The challenge here was a story using the words concertina, frosty and erupted. “It’s no good,” said Ragnar. “We’ll never find the right fit for the party.” He idly polished his large sword from behind the tavern table whilst they waited for the next hopeful adventurer to come over and speak to them. “Well, it’s hardly surprising, is it?” asked Celebror, rubbing his forehead with his hands. “There just aren’t as many people coming out the Guild of Thieves and wanting to adventure. It’s much more dangerous work than simple thievery, and there is less call for them as more and more magic is invented to cover for their loss. It’s a self-perpetuating problem. “Don’t forget as well,” said Astra, drawing circles in the spilled wine on the table as she spoke, “that we are recruiting for a white dragon hunt. By all the gods, that’s not a project for somebody just out of the guild, but all the good people are happy with their existing parties.” “Well, we need somebody,” said Ragnar. “Ever since Rascal died, we’ve been seriously below the bar.” “Perhaps we should have asked him what his real name was at some point,” offered Astra. “That might convince people that we actually care.” “He was a very private person,” replied Celebror. “It’s not like we never asked. It’s just that he always dallied over the answer. It was almost like he’d forgotten it himself!” “Shhh.” Astra nodded towards a young woman approaching the table. She was dressed very much for adventure and looked experienced. Her leather armour was clearly well cared for, but the marks of battle could easily be seen in it. A sword swung at her hip, with a small buckler on the opposite one. A backpack could be seen beneath her green cloak. Her face was largely hidden by the long brown hair that hung down both her back and in front of her, but she walked confidently. “Gentlemen. My lady.” She bowed floridly when she reached the table. “I believe that I am the answer to your prayers.” Ragnar looked her up and down, making no pretence of doing anything other than evaluating her. He finished his inspection at her sword. “Can you use that?” She shrugged. “Enough. My main weapon is my music.” Ragnar visibly sighed and Celebror kicked him under the table. “My apologies,” the wizard said. “Our friend here hasn’t had the greatest of experiences with bards in the past. May I ask your name?” She raised her hand. “It’s Jaena, and no apology necessary. I’m aware that some other of my profession have been known to be unreliable. However, I am different and would like to join you in order to show how different we can be. Our music can create magic outside of the skill of anybody else, and I want to show how a bard can be an indispensable part of an adventuring party.” “Excuse me,” said Astra, “but you don’t seem to have an instrument. Are you a singer?” Jaena nodded. “Yes, but primarily I use this.” She opened the bag on her back and pulled out a concertina. “Lutes are so last decade.” Ragnar’s head made an audible thump when it hit the table. A few days later, they stood outside of a great chamber, having already navigated the cave system leading to it. Many a monster had fallen to their blades, and Jaena was proving her worth. She fought alongside Ragnar on the front line, her voice ringing out throughout, never tiring, and keeping their spirits up. Even Ragnar had laughed at some of the jokes and witticisms that she threw into the seemingly improvised lyrics. Now, however, was the moment of truth. Beyond this opening lay the dragon that was the object of their quest.
The ground as they entered, along with the cave walls, was frosty. Celebror, proving his earlier point about thieves and magic, had made himself invisible to scout out the chamber, and seen that the dragon was asleep. They prepared for battle, Astra calling down the blessings of the gods and Celebror casting various incantations to bring them myriad benefits for the battle. Ragnar stretched and started to swing his sword, whilst Jaena pulled out her concertina and ensured it was properly tuned. “Now you pull that out?” Ragnar asked. Jaena nodded to him. “Yes – I’ve been saving it for now.” Ragnar shook his head, clearly still unconvinced of the true benefits of music in battle. “Everybody ready?” he asked, taking his sword into both hands and marching to take the front position. Astra stood next to him, hefting her own staff and nodded. Soon Celebror and Jaena did the same. It was time. They ran in, Ragnar giving a battle cry which was enough to awaken the beast. However, it was still groggy and unable to bring its terrible, frosty breath to bear before they could reach it. It’s teeth and claws flashed as Ragnar moved his sword swiftly, deflecting and taking his chance to strike whenever he could. Astra circled around the beast, avoiding its wings and tail, making her own attacks when she could. Celebror stood back, chanting and letting loose incantation after incantation as energy flew from his wand to strike the great white beast. Jaena waited at the back, singing her usual encouragement, but not yet playing her instrument. The beast swung round, managing to strike Ragnar with one mighty set of claws, whilst batting Astra away with its tail. Taking the opportunity of the distance created, it took to the air, flapping its wings and creating enough of a gust to keep the adventurers from getting close. Ragnar dropped his sword and pulled his bow from his back, whilst Astra turned her attention to prayer, sending holy blasts of power to strike the dragon whilst it flew. It pulled back its head, and they could all see that it was going to breath. And that was when Jaena finally acted. Just as the icy cold erupted from the dragon’s maw, she pressed down on her concertina and sound to match the dragon’s roars filled the cavern. Her words changed, becoming angry rather than jovial, and the enormous sound of her instrument hammered into the flying beast, melting its icy breath as it moved, slamming into its head. Momentarily dazed, it fell to the ground, and the adventurers fell upon it, swinging weapons and, before it could recover, it was dead. They stepped back, catching their breath. As Astra began to call upon the gods to heal their wounds, Ragnar and Celebror looked at Jaena as she carefully put the concertina away. “What?” she asked, feigning surprise at their reaction. “How did you do that?” asked Celebror. “As I said, music can create magic far greater than any other when applied properly.” Ragnar grunted. “Well, Forestbrook is safe now, and I guess you’ve passed your probation and are in the party.” He looked at the others for a moment before he continued. “I still think singing and music making in battle is silly though.”
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Flash FictionSome shorter fiction, usually based on some kind of challenge. Archives
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