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Selene shrugged. "It's not terrible," she answered, despite thinking it was. "Actually, it sort of is," she amended her statement after a pause. No sense being diplomatic about it. "The arm-crossing suggests you have a similar opinion. Am I wrong?"

Simon steps up on stage next to Sir Ian and turns to regard the crowd. "My name is Simon Anion, and before the jokes start, yes I'm well aware of how it sounds. I shall be singing for you tonight the Tale of Bonnie Earl."

After his bow, Simon effects the mannerisms of an older man lecturing the younger generation and begins his song.

When young I started seeking,
for love and things in dreaming
I set out with clouds a'streaming
and a hat upon my head.
I began with grave intention
hoping for divine intervention;
nothing could prepare me
for the things I learned instead.

At first I looked for battle
seeking mail and sword to rattle
but they herded us like cattle
and we never did see a fight.
I stood in fields for hours,
among the pikes and flowers;
I decided it was time to go
and snuck away at night.

I've been roamin' five and twenty,
seen war and king and shanty,
I've known boastful men aplenty
who've yet to kiss a girl.
Yes, I've roamed the whole world over,
seen men both drunk and sober
but I've never seen a man can
drink as much as Bonnie Earl.

I moved in royal places
a king took me to 's spaces,
to master courtly graces
and to learn of lordly might.
I took the good king's offer,
but emptied out his coffer,
and with loaded bags a'weigh with gold
I disappeared from sight.

In time I met a lady
in a spot all dark and shady,
with words I was quite handy
and we talked long into night.
That eve she let me bed her,
her fam'ly said to wed her,
so with a price put on my head
I left with morning's light.

I've been roamin' five and twenty,
seen war and king and shanty,
I've known boastful men aplenty
who've yet to kiss a girl.
Yes, I've roamed the whole world over,
seen men both drunk and sober
but I've never seen a man can
drink as much as Bonnie Earl."

I traveled at my leisure
taking sights in mortal measure,
the world became my treasure
and I thought myself complete.
Then Earl, he grabbed a flagon
and emptied out the wagon,
that night he drank enough
to knock a strong man off his feet.

Now Earl's a man of forty,
his hands are rough and dirty,
his oaken limbs are sturdy
and he smiles bright as the sun.
Of books he has no teaching,
nor wise men and their preaching,
but a happy man he'll always be
and drinking is his fun.

I've been roamin' five and twenty,
seen war and king and shanty,
I've known boastful men aplenty
who've yet to kiss a girl.
Yes, I've roamed the whole world over,
seen men both drunk and sober
but I've never seen a man can
drink as much as Bonnie Earl.

In all the times I'd wander,
for rumors I grew fonder
of the man who didn't squander
his good ale or his good cheer.
Says Earl, he is no thinker
but no wisdom there be deeper,
"There's nothing so great in this whole world
like drinkin' addled beer."

I've been roamin' five and twenty,
seen war and king and shanty,
I've known boastful men aplenty
who've yet to kiss a girl.
Yes, I've roamed the whole world over,
seen men both drunk and sober
but I've never seen a man can
drink as much as Bonnie Earl.

At the end of the song, he bows again and offers the stage over to Sir Ian once again.

Selene looked to Fyrin. The party was not her sort of thing. "Want to head below deck before someone tries to involve us in something?" she invited Fyrin. "Too many men up here." Realizing what she had said, she averted her eyes for a second, then added, "You don't count because you're all up in bandages and such."

"A beard?" Selene replied, putting on her best horrified expression. "If ever you take off the bandages, I shall, I assure you, die of fright." She led them to the deserted belowdeck area. "So, what to do to pass the time? I imagine we can scrounge up a deck down here, or some dice, but knowing sailors I'd guess both to be rigged." She paused, blinked twice, and came to a realization: "This is going to be a very long journey."

Trade insured the roads to Rokva were good, and her trip was simple. Still, the sky was darkening by the time Leona saw the city. A faint sheen of sweat lay on her forehead plastering her yellow hair to it. She wiped a hand along the delicate skin, which had already started to redden in the sun, flinging it to the ground. She’d ridden through the day, pausing only momentarily for her horse. A spelled caparison had kept it cool and dry, lessening its need for rest.

She dismounted at the gates of the port city. Thankfully there were still a few hours before they would close for its safety at night. That had been her deadline more than the ship’s departure, which was sure to leave at tomorrow’s first light. Her knighthood would have allowed her access after dark, but discretion was her current priority. Simply being away from the Queen’s side, a rarity during the Prince’s lifetime was cause enough for suspicion. Though as a citizen she had a place on the ship that did not insure trust. It would be worse if gossip had already spread her scandal here.

As planned, she gave her mount to an innkeeper, refusing his money. He didn’t offer twice. Selling it at the markets would have taken too much valuable time. And she doubted gold’s importance in the faraway land. Even knowing her way, the crowds were difficult to part. She’d become too accustomed to the luxury of space that being at the Queen’s side provided. The upcoming darkness did not promise quiet she’d foolishly hoped for. Many were making their way from the jobs of the day to various taverns they’d spend their leftover money at. They made her nervous. The urge to protect her friend, whether she was there or not, was hard to deviate from.

Before she had reached the docks she could see the ships’ brilliant colors. She allowed a small smile. It had been years since she’d truly been to sea, but the salty spray brought back memories. She was aware this would not be a pleasant trip like the ones she’d gone on as a child when her father took her to check his merchant ships. This would be work, but that wasn’t something she feared. She wouldn’t be the only one ignorant of a sailor’s work. Learning quickly had always been a skill of hers. Nearing the edge of the dock, she stopped before the blue vessel which music and general gaiety spilled out from. A party. It wasn’t a surprise. She didn’t expect many to return from this war. A last night of fun would do them good. What was surprising was the General’s large form blocking the plank leading aboard. She knew there would be guards, but someone so high up? Why wasn’t he with the Prince? She kept her face impassive as she climbed the slope, stopping before him. With a graceful salute, that didn’t show how long it had been unused, she greeted, “Lord Dullahan, is there room for another?” Even with her chopped hair, Leona assumed she would be recognized. What she hoped was the man didn’t ask why she was there. Either way, his reaction should hint at whether the gossip had reached this far.