Chapter 12: The Wandering Minstrel

After the events in Lyssandria Lance and the gang make their way back to Isonomia and on the way they decide to make a stop in the merchant town of Alamos

”GET YOUR FRESH FRUITS RIGHT OVER HERE!”

“WE CARRY ONLY THE FINEST SILK!”

“COME HERE AND GET THE BEST BOOZE IN ALL OF ALAMOS!”

“Wow this town is so lively! It reminds me of Lyssandria!” A mesmerized Carolyn squeals.

“Feel free to explore to your hearts content, we’ll be lodging here for tonight,” Fluffy encourages the group.

“YAAAY! I wanna check out the clothes shops. wanna come with Aria?” 

‘Can we get some sweets too big sis?’

“Excellent idea! I saw a Gelato store not to far from here. Lets check it out!”

Lance begins walking in the opposite direction.

“Alrighty then. That settles that. I’m gonna go to the Blacksmith and have maintenance done on my gear.” 

Allen thinks back to his one sided loss at the hands of Cutlass.

“I may need to upgrade myself, I think I’ll tag along.” Allen says as he and Lance rush to the Blacksmith shop.

‘Well it’s good to see everyone get along, I was a bit worried about that Allen fellow, but he seems to have a good head on his shoulders. Now then, I must find us some lodging for the night.’

As he begins walking towards the hotel district he pauses realizes he forgot an important detail.

‘Goodness gracious! Sir Lance never set up a place for us to rendezvous! Not to mention Miss Aria and Lady Carolyn went to opposite sides of the town. Oh sire, why must you always make things so complicated for me?’ Fluffy thinks to himself with tears rolling down his cheeks.

Meanwhile at the Alamos Clothing Shop..

“WOOOW!! There’s so many different clothes to choose from! Aria are you sure you don’t wanna try anything? I’m sure this dress would look super cute on you!” Carol squeels grabbing a maid's outfit and holding it up above her head.

Aria pays no attention to Carolyn and instead sits on the bench thinking to herself.

‘Big sis has been at it for hours. And she still hasn’t picked a single outfit out/I think I’ll go check out the town for a bit.’ 

Aria then wanders throughout the town taking notice to all the activity that takes place in the town. She takes notice to a street performer juggling blades while on a unicycle as well as a magician that can make a flock of doves fly out of his hat. She also comes across a man who swindles his customers with a pebble under the cup trick.

‘Being a mage myself, I know this isn’t real magic, but none the less it’s still entertaining to watch!’ Aria thinks to herself.

As she gets to the less populated side of the town, Aria begins to hear a beautiful melody in the distance.

 Captivated by the music she begins to float towards the outskirts of the town.

 Eventually she makes her way to an old fountain. A tall man appearing in his late twenties sits playing a lively tune on his ocarina. He has long black hair, light skin and green eyes. He dons a tall dark green fedora with a red feather stuck in it to go with a matching dark green cloak that partially covers his white button up shirt. Completing his outfit are a pair of fine gray pants and black boots as well as a large case which houses a lute within it.

Surrounding the man are stray cats, dogs, mice, birds, and other animals who came by to hear his beautiful melody. 

Aria unable to contain her excitement quickly floats over towards the man which causes the animals to get frightened and scatter.

“Hmm? What have we got here?” The man says out loud.

‘I’m sorry mister. It’s just your music sounded so beautiful. I’ve never heard anything like it. I didn’t mean to scare the animals away.’ Aria says with a disappointed look on her face.

“I hear you speak yet your mouth doesn’t move. Are you using magic young lady?”

‘Mhmm! My name’s Aria! Nice to meet you!’

“Aria. What a beautiful name! Pleasure to meet you. My name is Harmonious Alexander. I’m a wandering minstrel.” The man says taking off his hat and bowing to the young lady as a sign of respect.

“It’s alright friends. This young lady means you no harm!” Signaling for the animals to come back as he begins playing his Ocarina once more.

The animals make their way back to the fountain to enjoy the music once more, surrounding themselves around Aria with several birds flying over giving her flowers causing Aria’s eyes to twinkle with excitement.

“By bringing joy through my music is one way I feel I can right the wrongs I’ve done in my lifetime. 

He pauses for a few seconds.

Though I feel like I can never truly atone for the treacherous things I’ve done.”

Aria gazes at him with a confused look on her face.

“Sorry I’m just rambling to myself. Hope I didn’t upset you in any way.” Harmonious says to the young Aria fabricating a smile.

‘No, not at all! I can tell just by looking at you that you have gone through a lot. But your music makes everyone happy, so I think that’s something to be proud of!’

A tall sketchy man and his gang make their way to the fountain and approach Aria and Harmonious scaring the animals away.

“WELL LOOK WHAT WE HAVE HERE! LOOKS LIKE SOME RATS WANDERED INTO THE WRONG SIDE OF TOWN!” 

Meanwhile at the Blacksmith shop..

“I’m sorry sir, on behalf of Isonomia we will cover all the damages.” Lance replies to the distraught store owner.

“LEAVE! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!” The shopowner says chasing the two out of the store while furiously swinging a broom at the two.

Moments later..

“Allen what the hell man?!”

“What?! You saw how that customer was looking at me!”

“That doesn’t mean you retaliate and leave the shop in shambles!”

“Oh okay coming from the guy who destroyed that bar back in Lyssandria.”

“That was different. He started it! And I don’t recall seeing you back at the bar.”

“That’s not the point! Ah whatever, I’ll be more careful next time.”

The two then glare at each other for a few seconds then break into laughter

“Hahaha you know, this sorta reminds you of the old times doesn’t it?” says Lance

“Aww man we used to get into so much trouble back in the day.” Allen says resting his arm on Lance’s shoulders. 

“But that was the only blacksmith shop in town and really needed some new gear.”

“No worries, Lord Alaster has one of the finest blacksmiths in the country working in his kingdom. We can pay him a visit after I give report to Lord Alaster.” Lance tells his friend

“Laaance!!” Carolyn yells running towards the two with tears running down her cheeks.

“Hey buddy. Your girlfriend ain’t looking too happy.” Allen tells his friend jokingly nudging him with his elbow

“I lost Aria! She was with me at the shop but then she just disappeared! We didn’t even get our Gelato yet! I’m such a terrible sister!” Carolyn says beginning to bawl her eyes out.

Lance walk up to Carolyn and places his hand on top of her head

“No worries Carol, Aria runs away all the time, lets go look for her. We can all grab gelato afterwards.

“But what if she gets attacked by bandits?! Or monsters?!”

“Haha Monsters? I doubt she’ll run into any of those around here, but I’m sure Aria can hold her own against a few bandits.” Lance reassures Carolyn

Allen puts his hand on Carolyn's shoulder

“Yeah Carol don’t w-“

*POW* Carolyn bashes Allen on the noggin

“W-What the heck was that for?!” Allen says with a tear in his eye rubbing the enormous bump on his head

“HMPH! Only Lance gets to call me Carol!” Carolyn says crossing her arms and sticking her tongue out at Allen.

Allen looks towards Lance with a look of confusion

“Now, now you guys play nice now!” Lance tells his friends trying to calm them down

"BUT SHE STARTED IT! UGHH forget it.."

Back at the outskirts of Alamos Town..

“YOU GUYS ARE IN MY TERRITORY! PAY THE TOLL OR ME AND MY BOYS WILL MAKE YOU PAY!”

“Stand back young Aria. I’ll take care of these guys.”

‘But I can fight too!’ Aria protests to Harmonious with frustration.

“I’m certain you can, but a young lady such as yourself shouldn’t dirty her hands on lowlifes such these. Now cover your ears.”

“LOWLIFES HUH?! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU CAN DO AGAINST THESE NUMBERS?! GET EM BOYS!” The man yells as he and his gang rush towards Harmonious.

Harmonious then begins playing a sharp distorted melody on his ocarina causing the group of men to grab their heads screaming in anguish as they drop to the ground.

Harmonious then switches to a different melody causing the group of men to slide backwards in a panicked frenzy. From their perspective this tune causes them to hallucinate and see grotesque figures inching towards them.

Harmonious then proceeds to knock each and every one of the men out before telling Aria she can uncover her ears.

‘Wow! That was amazing! They didn’t know what hit em!’ Aria replies in astonishment to Harmonious’ ability

“Yes. I’ve done many good and many bad deeds with this instrument. Sorry to have put you in such peril young Aria, I really should be on my way before I cause any more trouble.”

As Harmonious is about to take his leave Lance can be heard shouting in the distance.

“ARIA MAGUS ROSARIO! WE’VE BEEN LOOKING EVERYWHERE FOR YOU YOUNG LADY” Lance yells rushing towards Aria

‘Did that man say Rosario? As in the powerful Rosario mages? That’s impossible. They all died.. By my hands..’ Harmonious thinks to himself as he looks closely at Aria and takes notice to the pendant around her neck.

Aria floats over to Harmonious and waves goodbye to the Wandering Minstrel

‘I gotta go Mister Alexander! It was nice meeting you! Lets meet again someday! I can’t wait to hear your music again!’ Aria tells her rescuer as she waves goodbye and floats towards Lance and the gang.

“Who was that guy Aria?” Lance asks as he looks towards Harmonious in the distance.

‘That was Harmonious Alexander! He’s a wandering minstrel, and he protected me from these bandits!’ Aria says with a huge grin.

“WHAA?! BANDITS! I’m such an irresponsible sister!”

Aria Embraces Lance as he holds her in his arms

“You didn’t cause that man any trouble did you?” 

‘Me? No, never!’ Aria replies with a wink

“Atta girl!” Lance replies patting Aria on the head and waving goodbye to Harmonious as they walk back to rendezvous with Fluffy.

“So one life was spared after all.. Thank goodness.. My nightmare is starting to come to an end” Harmonious says to himself wiping a tear from his eye as he places his ocarina around his neck and walks off into the distance.

Coincidence or a twist of fate? Harmonious sets out on his own path while Lance and friends head to Isonomia.