It was built around a beautiful stone well with an intricate wooden covering to keep it shaded. Surrounding three-fourths of the village was farmland while the rest of the village sat on the edge of a large lake. As Kirdina neared the village music filled the air and high in the sky were flags and ribbons. Towards the end of the path leading into the village were brightly colored lanterns not yet lit. A large banner written in the common tongue “Happy Spring!” was strung above the entranceway in a bold blue with paintings of butterflies and birds. Kirdina was greeted by many jolly faces upon entering bustling village. Smiles and laughter seemed prominent everywhere she looked. As the young elf walked into the very busy center of the town she was overwhelmed with the amazing smell of food.
“There are stands everywhere Maki!” she exclaimed, excited. “I don’t know where to begin my feasting!”
“Why don’t you start with the one closest to you.” He said, almost in a laugh. Maki could at times seem amused with the young elf. Perhaps even get caught acting as a parent would to a child.
“Ah! Great idea!” Kirdina reached into her pouch pulling out a few copper and ran to the closest food vender. The hobbit tending the stand smiled at her.
“Would ye like to try some of my smoked fish? I just caught them early this morning! Only one copper a fish.” he gestured to the deliciously appealing fish, smoked and ready to eat on little sticks.
“Yes!” she exclaimed. “I’ll take three!” She handed over the money and picked out the three largest fish. Carrying two in one hand and one in the other she continued on her way through the town, taking ample bites as she walked.
She made her way towards the center of town, taking in her new beautiful surroundings. The houses and shops were made of intricate cobblestone design, while the small pathways in-between were lined with planted shrubs, tiny ribbons dangling from their branches. A well of boastful sorts sat in the middle of Kinar with a detailed wooden covering. The well was large and festive with decorations carefully woven around it. Circling the area were stone benches, each one different and unique. This seemed to be a particularly favorite spot for children. Many kids, mostly hobbits, ran around the well with long sticks, ribbons tied to the ends of them. Some of the children sat more content on the benches, eating a sort of treat or giggling with their friends. Kirdina smiled. She picked up Maki who had been dangling patiently at her side. Finishing up the last of her fish she made her way towards the well, picking up speed as she grew closer. With a running leap the nimble elf jumped over the bench two children were sitting on clearing it with room spare, as she neared the ground she spun into a somersault, landing with a roll in front of the bench and springing to her feet. With great skill she jumped up backwards, onto the edge of the well, balancing herself gracefully. She could see all their faces gleaming with excitement. She could hear squeals of surprise as they jumped to their feet, clapping their little hands.
Five other children had immediately rushed over to where the young elf stood seeing her stunt from the corners of their eyes. Now seven small faces looked to the elf, awaiting an introduction of some sort.
“Greetings young hobbits!” Kirdina said with a low and exaggerated bow. “And to thee, young human as well.” she winked to the only human child within the group and the lot of them giggled.
“Are you a performer?” One of the girls braved to ask, holding hands with the human girl.
“A performer of sorts, I can do simple tricks.” Kirdina twirled Maki who grumbled angrily, tossing him up, spinning with him, and suddenly causing him to disappear in the blink of an eye. The children gasped. Kirdina couldn’t help but smile. It was a simple trick to her, a flick of the wrist, a sleight of the hand, but to her young audience it was nothing short of magick.
“Where did it go?” she heard one of them whisper.
“It’s behind her!” the human girl cried out, thinking she had solved the mystery.
“Behind me you say?” Kirdina gave a spin to show their was nothing behind her. The children grew more excited. “Perhaps up my sleeve?” Kirdina pushed up both of her long baggy sleeves
“Where is it?” one of the children begged. Three more children from the well area had run over to join the group now.
“Where is it?” another one chirped.
Kirdina gave a laugh, flashing a beautiful smile, and with another jump, tuck, spin and land she was right next to a child. She moved her arms dramatically in the air, the children watching with anticipation. With sudden energy she twisted her hands, gave a little sputtering of sounds and Maki emerged, “magickly,” out of thin air. The children sat awestruck for a moment, their eyes wide with disbelief, then they were clapping and howling and laughing and jumping.
“Something else!” one child yelled.
“Another trick please!”
“Can you teach me how to do that?!”yet another one cried.
Kirdina took a few steps back to the edge of the well and sat on it, the children gathering around her. “Now, now. Let me first introduce you to me companion.” Kirdina held up her flute, the gems and stones glittering with magick. All the children, and now a few adults were watching her every move. “This here is Maki.”
“Is that it’s name?”
“It.”Maki repeated with disgust, and added with a sigh “Children.”
Kirdina smiled. “Yes. He is very special, you see, he and I can play amazing songs together. Would you like to hear one?”
The kids cheered and clapped.
“What kind of song should I perform?” Kirdina asked them playfully.
“A song for my army to fight with!” one of the boys called out, gesturing to his friends. They all held up little wooden swords and gave a roar.
Kirdina giggled. “A fearsome bunch, I would not want to entice thy fury.”
“Play a song that is pretty!” the human girl shouted.
The boys booed that idea and the girls yelled back at them.
“All right, all right.”Kirdina replied standing to her feet. She held up her hands to quiet the children. “I think I have a song that is perfect for ye both. A song with a bit of fire!” Kirdina blew over the mouthpiece and hit four sharp notes, trilling the last one. The boys gave a cheer once more. Then Kirdina turned to the girls. “And a song with a story of love.” The young elf again pursed her lips, blowing slower and rippling her breath. She glided her fingers across the surface of the wooden instrument, hitting low major notes softly and ending the short introduction with a flutter. The girls awed.
Kirdina bowed her head low and took in a breath. She loved performing, especially when it was a random performance with children. She loved inspiring them, telling them stories, making them laugh. She did not get the chance much to interact, so every moment was precious to her. ‘I will tell them my favorite song.’ she thought pleasantly.
The young elf suddenly sprang up and landed on the edge of the well, beginning her performance.
“Once, long ago there was a mighty king.” she whispered harshly, her eyes playing along with the story. She walked up and down the edge of the well her audience was massed around. In between lines she would play songs that helped convey the mood of the tale. Regal sounding music for the king, a delicate and light song for the princess whose heart fell for a peasant boy. A dark and flat sounding song for the villain whose desire was war for the kingdom, and a dramatic, energetic tune for a battle with a dragon! The storyline wasn’t the best, but the music was what carried it all and the children were fascinated by it. By the end, kids were dancing and Kirdina had tired herself out.
Kirdina bowed humbly as she finished up her music. “Thank you for listening to my songs, young masters and mistresses, I hope I held some interest.”
“Another, another!” Came the shouts
Kirdina laughed. “Perchance the morrow, but now children I must rest awhile. My journeys have left me tired and I have yet to get a room!”
The children laughed and said their regretful good-byes. Three of the girls ran up and gave her hugs. “You’re mask is very pretty!” one of the girls cooed with delight, taking in the green velvet-like cloth she had shaped into leaves and sewn together.
“Thank you.”Kirdina replied. “It ‘twas Maki’s idea, he is very clever. I like the forests a lot.”
“Me too.” said one of the girls.
“You look like a forest goddess!” another one quietly complimented, the other two nodding in agreement.
Kirdina smiled at the three. “Say, where would you three young ladies recommend I get a room at, here in thy lovely town of Kinar?”
They looked to each other for a moment each knowing what the other was thinking. “Over there!” they said in unison, pointing towards a large building.
“Everyone knows it’s the fanciest.”
“And the prettiest!”
“And a forest goddess should stay at no lesser a place.” the other concluded with a smile.
Kirdina reached into her coin pouch and pulled out three copper coins. She tossed them in the air playfully and as they fell back down, yanked up each one individually at different angles. She then placed one in each of the girls pockets. “Thanks for the advice.” she replied and walked towards the inn, calling out behind her with a wave “I recommend the smoked fish!”
The village of Kinar was a large one. It was built around a beautiful stone well with an intricate wooden covering to keep it shaded. Surrounding three-fourths of the village was farmland while the rest of the village sat on the edge of a large lake. As Kirdina neared the village music filled the air and high in the sky were flags and ribbons. Towards the end of the path leading into the village were brightly colored lanterns not yet lit. A large banner written in the common tongue “Happy Spring!” was strung above the entranceway in a bold blue with paintings of butterflies and birds. Kirdina was greeted by many jolly faces upon entering bustling village. Smiles and laughter seemed prominent everywhere she looked. As the young elf walked into the very busy center of the town she was overwhelmed with the amazing smell of food.
“There are stands everywhere Maki!” she exclaimed, excited. “I don’t know where to begin my feasting!”
“Why don’t you start with the one closest to you.” He said, almost in a laugh. Maki could at times seem amused with the young elf. Perhaps even get caught acting as a parent would to a child.
“Ah! Great idea!” Kirdina reached into her pouch pulling out a few copper and ran to the closest food vender. The hobbit tending the stand smiled at her.
“Would ye like to try some of my smoked fish? I just caught them early this morning! Only one copper a fish.” he gestured to the deliciously appealing fish, smoked and ready to eat on little sticks.
“Yes!” she exclaimed. “I’ll take three!” She handed over the money and picked out the three largest fish. Carrying two in one hand and one in the other she continued on her way through the town, taking ample bites as she walked.
She made her way towards the center of town, taking in her new beautiful surroundings. The houses and shops were made of intricate cobblestone design, while the small pathways in-between were lined with planted shrubs, tiny ribbons dangling from their branches. A well of boastful sorts sat in the middle of Kinar with a detailed wooden covering. The well was large and festive with decorations carefully woven around it. Circling the area were stone benches, each one different and unique. This seemed to be a particularly favorite spot for children. Many kids, mostly hobbits, ran around the well with long sticks, ribbons tied to the ends of them. Some of the children sat more content on the benches, eating a sort of treat or giggling with their friends. Kirdina smiled. She picked up Maki who had been dangling patiently at her side. Finishing up the last of her fish she made her way towards the well, picking up speed as she grew closer. With a running leap the nimble elf jumped over the bench two children were sitting on clearing it with room spare, as she neared the ground she spun into a somersault, landing with a roll in front of the bench and springing to her feet. With great skill she jumped up backwards, onto the edge of the well, balancing herself gracefully. She could see all their faces gleaming with excitement. She could hear squeals of surprise as they jumped to their feet, clapping their little hands.
Five other children had immediately rushed over to where the young elf stood seeing her stunt from the corners of their eyes. Now seven small faces looked to the elf, awaiting an introduction of some sort.
“Greetings young hobbits!” Kirdina said with a low and exaggerated bow. “And to thee, young human as well.” she winked to the only human child within the group and the lot of them giggled.
“Are you a performer?” One of the girls braved to ask, holding hands with the human girl.
“A performer of sorts, I can do simple tricks.” Kirdina twirled Maki who grumbled angrily, tossing him up, spinning with him, and suddenly causing him to disappear in the blink of an eye. The children gasped. Kirdina couldn’t help but smile. It was a simple trick to her, a flick of the wrist, a sleight of the hand, but to her young audience it was nothing short of magick.
“Where did it go?” she heard one of them whisper.
“It’s behind her!” the human girl cried out, thinking she had solved the mystery.
“Behind me you say?” Kirdina gave a spin to show their was nothing behind her. The children grew more excited. “Perhaps up my sleeve?” Kirdina pushed up both of her long baggy sleeves
“Where is it?” one of the children begged. Three more children from the well area had run over to join the group now.
“Where is it?” another one chirped.
Kirdina gave a laugh, flashing a beautiful smile, and with another jump, tuck, spin and land she was right next to a child. She moved her arms dramatically in the air, the children watching with anticipation. With sudden energy she twisted her hands, gave a little sputtering of sounds and Maki emerged, “magickly,” out of thin air. The children sat awestruck for a moment, their eyes wide with disbelief, then they were clapping and howling and laughing and jumping.
“Something else!” one child yelled.
“Another trick please!”
“Can you teach me how to do that?!”yet another one cried.
Kirdina took a few steps back to the edge of the well and sat on it, the children gathering around her. “Now, now. Let me first introduce you to me companion.” Kirdina held up her flute, the gems and stones glittering with magick. All the children, and now a few adults were watching her every move. “This here is Maki.”
“Is that it’s name?”
“It.”Maki repeated with disgust, and added with a sigh “Children.”
Kirdina smiled. “Yes. He is very special, you see, he and I can play amazing songs together. Would you like to hear one?”
The kids cheered and clapped.
“What kind of song should I perform?” Kirdina asked them playfully.
“A song for my army to fight with!” one of the boys called out, gesturing to his friends. They all held up little wooden swords and gave a roar.
Kirdina giggled. “A fearsome bunch, I would not want to entice thy fury.”
“Play a song that is pretty!” the human girl shouted.
The boys booed that idea and the girls yelled back at them.
“All right, all right.”Kirdina replied standing to her feet. She held up her hands to quiet the children. “I think I have a song that is perfect for ye both. A song with a bit of fire!” Kirdina blew over the mouthpiece and hit four sharp notes, trilling the last one. The boys gave a cheer once more. Then Kirdina turned to the girls. “And a song with a story of love.” The young elf again pursed her lips, blowing slower and rippling her breath. She glided her fingers across the surface of the wooden instrument, hitting low major notes softly and ending the short introduction with a flutter. The girls awed.
Kirdina bowed her head low and took in a breath. She loved performing, especially when it was a random performance with children. She loved inspiring them, telling them stories, making them laugh. She did not get the chance much to interact, so every moment was precious to her. ‘I will tell them my favorite song.’ she thought pleasantly.
The young elf suddenly sprang up and landed on the edge of the well, beginning her performance.
“Once, long ago there was a mighty king.” she whispered harshly, her eyes playing along with the story. She walked up and down the edge of the well her audience was massed around. In between lines she would play songs that helped convey the mood of the tale. Regal sounding music for the king, a delicate and light song for the princess whose heart fell for a peasant boy. A dark and flat sounding song for the villain whose desire was war for the kingdom, and a dramatic, energetic tune for a battle with a dragon! The storyline wasn’t the best, but the music was what carried it all and the children were fascinated by it. By the end, kids were dancing and Kirdina had tired herself out.
Kirdina bowed humbly as she finished up her music. “Thank you for listening to my songs, young masters and mistresses, I hope I held some interest.”
“Another, another!” Came the shouts
Kirdina laughed. “Perchance the morrow, but now children I must rest awhile. My journeys have left me tired and I have yet to get a room!”
The children laughed and said their regretful good-byes. Three of the girls ran up and gave her hugs. “You’re mask is very pretty!” one of the girls cooed with delight, taking in the green velvet-like cloth she had shaped into leaves and sewn together.
“Thank you.”Kirdina replied. “It ‘twas Maki’s idea, he is very clever. I like the forests a lot.”
“Me too.” said one of the girls.
“You look like a forest goddess!” another one quietly complimented, the other two nodding in agreement.
Kirdina smiled at the three. “Say, where would you three young ladies recommend I get a room at, here in thy lovely town of Kinar?”
They looked to each other for a moment each knowing what the other was thinking. “Over there!” they said in unison, pointing towards a large building.
“Everyone knows it’s the fanciest.”
“And the prettiest!”
“And a forest goddess should stay at no lesser a place.” the other concluded with a smile.
Kirdina reached into her coin pouch and pulled out three copper coins. She tossed them in the air playfully and as they fell back down, yanked up each one individually at different angles. She then placed one in each of the girls pockets. “Thanks for the advice.” she replied and walked towards the inn, calling out behind her with a wave “I recommend the smoked fish!”
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