Chapter 1: A bard's night
It was late in the evening, quickly approaching midnight. Though the tavern that was located close to the royal plaza was still filled to the brim with patrons who revelled and enjoyed the Lunar princess' night in celebration of another week's worth coming to an end, most of the patrons were locals though none of them from the noble cast. No all the men and woman in there were all commoners, living a simple though enriching life.
An average length woman stood at the tavern's window, a smile on her dark red painted lips, long strawberry blonde hair, and fair marble pale skin. Autumn Delight smiled as she surveyed the tavern through the window; she loved this little cosy place knowing the owner quite well, having played at the tavern ever since she had become competent enough with her lute. "It's busy tonight" she said in her soft gentle voice, casting a glance over to the stoic guard’s woman to her left. Smiling warmly the bard patted her on the shoulder "Come, let's see if we can't entertain them."
"yes, your m- I mean Autumn."
"Still not used to this are you? maybe next time I should take auntie Tia with me." She chuckled and opened the door slipping in without allowing the red haired guard to form a reply, of course only Autumn knew she was a guard as they both were dressed in rather simple travellers clothing, though the bard was dressed in somewhat more extravagant clothing, form fitting faux leather trousers and matching boots with a matching vest and a hat with a long phoenix feather to top her outfit off.
Entering the establishment she was met with a small cheer from the regular patrons whom she knew by their appearance although not everyone seemed to acknowledge the bard as she entered. She offered the proprietor of the tavern a small winning smile along with a wink as she approached her. Taking a seat at the bar "Evening Berry, It's a busy night think there's a chance they would let me play?" she asked placing three bits onto the counter as the fuchsia haired woman placed a large glass of wine in front of her.
"I think half of those here are waiting for just that Autumn. This one is on me, without you I would have lost my tavern." she smiled warmly as she gently pushed the money back towards the bard, leaning over the counter with a smirk. "Go on, they are waiting, your fans." She giggled taking a seat behind the counter again as she watched the bard climb off her chair moving to in front of the fire place.
There was a silence that blanketed the room as she stood before everyone, she didn't need to do anything to catch their attention standing tall with her horn glowing slightly to levitate the lute off her back, cradling it in her hands with a warm smile, she still wasn't used to being the centre of this much attention. Her blush was thankfully hidden by the shadows cast on her by the fire behind her self-showing off her creamy pale skin. "Good evening mares and gentlecolts. I'm Autumn Delight and I will be tonight's entertainment." She said after taking a deep calming breath for herself, half sitting down on the side of an unoccupied table, her deep ebony instrument resting on her thigh.
"I call this song *[Back to Horston](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WL9yx5C37w)*" she said with a warm smile looking over the crowd one more time, or rather looking each of them in the eyes as she played the intro, of her gentle melancholy tune on her lute her fingers working the strings almost on automatic. She smiled warmly and eventually started to sing the lyrics in an equal melancholic though slightly upbeat manner.
She slowly allowed her music to die down with tears in her eyes as she softly shifted into her next song a slow paced though more joyful instrumental piece, her lips curled into a serene smile all the nerves that had been bothering her vanished after her previous song was completed she noted contently that the crowed inside of the tavern was solely focused on her music. She paused the playing for a moment taking a sip from the wine glass that she kept in her magical grip.
The moment the music stopped the enchanted crows cheered at her, free form the beautiful intoxicating melody that had them so captivated. The applause was enough to make her blush again, though she quickly motioned for silence in the room as she stood up from the edge of the table with a broad grin on her lips. "Who of thee likes stories of dragons and knights?" She asked the crowd, taking off her coat and throwing it onto the table alongside her lute.
Autumn stood before the crowd, wearing now only her low cut top, showing off the scroll and quill cutie mark above her heart, she sipped her wine as she allowed the crowd to speculate about what she was going to tell. She quickly broke the silence again after draining her cup, motioning to berry for another. "I have a tale about, Love and betrayal. Of a knight and his lady fair." she smiled levitating her lute towards herself, playing an idle background melody calming the crowds chatter a little.
"Along the roads of Seradin the knights rode wearily. One rider spoke of Emalyn, his wife she was soon to be. His wife, dearest Emalyn." She started to tell in a slightly sad singing tone. "No one did spy the Dragon fly, and soar into the clouds. The dragon slew, but one it saved. The knight who spoke of love The knight who spoke of love." She played a small instrumental piece, watching her crowd with a small nod before continuing to the next verse. "The dragon snarled through plumes of smoke, And eyed the rider small. ‘You’ll die this hour unless you give unto to me. A gift to save your soul. Or I shall end you now.'" she sung the dragons part in a more gruff and intimidating voice taking a powerful intimidating stance towards an imaginary foe. She shifted her position to a more weak fearful appearance, kneeling down as if begging for mercy as she continued "On his knees the Knight did plea, And offered up his bride. ‘Her eyes are blue as the bluest skies, and her name is Emalyn, My dearest Emalyn.'" she sung the knight's part in a weak fearful voice. She paused allowing the music to continue in the silence, remaining in her position for a while until she changed the tone of her music slightly.
She continued her story in a different way, taking a seat on the table once more her legs crossed and the lute in her lap. Autumn appearing more regal and noble than she had before, she started to sing in her narration voice, though it along with her melody was more powerful, mixed with sadness and determination. "She sat in a golden gown, Dressed for love and owned by vow. Owned by vow. The breeze swept through her hair, As the dragon met her stare. Met her stare." she stared at an imaginary beast in a feigned a powerful stature though sadness apparent in them. Singing in the gruff dragon’s voice she had used before "'You are mine. Promised by your knight, You are mine.'"
The bard herself was becoming a little emotional with her own tale, along with a few members of the crowd, continuing in the gentle narration voice, she used although somewhat chocked by sadness "She clutched her robe to her chest, Tears disguised by fire in her eyes Fire in her eyes. The Dragon watched her dark resolve Bowed it's head and spoke to her Spoke these words: 'Come now, we will fly as you will it, your knight shall die, he shall die.'" she drew out the word die a little as she finished the sentence before singing in a gentle, caring voice that his a burning passion. "She shook her head and turned away 'He shall not suffer like I this day. My love does stay.'" she hung her head in resignation as she slowly allowed the music to die down; leaving those attended a little stunned. She allowed them to compose themselves, doing much the same as she drained her new cup of wine.
After hours of playing for the crows she finally left the tavern with her personal guard in tow walking back to the palace she smirked at her. "It was a good night was it not?" she looked back at the redhead who was looking quite tired compared to the ball of energy that was Autumn Delight.
"Yes your majesty. Although was that poem about your aunt Celestia really needed? I think she already has a questionable reputation when it comes to cakes." The woman let out a light sigh as she noticed the Autumn shrug lightly as they approached the servant's entrance of the castle.
“I am sure she can handle it Dawn. And it is not like she knows that I'm Autumn Delight.” Augustina shrugged a little as she entered the castle, allowing the illusion spell to drop and appear as her normal self. She stretched her wings full span before folding them once more behind herself, her cloths having magically changed back to the royal gown she wears. “Now to get to my room before…”
“Before what my dearest niece, before we find out you have been sneaking off to a tavern and go out drinking with the commoners?” Luna said as she flicked the light switch with a small frown, standing beside her taller elder sister who wore the same disapproving frown.
“A-aunties… Why are you up!?” she asked shocked trying to hide the lute behind her back, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “I have not been drinking! I have been… using my talent to spread cheer!” she quickly told, thinking that made it more justified for some reason.
Celestia sighed lightly as she approached the young princess, who flinched back slightly as she felt the woman's arms wrapping around her. "You know... you're twenty four years old. You don't need to lie to us about this you know? I would never have said no to you going out." Celestia said, softly patting her niece over the head with a light chuckle. "Although I am happy you were smart enough to take a guard with you at least."
"Yes, at least you did that. Though I am still disappointed in you young lady. You should have asked me along, you know I love being among the people during the nights." Luna said with a small pout. Approaching to pat the girl over her head "Next time, I will join you. Where ever you may be going little one."
"Fine, Auntie Luna. You can come along next time I go, though please I don't want them to know I am an Alicorn. I want to earn my place through hard work and not through my birth right." she nodded gently pulling back from the hug slowly as she slung the lute over her shoulder by its strap.
"my i be excused to my room? I have to plan the next trip" she said with a gentle smile as she looked up at both her aunts.
"Of course my dear" they both said in unison, watching their niece leave the small servant's entrance hall.
"This will be fun Tia!" Luna said cheerfully as she skipped from the room, with a light hum.
"Lulu, you have no idea what that girl has planed. Be careful?" She cautioned, shaking her head as she followed her sister.