Chapter 0:
War of the Sisters
The flickering torches hanging on the wall along with the fireplace where the evening’s stew brewed steaming into the crowded room created an atmosphere that was almost surreal to the patrons entranced by the young woman on stage. With long curled red hair she leaned on a tall stool with lute in hand, playing in a strange rhythmic way with a voice that pierced in volume one could hear just passing by. And there were certainly many outside listening who couldn’t afford to sit in the packed audience of peasants and locals of notoriety.
“She’s got a hold of me…” Auree’s lyrics rang with quieted rage only she knew as far as she was aware. Behind her a man thundered on a pair of drums that shook the air, “Maybe she’s just what they want me to be.”
A peasant woman asks her friend breaking from the entrancement, “Do you know what language that is? The rhythm is like a war march.”
“Even in these chains you can’t stop me,” Auree continued in a guttural chant.
“Pig, Pig, Ahh would you let me in.”
-
Somewhere else in the near future light streams through the linen curtains showing the thin trails of smoke the room’s candles wafted. It’s clearly a noble’s study filled with oil polished wood and bronze fixtures. A young woman with light brown hair, Countess Dasha leans against a desk before a man forced to kneel with his head to the floor by 2 heavily trained guards in padded armor of nobility pushing his shoulders down.
-
Auree chants, “Pig, Pig, Ahh would you let me in.”
"Pig, pig, I've been everywhere that you've been.”
-
Countess Dasha picks up a dagger from her desk and pulls the sheath off setting it aside carefully with the light of the room glinting off the polished steel.
Taking a step forward, she crouches down slightly and pushes the man head down to hold it steady then slices along his neck.
Standing up again she uses a handkerchief to wipe the blood clean and waves the assembled guards and dead man out of her presence.
-
"Now I've got nothing to lose and everything to win,” Auree continues her song.
"Pig, pig, Ahh would you let me in?”
-
Somewhere else in the near future the glow of royalty suffocatively emanates from every person, every clothing article, and every inch of the room. A middle aged man in a fur lined robe of blue looms over a woman in similar matching attire wrapping his hands around her neck. The red of her face strained in panic and pain.
As her crown slips to the marble floor, fighting has begun. Guards have weapons drawn and lash at one another and the defenseless attending nobles.
-
Auree chants, “Pig, Pig, Ahh would you let me in.”
"Pig, pig, I'm already under your skin.”
-
Somewhere else in the near future darkness hides the ratty clothes and disparate blade weapons that shimmer with the moon light. Auree is there and waves a hand to act, and like a wave, the men charge forth to rush into the armored guards outside the noble’s majestic home perimeter.
The majority of the men break against the gateway not meant to stand against an army, it crashes to the ground without any hope to stand. A half dozen bandits mass quickly to overwhelms the stationed guards who are caught off guard and fall dead as quickly as they realized they were under attack.
-
"Cause I'm the big bad wolf.”
"Now let the games begin.”
-
Somewhere else in the near future a single story house is surrounded by dozens of men wearing peasant garb. Armed with spears and swords they block the exists to the house. Within people are trying to escape with all the force they can muster, but are kept within by the gang that resemble bandits.
Then from afar a man tosses a lantern onto the thatch roof which quickly lights up in a blaze from the oil. As the fire spreads the people within are not given a chance to escape.
-
"Cause I'm the big bad wolf.”
"Now let the games begin.”
-
As the dawn breaks through scattered clouds making the world red and surreal, lines of men in armor proceed towards the expansive field before them. In lock step with spears aimed before them they take step after step towards a noble’s will.
On the other side camps and people stir to take position in defense of their land. Thousands have been drafted to battle here and die here.
From the back of the advancing lines an old voice cries out, “Fire.” Trebuchets spin and launch their stone payloads at the enemies at the other end of the field.
-
"Cause I'm the big bad wolf.”
"Now let the games begin.”
-
Auree takes a bow and flourish of a curtsy besides her partner musician, “Thank you, thank you.” Her words practiced but still show an earnest gratefulness to the audience’s praise. "It was a pleasure to perform my new piece in the ancient western language of English.”
As she packs up her lute and starts to make way to exit the tavern venue, a man in much finer attire than anyone else in the room approaches her, “Auree, it’s a privilege to hear you perform. The rumors held up to scrutiny.”
With grace she bows though her hands are full, “your grace. It’s a pleasure to be appreciated by the Count of these lands.” Raising up again to stand poised Auree continues, “thank you for coming.”
The Count smiles politely, “I would enjoy to learn what the lyrics were for ovation. It’s a blessing to hear and experience, but I am curious about the actual translation.”
“It was a simple man’s reflection of the emotions of a lost soul,” she summarizes with little more detail. “Just lament and frustration for not being able to achieve their dream.”
“Does it,” the count questions incredulously, “I have a feeling that is an over simplification.”
“People can not always see past simplification,” she responds respectfully, “and it’s unhelpful for me to pick a message for others that will undermine a deeper longer conversation.” Looking over at her partner musician she bows slightly again, “please forgive me. I believe that I have to leave now and rest my voice.”
He nods and mentions, “next year, I would like to have you perform for our family on our 10 wedding anniversary. I am sure you won’t find better payment for your talent. Stop by my house in the morning before you travel to the next town.”
Auree smiles cheerfully, “it would be a pleasure to perform for your family. I look forward to stopping by tomorrow.”
Exiting out of the tavern and into the dark night atmosphere Auree travels a quiet gravel road towards her stabled horse. Passing the building attendant into the heavy timber building that smelled of hay she reached her horse’s paddock.
With experienced hands she opens the gate and starts placing the saddle and harnesses onto her groomed piebald mount. While checking the shoes of the horse a group of five men in dark hooded linen clothing, “Auree.”
She turns, “Hey Gerald, ready to leave?”
Gerald extends a darkened sack towards Auree that soaked up the blood of its contents then opens the top for her to examine the success.
“Hi Count,” she grins and gives the sack a wave, “great work! Off to the next performance, gentlemen.”
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