“Could you, Brownie?” The Queen of the Dark Enchanted Forest begged, her huge brown eyes twinkling with evil intent. “Please?”

“Minstrel Bronwynn Lyriel.” The King of the Dark Enchanted Forest interrupted, snaking an arm around his wife’s shoulders and ordering - nay, begging. “Now is not the time.”

“Well,” Brownie began, “It’s actually perfect–”

“Ria, tell your friend you’ve changed your mind.” King Keith leaned down and breathed seductively into the Queen's ear.

"But I really want to hear it!" Henrietta pouted up at him. "Just this once? As a wedding present?"

There was a forced pause as he held off as long as he could… but eventually, the Dark Lord gave in to the whims of his adorable wife. His voice strained against an inner pain that stemmed from embarrassment and uncertainty. "Alright."

Brownie could only imagine, since the only other song written about King Keith was anything but flattering. Eating babies wasn't the kind of thing you wanted sung about you at your wedding.

"As you will, Your Viciousnesses."

Henrietta snorted quietly at the address.

Bronwynn’s fingers lightly plucked a melody that she’d spent the better part of a week perfecting. Her new lyre harp, Danielle, had been given to her from a dragon's hoard. King Keith had awarded it to her for her part in escaping slave traders with his wife.

She regretted bashing the kidnapper over the head with Suzette, as it had cost her a life long friend. Brownie missed that lyre harp. Her cousins in Peldeep had gifted Suzette to her for her tenth birthday, and she’d been playing it for thirteen years now.

Still! She had a new instrument. And the fact that it rarely went out of tune and fit perfectly against the palm of her large hands made the sting of losing sweet Suzette slightly more bearable.

Brownie checked her character sheet to see how much mana she had left. She wanted to make this song a Sensation.

Character Sheet

Name: Bronwynn Lyrial

Occupation: Bard

Level: 31

Experience Points: 6360/7750

Hit Points: 221/221

Mana Points: 150/238

Bonded: Belladonna Windrunner

Class: [Minstrel]

Title: Half-Human 0, Rogue 10, Bard 20, Minstrel 30

Attributes: 10+(42)

Strength: 19 (+5 Race Stat)

Dexterity: 18

Constitution: 15

Intelligence: 17

Perception: 17

Charisma: 21

Skills:

Sturdy (2), Knife Play (6), Siren Song (6), Inspiration (1)

Perks:

Reinforce, Conviction, Hidden Dagger, Blade Bond, Retrieve, Piercing Wave, Strength of Sound, Idol, Inspire