Snippet #2376648

It was dark. It had to have been made from old wood, a strong tree, Alladel thought with a smile. Perhaps one a thousand years old, one that had survived wars and famine and strife, only to be cut down, and made into something completely different. It was more a fanciful notion than actual knowledge, for Alladel knew nothing about flora, certainly not which ones had survived such things. The instrument was longer than most others of it's type, and decorated with the smallest, the most delicate carvings. It looked much like someone had added an extra part to it, since the lacquer changed hue, and intricate metal pieces wrapped the end furthest from the mouth piece. Their purpose was clear, it was to make it possible to create new sounds.

"May I try this one out?" Alladel asked the man behind the stall. For a travelling merchant, the seller was quite fat, with a patchy beard and a receding hairline. His clothing was not that of a poor man, and so, Alladel assumed that this person knew how to sell at a high price.

"If you can play, yes." The merchant replied, as he glanced around to the other stalls at the market, not really bothering to look at Alladel. This was annoying, on a rather childish level. Had his goods not been as wonderful, Alladel would have moved on at once. But this flute really was something out of the ordinary. Besides, no one liked being famous and then not being recognised. Well, at least not anyone as self absorbed as Alladel.

Playing the instrument was no problem. From the first note, it was clear that the flute belonged with the musician playing it. The melody was sweet, happy and lively, but there was also a trace of sadness in it. It was an old song, many knew the words to it, and many had briefly stopped to listen. As far as Alladel remembered, it told the story of a very crafty young woman, who tried to impress a young man she loved. Unfortunately, he loved another, and so the young woman was left burned. Alladel had always found it amusing.

"That's not half bad, that isn't." The merchant said, now smiling, showing a missing tooth or two. Alladel returned the smile, still holding the flute. "I expect you'll ask quite a price for this."

The merchant shook his head, and held up a hand, as if to signal a stop. "No, you can just have it. Belonged to me wife, she ran off with the smith last month. Couldn't get meself to break it, so I'm just happy someone will take it off my hands." He didn't seem particularly bothered by the loss of his wife, but then again, Alladel figured that since she'd run off anyway, there was no use in missing her.

"Let me at least pay you a little, otherwise I'd feel like I was robbing you." Alladel said, while thinking for a moment. It took only a few seconds to rummage through the things in the robe, and an earring came out of it. "Ah," Alladel began. "This belonged to a former lover of mine, I'd say it makes us quite even. The stones are genuine, I guarantee. She too, ran off. But not with the smith."

"Deal!" The merchant said, and the items were exchanged. With instrument in hand, Alladel then headed for the nearest inn. Such a trade deserved a celebration, even if it was a small private one. But there was no rush, and so Alladel walked with slow steps, taking the time to look over most of the market.