Music break

Sayuri goes away to bring her daughter’s fiddle. In the meantime, I began thinking about what I was going to play. I know enough songs to last easily more than an hour. The issue was to decide which order and what kinds of songs I was going to play. It would be a good idea to start slow so that the tavern’s patrons could ease into it. Coming in too strong might confuse everyone. I know just a song to begin with. It starts slow and builds over time until it reaches an upbeat cheerful part to which people will stomp and cheer. I will then continue with cheerful upbeat melodies for some time before gradually easing into more calm melodic songs. During the final stretch of the performance, I will turn up the heat again and finish strong on another set of upbeat songs. That should be enough to get the people’s blood pumping and entertain everyone.

“Do you really know how to play the fiddle?” Elora snaps me out of my deliberations. “I didn’t take you for the music type.”

I shrug, understanding why it would seem weird. “I know. I probably wouldn’t if I had a choice, but I had to choose one instrument to learn to play. All the instruments I was offered were boring, so I chose something less upper-class. I chose fiddle. I liked how rough it sounded compared to a violin, which my music teacher begged me to take instead. Plus, a fiddle is a great instrument to play in taverns like this. That is what the guards that I talked to told me.”

“I see,” Elora hums. “Are you as good as you say you are?”

“Guess you will have to wait and see,” I smirk. “Care for another wager?”

“Another wager?” Elora grins. “What do you have in mind?”

“If I manage to do a good performance, one that the people here will love, I win. If I don’t, you win,” I say.

“And what is at stake,” she asks. “Another round of drinks?”

“No,” I answer. “That would be boring. How about if I win, you will give me a kiss?”

Elora blushes at my proposal. “A kiss? You mean on the cheek or something?”

I chuckle. “No. A proper kiss on the lips. For at least 10 seconds.”

“Ugh, fine,” she agrees. “What if I win?”

“If you win,” I reply. “Then I will do one thing you ask that is within my power.”

“Sounds good. It’s a deal,” she offers me her hand and we shake hands.

Sayuri returns with the fiddle at that exact moment.

“Making a wager to see if Zandor’s performance flops or not?” she asks and hands me the fiddle. Elora and I nod. “Just don’t do terribly. Decently would be plenty enough. Not like I expect to find a great performer on such short notice.”

“Prepare to be impressed then,” I smirk, walk over to the stage and take a seat on the stool.

People at the table noticed me taking the stage and cheered and whistled in support, which drew attention to other tables nearby. As good a time as any to begin. I started playing the first notes of the song and the eyes of most people in the room turned towards me. Some saw me getting on stage, while others didn’t expect to hear music so suddenly. As planned, I begin with a slow melody to grab everyone’s attention first. The melody coming from the fiddle is beautiful, enough to make the tavern’s patron lean in in anticipation of what I will do next. As my fingers danced across the strings, the melody began to build, each note rising and falling with an enchanting rhythm. Just as the crowd began to sway with the music, the song shifted into a lively, upbeat tune, the tempo quickening with each passing moment. Before long, the tavern erupted into cheers and applause as the patrons stomped their feet and clapped along in time with the music.

With a confident grin, I continued to play. Some people stood up from their tables and started dancing with their partners and companions. My fingers were flying across the strings with practiced precision. The tavern filled with the infectious energy of my performance, the atmosphere full of laughter, chatter, and the joyous sounds of music. I noticed Elora dancing in her seat. Some men approached to invite her for a dance, but she politely refused and kept swaying, tapping, and cheering to the music I was playing. Her eyes were on me the whole time.

The hour went by without me noticing. During my performance, I switched between cheerful, upbeat melodies and more serene, melodic tunes. I even stood up and started walking among the tables while playing, which earned me additional cheers. My final song was an upbeat one, with people still stomping, cheering, and dancing to the music I was playing. As the final notes of my performance rang out, the tavern erupted into thunderous applause and cheers. Lowering the fiddle’s bow, I raised from the stool I was sitting on and bowed to the cheering crowd. Making my way to the table, people patted me on the back and shoulders. Elora was still at our table, grinning widely at me as I took my seat.

“That was definitely something,” she says with an impressed tone. “Haven’t seen a performance like this for a long time.”

“That means you acknowledge that I have won our wager?” I ask her teasingly.

She sighs. “Yes, you have one. Would you like your kiss now?”

“Later. I want to properly enjoy it,” I say with a wink that makes Elora blush a little again.

Sayuri reached our table through the still-excited crowd.

“That was quite a performance, Zandor. I was afraid there for a second that I would run out of ale. Great music makes people thirsty. You and Elora are drinking for free for the rest of the night, by the way. As thanks for helping me out. Unless you want me to thank you another way?” she whispers the last part while leaning down to take the fiddle back.

“Another time Sayuri. I am here with Elora tonight,” I whisper back.

Elora noticed us whispering and spoke up with narrowed eyes. “What are you whispering about there?”

Sayuri laughs. “Oh, don’t worry about it, Ela,” she says.

Sayuri leans to Elora’s ear and whispers something to her. Elora’s face became crimson. Sayuri laughs at her expression and retreats from our table.

“What did she say?” I ask her curiously.

“N-nothing,” Elora mutters unconvincingly.

Deciding not to push the issue, we kept drinking and enjoying the night at the lively tavern.

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