Okay - Let's lighten this up for awhile. What do you say, huh!More runes would be drawn later, but Wendolin knew they needed to make the Elven Woods this day and Shimmering Lake the next. Now fully supplied they departed the village and made their way north.
The ride was uneventful, much to the relief of all. Really, too much adventure is hard even on the most adventurous of travellers. So a pleasant ride in the warm sun of a cloudless sky did much to raise their spirits, even Thoren's.
As the sun sank to the horizon they entered the copse that was named the Elven Woods. It was time to camp, but where? A nearby sound caught their attention. Music! Here? But who? They travelled a short ways further. Minstrels! Or so they seemed to be, camped by a glowing fire and playing their instruments.
"Ho the camp!" called Wendolin in the traditional friendly greeting used to alert campers of the arrival of visitors with peaceful intent. The music immediately stopped. "May we enter?!"
"Who are you, strangers?!" came the cautious reply.
"Wendolin the Paladin, Jayhawk the Minstrel and companions!"
"We know your name, Wendolin...and a minstrel, you say? Enter and be welcome!"
They rode into the camp careful to show no aggressive behavior so as not to alarm anyone. There were already six in the camp, musicians all; or so the travellers gathered because of the instruments all about the area.
Supplies were exchanged as a token of goodwill and supper was enjoyed along with the good fellowship that accompanied the meals. The twin campfires were stoked and then the music began...
And what remarkable instruments, observed the group. Soldar, the apparent leader of the troup, was only too happy to display his instruments, the like of which had never been seen before. He and his musicians were not only players and singers, but inventors of new and wonderful instruments. He pointed to each in turn and named them. Recorder, Viole, Viole da Gamba, Regal and various small drums he called Kettle-drums. "We travel the countryside," he explained, "and learn new country tunes for popular country dances. Then we arrange them for these new instruments. Wish to hear some?" Of course they did.
The musicians picked up and played their instruments in various combinations for the particular tune they were playing. The parade of delightful tunes began with an Entree - Courante arrangement; a Gavotte followed; then a Bouree and a vigorous Volte temporarily tempered with an elegant slower passage in the middle. Those not playing instruments were swept up in the elegance and liveliness of these wonderful melodies. The Volte had all of the travelers clapping their hands and rocking back and forth in their places. Even dour Thoren couldn't help himself and joined in with the rest.
Flickering campfire flames were reflected in the lights of the ladies' eyes. Lysette repeatedly glanced towards Thoren, a generous smile brightening her face and a look in her eyes that said something more. The tune ended and hands clapped now for the excellence of the performance and the enjoyment it brought. But wait, they weren't finished.
"Minstrel, join us for this next song," Soldar cheerfully called to Jayhawk. "We have a dance with a vocal duet. We will need you to play the lute while two of my musicians sing. Jayhawk never hesitated. The musicians began to play the song to show Jayhawk the phrases and melody. Jayhawk, a quick study, was ready in no time. Excitement grew among the ladies in anticipation of the lovely little song they expected to hear.
"No! No! You won't sit for this song," chided Soldar goodnaturedly. "Ladies, select your partner. This is a dance, not a concert. More men than women? No matter, change your partners as you dance. Ready, Now!" cried Soldar and the musicians began the introduction to a splendid Spagnoletta.
The women leaped up and selected quickly their starting partners. Lysette hurried to Thoren, curtsied and held both of her hands out to the warrior, who protested but rose anyway. Wendolin chose Chunky and Benson and brought them both to the dance line. Gillandra pulled a weakly protesting Randorian to the line. The music played on, capturing their souls, even the most reluctant. They began the simple and quaint country dance that perfectly matched the rythym and beat of the tune. Lysette beamed up at Thoren as her left hand was joined by his right hand for the steps that followed.
Author's Note: Visualize village dancing in the Middle Ages set to music from Praetorius' "Terpsichore". A "Cantiones Profanae", the words of the duet were joined by the singers to the melody:
Come you Lads...come you Ladies,
Join me now...the time is nigh.
Instruments play...voices singing,
The sun is down...the moon is high.
Dance! Dance! Hear the Music!
Dance! Dance! Lift spirits high!
Dance! Dance! Soon cares 'n worries,
Dance! Dance! Will pass you by!
Heed my call...find a lover,
Place your hand...with one you choose.
Let the music...speak your messsage,
Have no fear...you cannot lose.
Dance! Dance! Hear the Music!
Dance! Dance! Lift spirits high!
Dance! Dance! Soon cares 'n worries,
Dance! Dance! Will pass you by!
Life is short...just a moment,
Waste no time...when mood is right.
Music's playing...all around us,
Spreading its charm...in bright moonlight.
Dance! Dance! Hear the Music!
Dance! Dance! Lift spirits high!
Dance! Dance! Soon cares 'n worries,
Dance! Dance! Will pass you by!
(Now they all joined in and sang, dancers too, as the music reached its crescendo, and the chorus was repeated, through and through).
Dance! Dance! Hear the Music!
Dance! Dance! Lift spirits high!
Dance! Dance! Soon cares 'n worries,
Dance! Dance! Will pass you by!
Then it ended... Lysette, beside herself with the joy of youth and giddy with excitement, stepped quickly to Thoren, placed her arms around him, hugged him closely and kissed him solidly on his cheek. Then she stepped back, face flushed, curtsied once more as a village girl should, and ran over to where the other women were standing to talk of the music, the dance and the bright moonlight.
The need for sleep and the chores of morning both came all too soon. The musicians and the travellers parted ways... The musicians to the south and the travellers once more to the north.
[This message has been edited by Civis Romanus (edited 03-26-2000).]