Respect, where earned

You floated out of sleep and into the waking world comfortably, but with urgency. A song nagged in your brain, begging to be played and explored. You smiled to see the women around you; you all had been so exhausted, hardly anyone moved through the whole night. Being in the center of the bed, getting out was a struggle. Trevolia stirred slightly as you lifted yourself over her.

"Come back to bed babe" her voice was quiet and strained, being awoken reluctantly. You brush her golden hair gently and kiss her cheek "I won't be far, just have to take care of something personal". You gingerly worked through your haversack for your spare set of clothes, getting dressed as quietly as possible. Made decent, you take your flute in hand and head from the room, down into the common area of the Tavern. Someone else was already up, sitting at the bar, working on a beverage of some sort. He was a haggard old human, with an eclectic hat on and a guitar sitting next to him. Making eye contact, he waved you over. As you sat next to him, he slid his drink over to you. It was beer, strong smelling at that; an unusual choice for so early in the day.

"Cheers mate, didn't expect to see you up so early. Job well done though, ey?"

"I guess?" your answer is puzzled, since he seems to know you, but he is clearly a stranger to you "What job?"

"You were the one making all that racket last night weren't you? Hording all those beautiful girls all to yourself like that."

You clinch your neck in awkwardness "Ya, that was me. Us, really"

"Don't bother me none. Hold your head up high mate. I've had my share of crazed nights with multiple ladies"

"Ya? How'd yours go?"

He chuckled "Dames nearly killed me. Four broads got their hands on me and took turns blowing me. Bloody thought they were trying to suck my soul out of me, and they nearly did."

"What do you mean?" You asked, intrigued

"Fucking heart stopped working" He laughed again, and you can't help but laugh along. This is a rather bizarre story, but you can't help but be transfixed "They found some Phoenician cleric who helped get me right. Must have been worried about attempted ****. They all ran off as soon as they got me to the healer, never seen or heard of them again."

"Good thing they knew where one was."

"Sure. Good on you that you're getting all of your fun while you're still young and the ladies still want you. Even more impressive for an orc. You lot have what all the ladies want, let's be clear, but they most gotta get through a few drinks before they're willing to deal with what that all comes with."

"No drinks here. They're my friends"

"At least until the coin runs out. What's a bloke like you doing moving around so early, especially with the night you had?"

"Music" you hold your flute up "woke up with something floating in my mind, had to try to figure out what it was. Came out here to not wake anyone up."

"Know all about that. That spark can hit you anywhere, anytime. That's what separates musicians from performers."

"You're a bard too, than?" You ask

"Like hell" he scoffs, "you mean those pissants in a Bard's College that sit there and tell you a chord must be played this way, only these styles are acceptable? Bullocks to that"

The old man taps the bar counter a couple of times "Lemme ask you this mate. If the folks running the show there actually know what people want to hear, why aren't they out there playing and surrounding themselves with coin and tits?"

You shrug "Couldn't tell you, never thought about it."

"I go around playing what I want to play. Most people like it, and the people that don't can fuck off. You and I haven't spent all our lives learning how to play to be dictated by some twit whose never held an instrument. Find your own voice, do things your way."

You give that some thought. Your audience thus far has only been nobles, the types who are not really allowed to deviate from whatever is deemed "proper", and publicly wouldn't be allowed to dissent from the opinion of the King and his choice of an honored guest.

"Bloody hell" he mutters, looking past you. You turn to look and see your four companions, the princess coming first, all leaving the room together, dressed and ready for adventure. "Tell you what mate, I've been around a long time. I've had a lot of laughs and thrills, and pretty sure I've tasted every flavor of woman there is, but I'll tell you there's one thing I've wanted and never had."

"What's that?" You ask curiously

"For them to still be there when I wake up." He pats your shoulder as he gets up from his chair "Value what you've got mate. Men have killed for less."

"You bet, and thanks for the drink. I'm sorry that I didn't catch your name."

"Oh don't worry about me. You don't have the time to worry about an old damage case like me", he hoists his guitar to sit on his shoulder as he walks out the door.

"Silve" Clodagh pipes up "Who was that man?"

"Just another traveling songwriter." You respond "What's the plan for today?"

"We'll have to see what the day brings" Trevolia replied "I imagine there's a high chance for chaos, but we'll handle it."

"Sounds like a good plan to me..."