Chapter One
The Creightur Inn
The downtown courtyard of the capitol city of Moonjire was busy as it always was, day and night. But even with all the commotion of moon-folk strolling and bustling about, there still lingered a sense of calmness and peace that one would normally find at home, and at home is exactly how Noble Squire Cerio Cicero felt as he sat inside the famed, but expensive, Creightur Inn; known for its delighted blueberry pastry treat and warm, blueberry Moche`. The table right by the entrance of the inn was always his regular seat as it delighted him the peaceful view of the strollers and commotion outside as he wrote in his book and sipped his beverage, often warmed to just barely be able to burn his tongue and lips, and almost just as often, a side of fruit based pastries that come flaky and jammed with dairy creme as well as a handful of the kingdoms' fruit; the blueberry.
It took a good amount of discipline to limit oneself from purchasing too many of the creme filled, blueberry pastries and getting carried away with stuffing them into his face like an old hog and ending up fatter than a hog itself, but Squire Cerio has successfully limited his intake of the delicious pastry treat to only two over the years with the occasional exception.
An opened book laid in front of the squire, just over half its pages inked with words and the other half blank and waiting to be written on. He dipped his pen into the ink well while simultaneously taking a bite out of his pastry, making sure he is careful not to drop the crumbs onto the wet ink, an art he has seemingly mastered over the years. Just as he was going to put feather pen to paper, a horse drawn black carriage pulls to a stop outside. He glances at the letter envelope beside him. The musical note drawn on it matched the one that was drawn on the side of the carriage, indicating that it belonged to Maestro Hunie and his extraordinarily talented string orchestra from Oakwooden Kingdom.
One by one, each member of the orchestra spilled out of the carriages that came in half a dozen on the street, stretching and enjoying the warm, morning smell of pastry that lingered in the air. The musicians, all carrying their finely crafted cases that homed their money makers, poured into the inn, ruining the quiet morning calmness with their bickering and talk. Cerio observed both men and women, some short, some tall, but all dressed in light, oak colors reminiscent of the Oakwood trees that grow abundant in and around the Oakwooden Kingdom, as they all took their seats around the lobby.
The last man to walk in through the door was dressed in a light, maple colored tuxedo, and dawned an impressive jumble of curly hair on his young head. Much younger than the squire had anticipated. Cerio gets up to greet the man who carried himself hesitantly and shy, and ultimately seemed undecided on what to do next now that he was here.
"Maestro Hunie?", Cerio calls, already reaching out a handshake before it is even confirmed that he is who he thought.
"Yes I am. Noble Squire Cicero?", Hunie wasn't expecting the squire to be so much more taller than he, and his thin, tree like physique reminded him of the looming vulture trees he had seen while traveling through the Vacancy Lands on the way here and his cold, scraggly hand as he reached it out much like the branches of said tree.
"You are correct", Cerio says as they both shake hands firmly, "I know you've been sitting for quite awhile on your journey but let us have a seat Maestro."
"I have already prepared rooms for your stay", Cerio says as they sat at the table, "no need to speak with the sour lady at the counter, I've already done that for you."
"Why thank you", Hunie says, sitting back in the relatively uncomfortable seat compared to his carriage, and folding his arms.
"So your orchestra consists of twelve musicians correct?", Cerio asks.
"Well, it did, but…"
"Don't tell me!", Cerio's eyes grew wide, "there wasn't any trouble during your venture was there? I should've warned you of the Vacancy Lands…I don't think Lord Cualisto would be happy to hear he has to pay out another large sack of compensation for the loss or injury-"
"No, no. Nothing like that", Hunie assures, "actually the opposite. Along the way I discovered a new addition to my talents. I'm not yet sure if it's her immense skill or the instrument itself, but when she plays her Violin, it is unlike anything you or I have ever heard."
Cerio raised an eyebrow.
"Hm…I doubt that."
"Surely, you would have to hear it for yourself. Deaf ears can't be a judge of music. Actually, I am so confident in her talent that I've decided she is the one to play the Lunar Solo."
Cerio nearly spits out his Moche`.
" You do realize the Lunar Solo is the most difficult section to play, and to make matters worse, it is Lord Cualisto's favorite part. Do you think it is a good idea to set a brand new member of your orchestra to play it?"
"Yes.", Hunie replies confidently.
" You never heard the true story of the man who spent three months in the cells after fumbling his bow out of nervousness? The maestro served an additional month."
"Like I said, I am confident in my new talent, and more than certain that Lord Cualisto would be over-joyed at the entire performance."
"Ah, the hubristic composer I've heard so much about", Cerio chuckles, "Where did you find this woman?"
"Well, right here in Moonlyte Kingdom", he says adjusting the collar of his shirt.
"Ha!", Cerio laughs, "now I am certain this woman you speak of is nothing more than exceptional. Should her talent be as marvelous as you make it sound, she would've been discovered here a long time ago, performing for King Gilbert himself. Great talent in musicianship is never ignored here." Cerio laughs some more than sips his Moche`. Maestro Hunie gazes out the window for a moment as if he were contemplating his next move.
'Ah! Where are my manners?", Cerio waves his hand to get the attention of the lady at the counter, who was in the middle of pouring a beverage for one of the musicians, "Moche`! A Chocolate Moche` over here, please!"
Hunie would hardly call that manners, but still was glad of the thought. He could use a warm drink about now.
"How about right now? Right here in the lobby?", Hunie says as his drink was prepared.
"Right now for what in the lobby?", Cerio says, his laughter a moment ago still hinted on his face.
"She could play something for you now, so you can hear for yourself."
"Heh, no, no. I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise", Cerio says with a teasing smurk, "but if you're that confident, I will arrange for my nephew to conduct lessons on the solo to make sure she is polished and completely ready for the concerto which is in two weeks, might I remind you."
"She seems to be able to learn abnormally quick. I was amazed at how fast she grasped the transition", Hunie's wooden cup of Moche` was placed in front of him, the delightful blueberry hinted fragrance visibly emanating from the beverage.
"Your eagerness is on to something", Cerio squints his eyes and rubs his bare chin, "i'll take your word for it once again, but any note off tune or rhythm of such a sacred song is almost murder to Cualisto's ears, and you will be the one feeling the cold stone of those cells under your bare bottom for it."
Hunie was unshaken by the possible consequences as he sipped his coffee.
"All this talk about the poor woman and I haven't even laid an eyeball on her. Shall we meet her?", Cerio says. The two get up and Hunie leads the way to where the talent in question was sitting after quickly glossing over the room, sitting by herself in the corner table of the inn. She was the darkest figure in the room, dressed in tattered earthy browns and shadowy black threads that covered everything except her fragile pale hands and softly sculpted face that was partly hidden behind the blackest hue of unkempt hair Cerio has ever seen. The Noble Squire was unimpressed with her appreance and grew more distasteful the closer look he was able to get of her. He couldn't tell if she was slightly tanned from the sun or just unclean, and her clothes were less gratifying than the wears worn by the peasants of the Blue Tears district of the kingdom. Surely, Hunie had a plan to arrange for her to look more presentable in time for the concerto, Cerio quietly hoped.
"Misses Arcadia", Hunie says as they reached her lonesome table, "this here is Noble Squire, Cerio Cicero. He is the one managing the concerto we're here for."
Arcadia raises her head up so Cerio could get a better look at her face which was much prettier than the attire she wore would suggest. But her light hazel colored eyes is what redeemed her the most to Cerio's judgment.
" I understand you are quite the protege` with your violin, from what the maestro tells me. I am eager to see- or rather- hear for myself on the night of the concerto. I love a bit of a surprise so I turned down an early sample of your talent", Cerio chuckles, "It also comes to my concern that you are not quite fulfilled in the solo so my nephew can assist but you only have two weeks. Do you think you can be ready in this amount of time?"
Arcadia nods her head.
"Very well", Cerio smacks his hands together, "then without further ado, we shall pay my nephew Mr. Brandwood a visit. Does she have all her belongings?" As he said that, he glances down at the violin case by Arcadia's legs. He could tell from the wood it was made from that it was indeed crafted from the wood of an Arylwood tree which was native to the Arylwood forest of the kingdom.
"Her violin and case was all she had when I found her", Hunie says.
"Wonderful, let us head to Alibria Hills now before Mr. Brandwood gets too busy doing...whatever it is he does at this time of day."