Talibah - The Egyptian
Chapter 6 - Page 1
Bardic Paths

By nightfall the Bardic Company of three Bards and three Runners had made it to the village Gwernpenn, a small farming community that Taliesin had indicated they should get to that day. But before actually getting there, they had stopped for a short break to rest and let their horses graze. Here Taliesin had presented Talibah with a broach such as he and Kevyn were wearing on their left shoulder, “Though you have the cloak and belt of a Bard, I ought to have given this to you earlier as well. But, I wasn't totally decided whether or not you ought be given out as a fully vested Bard to others yet... so... I guess this is my decision, then... I think I would rather people know for certain you are a Bard. You're due it... Not that you 'must' wear it all the time, you 'know' I don't... But, it shall let the villagers know when we arrive... And treat you accordingly.”

The broach was braided in silver and gold encircling a harp and though delightful to her eyes, also seemed fairly old. “Whose was this?” She said as she fingered it when he held it out to her, “It's beautiful.”

“Broaches are passed down as much as possible. When a Bard passes, their broach is returned to the Council to give to another... Though it has been others before her, this broach was Jenna's... my wife.”

Tears filled Talibah's eyes. “And you give this to me?” she took it and held it in her hands just staring at it as it glinted in the afternoon sun.

“Not many would be suited to have this broach, that's true... But, I also can't imagine who else I could bear to give it to...” Taliesin gently took it back from her to place it on her shoulder. “There you are, Sister Talibah.”

At that Talibah hugged him strongly, the tears tracing her face liberally, “Thank-you... thank-you so much... I am so honored.”

The Runners all watched the exchange curiously, not quite certain what to make of what had just taken place though Kevyn barely paid much heed as he kept track of the meandering horses.

As they entered the farming village, the residents not in the fields at the time came out to greet them as much out of curiosity as anything else. It was a fair sized community whose rectangular stone houses with thatched roofs seemed arranged almost like a wheel with the farmed land spread out behind each one. At the center stood a few other buildings that seemed communal in nature with a fenced in circular area at the very center itself. Having passed a flock of sheep on their way, Talibah wondered if this might not be where they were kept, being surprised when she saw the sheep later put up elsewhere in the countryside.

Having been greeted pleasantly enough and their horses put up in a small stable, the little band was shown what Talibah assumed must be a 'guest house' in this wheel of abodes, for it was rather apparent no one lived there. Though similar enough to some of the villages she had stayed in before with Bardic folk, she was impressed with this one's real sense of organization and fair amount of tidiness. It also looked to be a fairly well off little community for the folk looked like they fed well enough and the children seemed healthy and happy.

To read the rest of the chapter in e-book format, click here.