Intermezzo

(18 Charlatos 5115, The Landing)

Back in her room, the bardess drew the harp into her arms. She dropped the smile that had helped her through the past several days, and sat there for a moment. Her head was swimming in so many layers of confusion. She had no idea what she had done wrong this time.

Her faithful harp comforted her loneliness, and she began to idly pick at the strings, looking for an outlet to the doubt and mounting terror that was threatening her. She found the melody and pursued it, listening for the natural chord progressions to build the song.

The minor key of the verse section helped to set the mood, the change to a major key for the chorus gave it the credibility to support the powerful concept of the lyrics that she wanted for the finish.

The harp’s music flowed with her, and she rearranged the stanzas a few times, then decided to lead with the chorus, and end with the chorus. After all, that was the hook for this song. It minimized the transitions and became a frame for the tender verses.

Setting the harp on her bed, she reached for paper and quill to capture the lyrics. She already knew most of it, but setting it to paper made it seem irrevocable. Tears filled her eyes, but she kept writing. If there were smears, it seemed somehow appropriate for this song.

Once finished, she picked the harp back up and put the music and the lyrics together for the first time. She choked on a lump in her throat that was so large she could not sing by the last line to the chorus. She stopped, and started all over again, tears running down her cheeks.

“There is only one way past this,” she told her harp apologetically, beginning at the top again.

There were more pauses, some sobs, and many new starts. The cycle continued for a long, uncomfortable time until she could sing the song through in its entirety – without tears.

She was numb, drained from the process, but her head was finally clear as she rubbed her harp with a tender touch and put it away.

Author: GSBardess

A young bardess named Luxelle is currently learning her trade and hoping to one day make a name for her songs in GemStone IV. Follow along with her adventures in life and song.

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