"I'm afraid that my name of Edmund Gwenn is all I've ever had and likely all I ever will. I make no claims to be a hero or great warrior, and that is through sober reflection on myself, not modesty, false or otherwise. I am a book seller who has never done a heroic thing in my life. Ashe, among others, saved my life and led me to the place where I could find the son I had thought lost, and for that reason alone I follow him, to help as I my meagre talents allow. If that means I deserve a milk name, than may I also have for myself an oatmeal cookie name, as I have always found the two quite agreeable when combined."
Ashe tries.. and fails to stifle a chuckle at Mr. Gwenn's... candor.
Never done a heroic thing in your life you say? Yet you just "happen" to be in the Cinderlands looking for a way to help Korvosa. I wonder if you've actually fooled yourself. Certainly the rest of us recognize you for the hero that you are
Garridan tries to keep a straight face
. She mutters painfully, 'Why can't Ashe let someone ELSE be that HERO? Let someone else be the Martyr for righteousness!'
How can I possibly reply to that? She sees in Ashe a noble self sacrificing martyr where I largely see a vainglorious boy. Oh, he is a good man but he is SO earnest and self righteous, so convinced that he is right, that his path is somehow superior to ours
"You can't change him from what he is. He is still very young, experience will teach him that he does not need to and, indeed, CANNOT bear these burdens alone.
But, until he matures, know that the rest of us will be doing our best to keep him alive despite himself
Trinia grimaces, "..tha's something I DO remember my Ma telling me... 'There are some things You can't change, and there are some things that change You... a Man can be either or both, but Men are ALWAYS one of the two!'. I don't think sees the need to change from his life goal, that of facing evil wherever he finds it and helping those in need~ unto death if need be... not unless his 'goddess' directs him so. But I thank you, for your assistance in keeping him alive."
"Don't get me wrong, his goal of fighting evil and helping others is a very noble goal, one that I myself share. And, if necessary, I am as willing to die in that fight as he is.
The difference is that I don't WANT to die in that fight and I think that, at some level, he still has the childish dream of dying in some great and heroic fashion. I'd prefer to live, to have children, to eventually retire to a quieter life where I can help in ways other than swinging my sword.
One need not sacrifice everything to fight evil. In fact, one should NOT do so unless one absolutely has to. The ones who survive in the long term are the ones who go on to found just kingdoms or inspire future generations. They are often the ones who TRULY improve the world.
I think that it is likely that all he really needs to learn is a little humility. He needs to realize that he is not as singular and unique as he thinks. That others are equally dedicated and equally powerful.
His agreeing to let me face Cindermaw was a huge step in that direction. Don't give up on him. I think that he CAN change and that our current journey is very likely to change him."
Trinia chimes in, "I'm a painter and entertainer by profession... and with only my voice I can shatter boulders, or charm the most savage of beasts!"
"If you MUST call me something other than .. will do!"
Trinia smirks, nodding~ "...close enough."
As the miles and hours wear on... Ashe keeps an eye not only one the terrain.. but also on his party members... the building heat beating down on them.
Ashe finally, reaches into his and pulls out incongruously a beautiful Jawassan Sitar, a string instrument 5’ft Long & decorated with gold filigree work depicting crocodiles eating storks.
He strums it a few times...tuning its strings... and begins to play...
Trinia rides closer to watch...
Ashe settles on a tune.. his eyes glancing her way a gentle smile forming on his lips and he sings, playing an accompanying tune...
"Lucinda was a maiden Fair,
To her I gave my Heart."
"Her grace so precious and Rare,
Her beauty outshone the Stars."
"Never could I touch Her,
Nor hold her dear warmth Close."
"Yet my soul found Favor,
in the sweet melody of her Voice."
{Refrain}
"Every man must have his Dream,
Lucinda, Lucinda, Your love set me Free."
"The Dream is not real, Tis’ only a Goal,
Lucinda, Lucinda, I’m Never Alone."
"I quested with zealous Honor,
to show my deep-felt Love."
"I sang of her virtuous Valor,
to raise her name up Above."
"Through troubles and strife thus giving my Life,
for no darkness, no fear, No Never!"
"Beside me she’s an eternal Wife,
Naught can be-quake our bond Forever."
{Refrain}
"Every man must have his Dream,
Lucinda, Lucinda, Your love set me Free."
"The Dream is not real, Tis’ only a Goal,
Lucinda, Lucinda, You make me feel Whole."
"I fought in battles Unending,
to win for my Lady’s Cause."
"I fell from wounds of no-Mending,
Broken and beaten – I gave no Pause!"
"She held me in ethereal Arms,
I smiled for her star-filled Eyes."
"My body ebbed scarlet from many-a Harms,
dying soon dead she lifted my head - kissed me my final Prize!"
{Refrain}
"Every man must have his Dream,
Lucinda, Lucinda, My heart’s Fairy Queen!"
"The Dream is not real, Tis’ only a Goal,
Lucinda, without you - A man has no Soul!"
Trinia listens her expression one of ...consternation.
"You wrote that, ?"
He smiles, "Yes. yes I did..."
She looks away, gazing at the horizon... her eyes narrowing.
"So, who's this Lucinda?"
Ashe chuckles... and her expression turns cold. She frowns slightly, "What?"
He replies, "It's not a who... its a what. Lucinda is an allegory for , something I felt we could all use a little of right now... too subtle?"
Trinia gets a somewhat sour look on her face... then she asks, "Are you ever going to write a song for me, ?"
Ashe smiles, "Already have..."
Her expression changes her eyes going wide for a moment, "Really?!?"
Ashe looks to his Sitar still strumming a soothing melody... "...yes."
She waits looking at him... as he continues to tune and play a shifting melody...
"Well? Let's hear it!"
He looks at her his eyes glancing back at the party lowering his voice involuntarily, "...what here? ...Now?"
Trinia smiles somewhat deviously, "Yes, right here.. now."
As little as she wears already, there is not much Akina can do with the overbearing heat. She is cautions to stay hydrated, and remains quiet through most of the journey. The loverbirds only add to wish that she had joined the party scouting ahead.
Ashe gets a nervous look on his face as he begins the tune...
He comments, "..its... not finished, sort of.. and not very good but... well, here goes..."
"I have crossed the seas of time,
To find the one whose heart is mine."
"Crossed the wasted lands of fate and strife,
To give my heart, my soul, my life."
"Frought with pain, tears, sorrow, despair,
I braved all weirds – seeking my maiden fair."
"Finally bonded to my Faerie Queen of night and morn,
Never parted shall our Love be forever more."
“Someday we shall love
...And leave the World behind.”
“Another World above
...Another life we’ll find.”
“Another place for Love,
...Another Endless Time.”
"Come to me my Faerie Queen,
And take my heart and Love for thee."
"In your arms my soul shall rest,
And may the Gods our Love do bless."
...as the melody faded from the stringed Sitar, Ashe replied to Ahalak, "...eh.. I'm a better alchemist and physician than a poet or song composer. The inspiration has to come upon me.. but I cannot call upon it on command and it's..fickle at beat. As for the string melody.. its all the Sitar.. its is a most excellent instrument.. I no doubt anyone could pluck out a passable tune on it!"
Ashe .. clearly his mind more focused on the lovely Trinia gazing intently at him to concentrate on his singing...
Trinia's expression softens and she leans close to give his a soft peck on the cheek, "It was lovely ... t-thank you. No ones ever wrote a song with me in mind..."
Ashe responded~ his blush deepening, "..I-I could not find a rhyme that using your name 'Trinia' would not sound..er forced or ..trite.. so I just... thought of how you make me feel... it was not a very good song ...too short.. I think."
Trinia smiled, "No it was wonderful... so I'm your ...? I like the sound of that...!", she chuckled teasingly...
Ashe rubbed his chin seemingly not sure what to do with is hands...
To change the subject he commented, "I..er did compose a piece for the Church of PHARASMA... as a 'gift' for Bishop gracious continued assistance... its not really a song... more of a piece of poetry..."
He smiles, "I think the Bishop liked it..."
Ashe ponders the Boneseeker's question... and shakes his head, "Our mission is urgent.. but it would be unwise to travel in the dark... when many of the Cinderlands predators are nocturnal.. and the heat of the day has tired us all out. No... the spirit might be willing.. but it does us no good to heap danger on top of hardship unnecessarily. No, we should make camp."
Ashe turns to Garridan, "Friend .. can you find us a somewhat sheltered campsite where our evening fires may not show for miles around? We will need the warmth as the temperature in the Cinderlands drops significantly at night! And I would ask you ponder if perhaps it might be best we travel at night.. when we have rested in heat of the day? We may not see well and need light at night.. but we would then be rested and not worn out by traveling through the heat of the day... active when a good number of the Cinderlands nocturnal predators would be out instead of trying to sleep ourselves! I think night travel would be best.. but you know these lands better than I do.. please consult with the Boneseekers over the possibility of night travel~ I will differ to your s and their wisdom on the matter."
"Unfortunately, I still think that we're better travelling during the day. Early morning through dusk with a rest at noon. We need light to travel at night and that is just seen from too far a distance. If the heat of the day becomes a problem we likely have enough Endure Elements between the party to handle that issue"
As to finding a good camp:
(I'm assuming I'm in favoured terrain)
Akina is fascinated that such a small whistle can play so many various notes. Approaching Ahalak she will ask if she can see it, and how it is made.
Ashe will accept the assessment and follow the directions to the campsite.
Smiling, "Thank you, , but that should not be necessary... I think we can manage to get our camp ordered. Do not tax yourselves overmuch in our behalf.. you need your rest as well. We will set a watch to have at least one of our number on guard duty with you tonight in shifts. I will take third watch."
With that Ashe sets to setting up his travel tent and Trinia begins setting things up to prepare dinner for everyone...
Ashe will remove his full plate armor neatly cleaning his weapons and armor then donning his much lighter Armored Coat from his saddlebags keeping his with him and his sword belt on him at least.
After dinner he will fed, water and brush the horses... then retire to his tent with Trinia for the evening... until his watch. He will keep his longsword, Armored coat and Celestial shield near at all times though not on when sleeping.
"I'll use the magic that Desna has granted me to stay awake all night on watch."
Barring any untoward occurrence... at third watch... Ashe will leave his tent with the sleeping Trinia, armed and armored fully in his regular Full Plate armor and weapons. He will nod to the still awake Garridan... and walk the camp perimeter... casting for any sources of potential threat near the camp before returning to the camp fire to stand sentry.
Akina offers Ahalak the rare gift of a kind smile. "Thank you, I would welcome a song, if you are willing before our journey is at its end."
Ashe watches as the other bed down and move to their own groups and he finds a large rock to sit upon to watch the fading day as the crimson hue of the setting sun spreads across the Cinderland's horizon...
Its is a spectacular sight... but the beauty barely touches his thoughts or heart... the seed of regret blossoms deep inside as the faces of all those who started the journey to save Korvosa pass in his memory...
He pulls out of his handy haversack.. the beautiful ornate Kitar he claimed from the Evil Rakshasa Bahor of House Arkona...
The white storks in flight painted upon its surface, devoured by depicted crocodiles... an allegory for his own failings perhaps~ suits his mood and slowly he plucks out a somber tune... full of regret... and at least deep personal recrimination...
In his mind the faces are fresh and urnest... and he wonders where they are all now? And can't tune out the voice of his own regret,
The unpredictable but dedicated Risden, the flashy but Wise Hytogg, the grim but Steadfast Shakhan, the Widowed.. but Unbroken Una, the fiery but dependable Diggle...
...his dear friend~ Varrel, horribly abused and yet unbent and staunchly against the rise of evil!
The sweet, inspiring and beautiful Kayla...
The kind-hearted Gronk, the shy Ichabod, his helpful and humble step-cousin Damoc. The free-spirited and supportive Ebon Wings ...
Even, , his Pious and ZEALOUS brother in faith Deriven...
The stable and unyeilding Graxer... who died in his arms...
Then those who were just trodden on by the drive of the quest... Zelania, Astrid, Jessa, Dex... even the brave Jord...
Head bowed he asked the growing darkness and his own 'unforgiving' heart, "Forgive me my companions... how I have FAILED you all! Maybe a little less self-righteousness on my part.. and you would all still be here.. where you're needed.. and missed...?"
He utters a silent prayer, 'Dear goddess... forgive my flawed presumptuousness and blind obsessiveness that has turned few to the light .. and driven those even close once friends ...far away.'
Trinia woke... finding Ashe gone, she stirs hearing the somber tune of his sitar carried on the night's breeze...
She rises and quietly leaves the tent to move close.. her nimble steps making no sound as she listens to his playing from the shadows... her heart touched at his recriminations. For it was nothing less than his self-righteousness that had saved her life and got his companions to take her to the Bishop Keppira to be questioned and the truth of her innocence discovered...
She shuddered to think of what would have befallen her at the queen's hands... especially when she learned of the farce execution Queen Illeosa tried to push off as her own!
But again.. against all reason, against ALL Odds.. her Asherisk had done the foolishly heroic.. and heart-touching courageous thing to not only save the equally innocent Sephira.. but also declare her PERSONAL innocence before all of Korvosa assemble to ... ALL to protect her good name! All at Extreme risk to his life and freedom ... facing down the Queen's guards in her own Castle disguised~ calling himself the ... in mimicry of the well-known vigilante !
His courage and righteousness always led him to do the heroic and valiant thing no matter the odds or the risk...
She could not stand by and let him denigrate his deeds without saying something...
And a song came to her as she walked to his side and meeting his eyes ~ she sang for him...