Yiler's Story: Chapter 6

By Yiler Huang

The sun was setting, the sky was getting dark. Damon walked on the crowded street, where people had just finished their dinner. Damon reached for a small pack he brought with him and pulled out a small bag of coins his mother prepared for him. He thought this would only be a one-day trip and he would not need to use them, but all the tasks that occupied him proved him wrong. He picked a restaurant on the street and had his dinner. He then found an empty public field with several apple trees to rest in. In a city as safe as Silvereach, one can usually sleep anywhere on the street without worrying about any danger, though most people still prefer to sleep in a house. Damon sat under the shade of an apple tree as he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

A rounded object fell from the apple tree and hit Damon on his head. He woke up from his sleep, trying to figure out what just happened. He looked around and saw an apple rolling next to him. He then looked up at the branches of the tree and realized there was a slim figure sitting in between the branches. He was wearing a robe and a pair of sandals, his hair ran to his shoulder. In contrast with his dark clothing, there was a golden lyre lying on his chest. His fingers ran back and forth on the precious instrument, playing beautiful melodies as he hummed a song quietly. 

“Whoa, I didn’t notice you up there,” Damon spoke, though he hesitated because he didn’t want to interrupt the artist’s playing. The musician paused and looked at Damon. 

“Well, now you do.” He spoke in a depressed tone.

“I’m looking for a person called Roderick Chantweaver, do you happen to know him?” Damon asked politely. 

“You are talking to him right now, young man,” Roderick answered, still sounding a little sad. 

“Oh… Why are you on the tree, then? I thought you were touring recently. Your fans are dying to see your performance.”

“Alas, poor people. I’m afraid that they will not be able to see my performance anytime soon.”

“Why? And you still haven’t told me why you are on the tree.” Damon asked curiously.

“A lot of people are looking for me.” The sorrowful musician said. “To tell me to play a gig for them, are you also one of them?”

“No… Well, yes. I’m here to convince you to play a gig here, in Silvereach.” Damon said.

“Why would you want me to do that?”

“It’s… complicated, but I need your help right now.”

“Tell me about it,” Roderick said in a curious tone.

Damon explained the journey he’s had so far. Trying to get a fish for his uncle, an eagle for the fisherman, arrows for the archer, snake wine for the fletcher, and now Roderick’s gig for the snake wine dealer.

“That’s an interesting story, but I’m afraid that I still can’t play a gig for you,” Roderick spoke sadly.

“Why is that?”

“My dog, Maverick, went missing a week ago, and I still can’t find him. I always have him with me on the stage, I can’t perform without him.” Roderick explained.

“Well, but if you played a gig for your fans and tell them that your dog is missing, perhaps they would be willing to help you. It’s a chance for you to ask them for help.”

“I’m sorry, young man, but I can’t perform without Maverick. I’m just… too used to it. I’ve always had him with me, only with him that I can perform. I perform better when he’s around.” 

Damon couldn’t understand why the man was unwilling to perform without the dog, he thought for a bit and said “What about your fans? They’ve been waiting for your gig for so long.”

“I have Maverick with me on the stage every time since I started performing, I don’t think I will be able to change this habit so easily,” Roderick said sadly.

“Well, it’s not changing your habit. It’s just… doing it a little differently this time. I’m sure Maverick will be back soon, after your gig.”

“I’m sorry, I still can’t. Performing with Maverick is just something that I always do.”

Damon started getting frustrated, he didn’t quite know why the musician couldn’t perform with his dog. He suspected that even Roderick himself did not know either. He spoke hesitantly. “What if I can find Maverick for you, would you be willing to perform?”

“Oh, you’re a kind man,” Roderick answered in a surprised voice. “You’re willing to help me?”

“Yes, I can help you to find him. But in exchange, you need to play a gig in Silvereach if I find him.”

“Of course, I’ll be more than happy to perform if Maverick is here.”