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Post by tam on Sept 13, 2010 23:51:53 GMT -5
...with the hands of a pick-pocket
and the laughing tale of the fool
I'm the ranger of disorder
with my strange and simple rules...
Tam was jubilant.
She sauntered through the market in boy's disguise, feeling rich and free. Her thieving fingers had found three purses, and though it was only halfway through the day she already had enough for food and a cheap room. Perhaps she would take a holiday...
Then the sound of fighting reached her ears. A slow smile spread across her face. Tam loved fights. Not that she ever actually watched the brawl itself - she watched those who watched because she knew they would not have eyes on their treasures. Then she would be away with them, and laughing!
Tam threaded her way towards that crowd like a thin brown shadow. Then something shining caught her eye. A knight stood by the wall - a great mountain of a man! - and seemed to be trying to drink and watch the fight at the same time. Placed on the ledge beside him were two leather bracelets, studded with silver and gold. Tam drew a sharp breath at the intricate design. And that knight had no eye on them at all! So careless, he was almost asking for them to be taken!
Silently, Tam was at his side. Out shot her delicate fingers, collected the bracelets and she turned to vanish away... but as she turned she caught the bucket with her elbow. It clattered to the ground, soaking both herself and the knight. Tam froze, horrified. Never in all her life had she been so careless!
But Tam gave the man no time to catch her, dancing away like a wild deer. She leapt over a market stall, ignoring the owner's protests as apples scattered everywhere. Tam was running now for her life!
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Post by tam on Aug 29, 2010 18:28:23 GMT -5
Chewing the bread, Tam at once felt better. Luckily for her, the knight did not seem to object.
Then he narrowed his eyes almost to pin-points, demanded to know her name. Tam grinned. They were lie-spotter's eyes.
Swallowing her mouthful, she answered,
"Thomas Piper. But most call me Tam."
She had no fear of that being called for a lie. She had been Thomas Piper for so long now that it felt more like her name than the 'Tamasin Smithie' she was born with.
It did not even cross her mind that the knight knew her for a girl.
Tam was thankful that he seemed to agree with the plan - provided she could give him so way of knowing she would act true. Her mind raced.
"Well..." Tam began slowly, eyes dancing with fun. "I would give you my word... but everyone knows a thief's word is worth less'n naught." She grinned as though this fact did not bother her at all. "So. What if I give you something most precious to me? Made of wood, no value to anyone else... And you give me your word that you will return it when I pay. Because everyone knows that knights are honourable." Though the way she said that last sentence was almost a challenge. Almost as though she accused the knight of not being honourable by saying that he was.
Tam knew that she was taking a risk. The object she bargained with was the child-sized flute that had belonged to her mother. It was all she had left of her family, and though Tam no longer used it in performance it was more precious to her than the flute she played. If she ever lost it... Tam bit her lip. She had to believe that she would not.
"As for finding me, I'll stay at the Rising Sun." She named a pub and Inn she had passed on her way to the market. Such a place was bound to welcome a player of her talent. "And what's your name?" Tam asked suddenly. "How might I find you?"
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Post by tam on Aug 28, 2010 21:37:34 GMT -5
Armour did not come with pockets?
Tam grinned, eyes beginning to dance. This was a very interesting kind of knight. Though Tam was not surprised that the knight would not pay - she did not believe he would, even if he had money with him - she did not at all like the idea of working for that baker-lady. The knight was right in thinking she would be accepted at his word... but once he had left, what then? It would have to be said that Tam would not accept pay for her work, otherwise there would be not point to the plan. And then the lady would be suspicious. People never gave work for nothing.
Tam chewed her lip, mind racing. She would not walk into such a trap. She would not spent the day with someone she had stolen from. It was too dangerous.
But she knew this knight would never let her out of paying.
"What if...." Tam began slowly. "I do my own work tonight. And then tomorrow, I leave her the money. Anonymous, like." And then suddenly realising that it sounded like she meant to steal from someone else in order to pay, she quickly added. "I'm a musician. I play in pubs and Inns and the drinkers give me coins."
Tam wished this could soon be settled. She was so hungry, and the bread was just sitting there inside her tunic... did she dare to eat it while the knight still stood there? Tam decided that she did. Slowly reaching inside her tunic, she broke of a piece of the bread and chewed it slowly, eyes wary again.
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Post by tam on Aug 27, 2010 23:29:46 GMT -5
Tam looked thoughtfully at the knight. He seemed to have taken no offence at her tone. Nor, she realised, did he seem to be over keen on hauling her to justice. That was something new. Normally people did not hesitate to take a thief - and it could not be because Tam was armed, not when it was a knight who had caught her.
Tam had started to calm a little, though her attention was still as sharp as before. Perhaps this was not the day she would loose her hand or her life for simply being hungry.
As the knight made a new suggestion, Tam could not help but smile. He seemed most interested in having the situation put right! Perhaps he was one of those nobles who believed everyone should be upright and honourable. It was kind of sweet.
"You don't understand," Tam said patiently, as though explaining to a rather dim child. The knight could not be expected to understand the world of thieves. Probably he had never even been hungry. "She would never accept that! Have me - a dirty thief - work for her where I could steal more of her wares?" Tam shook her head. "She would take me to justice, as is her right. Only thing she'd accept is coin, and never even from me!" And then she had a sudden idea. It was not much of one, but she would say it anyway. At least while she was speaking, the knight would not attack her.
"Why don't you pay her for it, if it bothers you so much. Then I will earn some coin - but not from her! - and repay you."
And I wonder if you will trust the bargain of a thief, Tam added silently. I wonder just how much you believe in precious honour.
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Post by tam on Aug 25, 2010 18:06:18 GMT -5
Tam's head was spinning and a stitch stabbed painfully in her side. Normally she could run chases far longer than this without problems, but her hunger was working against her. Tam stared, brown eyes narrowed at the knight blocked the exit.
Tam still had the knife in her hand, held diagonally across her chest and she saw the knight rested a hand on his sword-hilt. Her mind raced. This knight was very small, smaller than any she had seen. The advantage of speed that Tam had over most armoured warriors would not be the same with this tiny knight. His sword would extend his arm far longer than her own knives, and his amour would keep him safe even if she threw her blade at him.
Then he broke her thoughts by raising an eyebrow, asking if Tam would be returning the food. Tam gave a scornful laugh.
"You think that mistress baker is gonna want them back?" It was a stupid idea. No stall owner would take back their wares after they had been stuffed down a thief's tunic.
"You think I'm gonna follow back with you like a puppy, say 'oh, so sorry I pinched your food, mistress. You may lop of my hand, now, if it please you."
Though her tone was so insulting, Tam's mind was only half on her words. She was still trying to calculate what she could do if the knight drew his sword. Perhaps if she insulted him enough he would grow angry, let down his guard. That might give her long enough to escape. Tam decided suddenly that she hated Camelot. It was obviously a no-luck place for her.
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Post by tam on Aug 25, 2010 17:15:23 GMT -5
Tam felt that familiar, cold prickling along the back of her neck. She was being watched. Every muscle and nerve now alert, Tam forced herself to be calm. The smell of the bread she hid was making her giddy with hunger but she knew she must not run. Nor must she look back. It was possible the person only watched her now, had seen nothing of her thief.
But she was not lucky today. She was being followed, and the sound of the tread as the person moved closer told Tam they wore armour. She swore under her breath. It was a guard, then, or a knight. Then a cool voice spoke in her ear.
And suddenly Tam was a brown whirlwind of speed. She had a knife in her hand, driving it backwards until the clang of blade on armour told her she had hit. It was not to injure her chaser, simply to distract her and give Tam a half-second longer to dance sideways down an alley. She glanced behind only long enough to fix the knight in her mind before racing down the dark alley and into the maze of Camelot's lower city.
Tam cursed as she ran. This was the worst of being a Nomad thief. Had she been in her home city, she would have lost this knight in half a second. Now as she chanced left, right and left again, Tam found herself meeting a dead end. She swore again, spinning on her heel to try a different turn before the knight came in and blocked her... but she found she was already too late.
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Post by tam on Aug 25, 2010 16:19:04 GMT -5
I come from far away with pictures in my eyes
Of moonlit sqaures and morning streets
And the slow and silent Sunrise
But it was morning in the market where we recognised the sign
We strangers know each other now
As part of a whole design...
The last time Tam had been in Camelot City, she had stolen a precious necklace and had been lucky to escape with her life. She had left the City pretty quickly after that. But she had liked the place and had wanted to explore it more, stay longer. Now she was here she had learned that, if the current piece negotiations went well, there would be a Festival lasting five days.
That thought cheered her. Festivals were the perfect place for a thief and flute-player.
But that was a few days away. Now, Tam was tired and hungry and had not a single coin to her name. She had been walking all night through the forest and her boots were wearing thin. She needed a new pair. Perhaps the festival would give her enough money to do so. If not, she could always steal some.
Tam threaded her way towards the market square, following the crowd more than her memory. Suddenly market smells hit her like a wall. The scent of bread and spices and meat scorching on sticks made her mouth water. She would plan boot-theft later. Now all she needed was food.
Tam passed close to a stall selling bread and sweet pasties. She paused, pretending to choose between this one or that as a lady began to bargain for day-old bread. Tam waited for the debate to reach it's peak, when the stall-owner no longer had her eye on her wears... And with fingers soft as shadows, Tam scooped up two rolls and hid them inside her tunic.
She sauntered away from the stall. Any quick action would alert someone to her and that she did want want. So would go away and eat this bread and then return. Her head would be more clear then, and thieving safer. Or as safe as it could ever be.
Timeline: during Sweet Dreams
Weather: mid-morning sunny
Tags: Alegra Silvertongue
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Post by tam on Aug 23, 2010 22:16:57 GMT -5
Tam almost laughed when the man loudly announced that they should leave the "dark abandoned alley." She knew why he said it that way - how obvious his fear was! Tam did not normally find fear amusing, but this time she could not help herself. It was so strange to see it in a man who looked strong enough to be a blacksmith.
Though she did control her laughter, the smile on her face was broad and amused as she replied.
"Of course, if it makes you happier."
And she returned obediently to the main streets. If it made this man feel calmer, she would do it.
And such a comical contrast that his little girl was so unafraid! Tam met that sweet, bright smile and the innocent eyes... and suddenly felt as strange tugging at her heart.
When I was that age, Tam found herself thinking. My family were dead. I was cold and hungry, and playing my flute while my listens had their pockets picked, so the Thief Lord would give me a home.
Tam gave her head a shake, annoyed by the emotion she did not want. She told herself firmly that she had a good life, the best life of adventure and fun.
But her voice was surprisingly soft as she answered the father.
"I'm not busy, sir. I would be happy to play for her." And then, to the little girl, "I have one I think you'd like..."
And Tam played the first dancing bars of 'Daytime Star', a song she had written for the youngest thief-children just before she had to leave her city. Then she stopped. It seemed almost rude to play more than a few bars, out here on the street.
"You should learn to play yourself," Tam lightly told the girl. "I was younger than you when I started. What is your name?" She asked suddenly, with a glance up at the father. "You know mine, but I don't know yours."
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Post by tam on Aug 22, 2010 18:39:31 GMT -5
((Of course it is fine. I so love Gawain already! He made me laugh.  ))
Tam spun, the blade flashing in her hand.... and at once realised her mistake. This was no dark stranger - just a wide-eyed man and his child. But it was not the little girl who made Tam realise her mistake. In her world, children were always used as 'innocents' to put victims off their guard in thievery and even murder. She had been one of those children herself, not so very long ago.
No, it was the fear in the father's eyes and his stuttering speech which let Tam know. This man was no killer.
Quickly she returned her dagger to it sheath. Tam held up her empty palm and the other which still held her flute.
"No, no," she said, trying to calm the man. While Tam would fight and kill for her life, she did not enjoy to frighten innocents. "Please, I'm sorry. Forgive me. I come from... a dangerous place." Tam hoped that might explain her actions enough without her having to go into detail. "Do you want something I can help with?"
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Post by tam on Aug 22, 2010 18:20:38 GMT -5
Tam smiled at Kazira's laughter. She was a jester a heart and so loved to make people laugh. Though her life and training as a street-thief might have tried to take the cheerful humour from her, or twist it into something dark, Tam had shown to be irrepressible.
"A Mercenary and a Trader," Tam repeated. "How very... honest."
Her tone was strange. It was almost as though by calling Kazira honest, Tam were accusing her of being just the opposite. And in a way, she was. The traders Tam knew were cheats and lies to their very souls. More than half of them were also thieves.
She did not comment on the strangeness of a female trader. As a girl-in-disguise, any talk of that kind made her feel uncomfortable. Made her feel as though if anyone actually took the time to look, they would see she were not boy. Of course it was not true; Tam's disguise was good. But the talk still made her feel nervous.
So she was quick to answer Kazira's question, instead.
"Oh, yes. I have travelled every kingdom in this land, and many others across the sea." And Tam's eyes were once again bright with mischief. It was her endless, teasing that lies made her feel safe. "I have played before Kings and peasants like... however..." and her voice dropped secretively. "Musician is only my disguise. Really, I am an Arabian Prince. Two years ago, I was outcast from my homeland." And Tam's voice was quiet serious, though she let her eyes betray the game. "My younger brother always wished for the throne, but I was heir. So he set me a trap. He made it seem to the whole court as though I had tried to murder him. He paid off witnesses, wove an unbreakable web of lies. He swore to his very soul that I was evil. And I was outcast, sent away to this terribly cold country with naught but my name, my sweet flute and the knowledge that I may never go home."
Even if Tam had not let her eyes betray her, there were plenty of holes in her story-lie. "Thomas Piper" was not an Arabian name. Nor was the flute she played an Arabian instrument; Tam's flute, to anyone who knew about music, was obviously Irish.
But Tam did not care. Indeed, she would have thought very little of Kazira if the girl had not noticed the mistakes. This time it did not matter if Tam were believed. What mattered was that Kazira knew none of the truth.
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Post by tam on Aug 19, 2010 22:59:27 GMT -5
It was quite funny, how many times she was making this Kazira blush. Tam grinned to herself. Then the smallest of frowns passed over her face. So Kazira was not from Camelot; she was a traveller of many professions. It was unusual for a girl to be such a thing, Tam knew. It made her curious. Curious as to why she did it, and if Kazira were not also a kind of thief. Tam saw the way her eyes kept flicking out over the crowd, constantly alert.
The alertness of a thief, she thought. But then she passed the idea from her mind. It could equally well be the alertness of a person who travelled through hostile parts of the kingdom, or simply one who had been taught to fight. It was really not so easy to tell.
"And do you take any kind of work?" Tam asked. "Carpenter? Thatcher? Thief? Assassin?" Her eyes laughed as she gave the list, a playful grin on her lips. It was normal for Tam to get information from people by teasing it out of them, by asking a question she wanted an answer to as though she were only making a joke.
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Post by tam on Aug 17, 2010 19:49:02 GMT -5
Tam took the offered hand in her long, delicate fingers and bowed over it as though Kazira were a noble. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she said,
"An honour to meet you, Kazira Astras."
It was the prettiest name Tam had heard in a long time, the words tasting like stars on her tongue. She supposed if she were really a boy, she would have said as much... As it was, Tam did not want the trouble she could get if a girl decided to take her easy teasing seriously.
"I disagree," Tam said, lightly countering when Kazira said anyone could sing the way she had. "Many cannot even carry a tune. And your love for the Highway Man gave your voice a special sweetness."
Tam was gifted with the skill of being able to change her voice to suit her surroundings. Normally her voice was clipped and riddled with street-slang. Tonight, in her borrowed scarlet and gold, she could have been any well-brought-up musician's boy.
"My work is my pleasure," Tam replied, eyes dancing. "A person has to earn a living, so why not earn it by doing something so enjoyable?"
She glanced at Kazira, wondering what that girl did with her life. Tam guessed she was not a noble. She also had the air of a fighter which uncommon to most girls, but Tam was willing to bet that she wore a weapon hidden somewhere. It must be a good one too, if Tam's practised eyes could not spot it.
Herself she had two hidden knives, one beside each armpit. Normally she would have seven but tonight she had not dared to risk it. Not when she would be up under the eyes of so many people.
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Post by tam on Aug 17, 2010 0:21:02 GMT -5
Tam lowered the flute from her lips, gazing out over the crowd. It was her last song, for a while. She had played countless tunes, teamed with a drummer and a harp-player, both of who she met only that night but they did play together well. Now she was allowed to have a short break while another flute-player took her place, along with another drummer and a girl who played the lute.
Tam had been surprised as a sweet voice had joined their song, but all the musicians were too professional to show it. Now she slid from the tiny stage, gladly accepting the cup of chilled mint-water she was given.
Tam did not look like a thief tonight. Playing in front of the nobles, she had to be clean and well-dressed. Luckily all the musicians hired had been given outfits, so to make them match. She wore a bright, loose white shirt and a tunic of eye-smarting scarlet. Both the tunic and the breeches that went with it were laced with gold embroidery. Tam thought she had never looked so fine in all her life.
Now she moved around the edge of the party, looking for the girl who had sang. Tam was curious, and wanted to know who she was. The girl was easy to find, pressed against the wall, her cheeks almost as red as Tam's tunic.
"Evening," Tam greeted her, leaning casually against the wall. She had knew how boys her age acted around such girls and so was careful to copy it. "My name is Tam. Thomas the Piper, actually," Tam grinned. "I played The Highway Man. You sing it very sweetly. What's your name?"
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Post by tam on Aug 16, 2010 23:51:38 GMT -5
Tam blinked, as though in surprise.
"Some cursed luck I have..." she began, before Cole stated he would treat her to a meal. Then Tam stared in real surprise. This was as good as him offering to pay her for her 'loss.' No, it was better! If Tam's story were true than the amount she would have paid for a cheap glass necklace would be less then the price of a good meal. Tam bit her lip. She desperatly wanted to take this knight up on his offer... but what if it were a trap? She should run away now, while she still had her life and both her hands.
"I don't tell lies," Tam lied with righteous indigence, playing for time. She knew was she should do, but Tam had grown up as a street urchin and so food was a big weak point for her. Even now as an older street-thief, she only ever got enough food to live. She was always hungry. She was hungry now, and the offer of a good meal made her stomach growl. At last she smiled like the rising sun.
"If you'd buy me food, sir knight, would more'n make up for my loss."
After all, she reasoned, if it looked like a trap when they returned to Camelot, she could run away then and nothing the worse. A knight might beat her in a fair fight, but she knew she could escape if she ran. Knights were not trained to run away after all, and thieves so often found themselves running for their lives that they had to be good at it.
"My name is Tam," she said as they began to walk. "Thomas the Piper, really, but everyone calls me Tam."
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Post by tam on Aug 15, 2010 23:26:00 GMT -5
He was leaving all ready! It was almost strange how fast her chatter had convinced the man to move on. She watched as he rose, scowling deeply as he hit the table and caused the ale to splash. Tam scowled deeper as she felt the liquid seeping into the coarse fabric of her breeches. The gaps in the table meant that her left knee was spattered with the stuff.
Oh, that's just great, Tam thought as she scooted sideways to avoid the rest of the drips. He did that on purpose!
Though she had noticed the spilling to be deliberate, she had not realised the reason behind it.
"Well I hope you have a very miserable time!" Tam called indigently after the man. This raised a small laugh from the near-by tables and Tam grinned. Well, she would get him back for splashing her with ale. She would take his money and read his precious secret.
She rose and went to the bar, asking them to wrap the food she had paid for in cloth. Tam then slid in into her pack and left the pub.
Outside the night air was cool and sharp. Tam was just in time to see him disappearing down the track that lead to the forest. She grinned and began to follow.
Keeping the distance between them enough so that he would not know, Tam slid cat-like from shadow to shadow. She would wait until they were in the woods. Then she would creep closer... but he looked so strong, Tam knew she could not actually attack him. She was not that stupid. Normally she chose easy targets and lifted their money without them even knowing. She had only done a theft in a wood once before, and that had been a soft young noble.
Never mind. She would know what to do when the time to do it came.
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Post by tam on Aug 15, 2010 20:52:53 GMT -5
Tam just smiled as the man glared at her. So he did not like to be called unclean. She supposed that no one would really like that, but she had been worried she would get no reaction from him at all.
But now he spoke as though he were already about to leave! Tam blinked. Why was he so keen to go? He had showed no annoyance other than that one glare, and he sounded almost polite when he asked if she need the table.
"Don't you need it?" Tam countered the question. "You were sitting here first. People are always sharing tables these places, you know," she continued, for all the world as though he were the young 'boy' and that it might possibly be his first time in a pub. But as she said it a small thrill ran though her. If she had managed to make him leave already, she could follow him. It was dark outside now. She could follow him and take that scroll, read it and satisfy her curiosity.
And take his coin, too, Tam reminded herself. Always need more coin.
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Post by tam on Aug 15, 2010 20:31:30 GMT -5
Tam was unmoved by the stranger's stare. She had chosen him because she believed he would behave as such. Her brown eyes flicked over his face, amused. He was so expressionless! It was really quite impressive. Most people were easily irritated when Tam started chattering, giving her the fight she wanted. Though this time, Tam was not simply looking for a fight. This time, she had seen an interesting exchange of money and a scroll, and was not yet wise enough to know such things are best left alone.
When he told her to go home to her mamma, Tam snorted.
"Well you're very nice," she said, dryly sarcastic. "I'm not a child!" Though she supposed that might be how she seemed to this grave man.
"You could tell me your name," Tam continued, eyes dancing.
Maybe she could annoy him enough to make him leave. Then she could follow him, and pinch the scroll to see what it said. If this man could afford to pay for it, then he probably had money worth stealing too. As he was sitting, she could not see how tall he actually was... but she could see that he was solid muscle. If they had a fair fight he would probably crush her, unless she was fast enough to dodge every attack he gave. Tam considered this, and let her wonderings continue her attack of questions.
"You could answer my other question. You from round here?" she repeated. "What you work at? Warrior? You're big enough. Assassin?" she grinned to show her last word was a joke. "I'd guess a knight, but you don't look clean or clever enough. Bet you could use a sword, though, if you wanted. Bet you could beat a knight. Or maybe you just have a club like them barbarians up north? "
He probably would not even begin to tell her what weapons he used. Though it was worth a try, because Tam's endless mix of compliments and insults angered some people faster than they might think. And angry people said stupid things.
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Post by tam on Aug 14, 2010 1:00:36 GMT -5
Tam gave another disarming smile, though still her mind was spinning like a hurricane. She was not quite sure the knight believed her. It sounded almost as though he were humouring a child with a story. Well, whatever he thought, her story was truth now.
Tam held out the necklace so he might take it if he wished. Of course he would know it for what it was, but how was she supposed to know it were stolen. It had looked like glass to her, and had been priced as glass when she had bought it for her sister. If he insisted, well, Tam might insist that he paid her for the coin she had lost. A little thrill of delight rushed through her. Maybe she would get something out of this, after all!
When the knight said that he would let the thief off with a warning, Tam did not believe him for a moment. That trick was oldest in the book. No one showed kindness to little thieves.
"Well?" she asked, waiting for his call on the necklace. "Is it your stolen treasure? Some fair idiot thief if he sold it to me for cheap." Tam added scornfully.
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Post by tam on Aug 13, 2010 22:54:10 GMT -5
Tam was hungry. She had been working for hours, wandering the markets and helping herself to enough coin to be sure she could pay for her lodgings. Though she stayed at what was possibly the cheapest, most run-down inn of the Kingdom, she still needed to pay the landlord something.
And being a thief was hard work, especially if you worked on your own. You had to notice everything and be always ready to fight and run. Now as late afternoon faded into early evening, Tam knew she had enough money to pay for her nights stay, and some left over for food. What she really needed was a nights work playing flute in one of these pubs. That was more reliable than stealing, and if she wanted to move on in a couple of days she needed the money for supplies.
Tam chose the pub that looked the cheapest and pushed her way inside. Several faces turned to stare, but Tam ignored them. Such a thing happened in any pub. Besides, Tam knew she was nothing to hold their attention for long. She looked nothing but a skinny boy with the travel-stained cloak and small pack of a wanderer. It was obvious she had little money and even more obvious she had not the strength or wildness to cause any trouble.
Of course they did not know about the seven knives she wore, hidden and secret under her clothes.
Tam ordered her food, struck a deal with the bar owner for work tomorrow night, and glanced around for somewhere to sit. Now she had promise of work and happy, she was cheerful. Just in the mood for annoying someone grave with cheerfulness and chatter!
Suddenly she grinned. She had spotted the perfect man. That was the best thing about being well disguised as a boy - she could talk with anyone without them thinking she was flirting.
As she approached, she money and a sealed parchment change hands. At once she was interested. This silent man had dealings was dealing for information, she guessed.
"Hey," Tam gave the man a beaming grin as she slid into the seat opposite him. "You don't mind, do you?" she asked though she gave him no space to refuse. "My name's Thomas Piper, but you can called me Tam. Everyone does! You from round here?" Tam continued, though she could tell he was a Nomad. Better to let him think she were unobservant.
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Oct 30, 2010 3:31:50 GMT -5
Tag me @tam
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Post by tam on Aug 12, 2010 17:59:22 GMT -5
Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation,
darkness stirs and wake imagination...
- Music of the Night
A festival was the prefect place for a thief to work. There were crowds of people, excited and distracted with eyes for everything except their precious money. Tam had watched many thieves get away with stolen coins; a practised thief herself, she knew well what to look for. She had made a sweet profit herself, during the day.
But now it was growing dark. Now, in the lower city's market square, a small platform had been set up. It was the rough stage for the acrobats, musicians, actors and dancers. Tam held her wooden flute close to her chest. This was her second and more lawful profession. She watched the stage, waiting for her turn.
A dancer ended with a flourish that drew cheers from the crowd before she left the stage. Tam flew her fingers over the notes of her flute, silently practising the first few bars. Then the man who was in charge of the performances called out "Thomas the Piper!"
Tam stepped up onto the stage.
She wore a scarlet waistcoat over her ordinary boy's disguise of loose shirt and breeches. People always thought a performer was better if they worse something fancy, though Tam did not know why.
Lifting her flute she announced,
"Horses' Brawl," and began to play. It was an old song, well-known and well-liked. This was why she had chosen to play it first. Her audience responded with loud cheers, though many had talked all through the song. Tam was not worried. This was how it was, playing music at festivals. Her second song was another piece favoured by the people. But as she came to play her third, she paused. Did she dare to play something different? Judging the mood of the crowd, she thought that she would.
"Reflections in the Crystal Wind," Tam told them.
It was one she had written herself, the tune sweet and almost a lullaby. After playing a while, Tam lowered the flute and began to sing.
"And if I don't know where I'm going
Perhaps I'll wait beside the pathway
Where no one's coming, and count the questions
I turned away from, or closed my eyes to
Or had no time for, or passed right over
Because the answers would shame my pride..."
Tam knew her song was different from common taste, and so as soon as she had finished, she leapt into a fast and lively version of "Orange and Blue." She left the stage to cheers.
Trembling now from nerves, Tam backed into a dark, quiet alley. How funny that she could keep her head when thieving, when in danger, but performing different songs made her shake and sweat. She took a few breaths to calm herself. Then suddenly she froze, one hand flying to her dagger. Someone stood at the mouth of the alleyway. Someone had followed her.
Timeline: first evening of the five-day festival Tags: Open Notes: Tam is well disguised as a boy, and so will seem like a boy to your eyes.  |
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