Bardess, The

The Bardess
by Daerlynn Soulmyste

A bardess I am, just simple and true
I sing and I dance and I play
Nothing else there be that I'd rather do
But travel the realms day by day.

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And winding roads beckon me on

For sailors I sing the songs of the sea
To soldiers of defeating foes
Early evening the songs may be quite bawdy
And of love when candles are low

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And busy roads beckon me on.

One day while I was teaching and singing
To the farmers of their harvest
While I sang in my ears were then ringing
Children's laughter from Fayrin's Rest.

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And laughing roads beckon me on.

The children were all laughing and playing
Pretending of wondrous deeds
While an army approached with hounds baying
The town was then quickly besieged

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And warring roads beckon me on.

Now the peasants and farmers all gathered
Bringing pitchforks and axes and hoes
I knew that their small force would not matter
'twas only to death they would go

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And shouting roads beckon me on.

Organizing themselves in their Town Square
With their lives they hoped to delay
They knew a relief army would be there
To save their town the next day

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And waiting roads beckon me on.

As I looked at these husbands and fathers
Heroes giving their lives for their kin
One long look from one to the other
Then I pushed myself up front through the din

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And fateful roads beckon me on.

I stood there and started explaining
Their sacrifice would be in vain
The army of trolls and their minions
Would cut through them like scythes through their grain

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And bloody roads beckon me on.

Since dark evening, it was softly falling
We had to hold out the night
The carnage would be appalling
If these brave men attempted to fight

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And loving roads beckon me on.

I'd go to the enemy army
And beguile them with magic and song
The town would lose nothing to send me
They could still fight if I was proved wrong

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And empty roads beckon me on.

I went to the enemy's encampment
As bold as a bardess can be
"Show me to your general's tent!"
I cried, "I have something that he needs to see!"

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And bolden'd roads beckon me on.

Like a leaf I was all trembling inside
While I stood before the evil old troll
But this fear I knew that I must hide
While music off my tongue then did roll

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And fearful roads beckon me on.

I played and I sang, recited and danced
With my music a web I did weave
My bard magic worked to enchant
Troll officers, them to deceive

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And magic roads beckon me on.

For me the night lasted so long
But for them time passed quickly away
Truer testament ne'er was, to a Bard's Song
That I sang 'til the dawn of the day

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And singing roads beckon me on.

As the welcome sun brightened the skies
I heard an Elven horn, ringing and clear
Then I looked deep into the troll's eyes
And saw there his rage and his fear.

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And dark'ning roads beckon me on.

He then beat me and threw me and scarred me
He destroyed my cittern and fife
He then gave me to his leering army
To use me and then take my life.

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And ending roads beckon me on.

Always wanting to be someone's treasure
Of regrets, this my only one
But now I was used for soldier's pleasures
Their wanton lusts and for their fun

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And lonely roads beckon me on.

I was put to every horrible use
They sated every nightmarish dream
My throat had always been used for the muse
Even now, I did not use it for screams.

I travel the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sing for my keep, I'm a wand'ring Bard
And silent roads beckon me on.

Passed around and abused 'til the elves did draw nigh
With wounds my soul and body were rife
And then finally with one last shuddering sigh
My spirit departed this life

I traveled the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sang for my keep, I was a wand'ring Bard
And Starry Roads beckoned me on.

Do not weep for me now, those who listen
For the children still laugh and they play
I want no teary eyes to glisten
Just lift a glass to the bard Aurilae.

For I traveled the realms from Theren to Shard
Bringing laughter and stories and song
I sang for my keep, I was a wand'ring Bard
'Til the Starry Roads beckoned me on.

Now the Starry Road has beckoned me on.