Red Skies - Randy

Already his legs were hurting.  Most people in this part of town were working people or travelers.  So he had run quite a few errands and only now rested, listening to the inn's guests inside slowly waking to breakfast.  A bard's tune floated out into the courtyard and through the gate to where Randy sat, his little body already covered in sweat.  There would be no mercy from the sun today.

Tilting his head, Randy listened closely.  That was a really talented bard.  Turning, Randy peered through the inn door and watched.  After a few moments patience, he saw the bard walk past.  Red robes.  It was a person with the Bardic Gift.  Trained alongside Heralds and given respect for their station, Randy in awe leaned towards the building.

It was a beautiful rich voice that floated out to him.  Instrument-less, the bard made due with the power of his voice.  And it wasn't long before Randy was drawn into the familiar song called "Threes."  Only thing time he felt the emotions and was able to picture the scenes as if he was there.  The bard's Gift working it's magic on him, he sat spell bound and entranced by the beauty of the story.

It was only as the bard finished the tale that Randy reluctantly allowed himself to turn his attention back to his surroundings.  The story had been good.  Two mercenaries, one a mage and one a warrior, had used magic to make them and their animal companion and their summoned companion look super ugly and mangy. Then they had set another magic on top of the first glamour to make them look beautiful and not who they really were.  It was the perfect disguise for what mage would look past the first glamour and seeing only filth look further.

This was the perfect idea for him.  Maybe he could create other identities.  Randy might not be used to running like the other boys, but he was strong from working in the smithy and he was healthy from having a place to live in the temple.  If he could cultivate a different identity such as would match the orphans who also ran messages and errands for those in or near the inn, then with their friendship he could gain tutors to skills.  Like how to clamor to rooftops and run without falling upon them.

Standing up, he eyed a potential customer coming outside.  Best start now.  Quickly adjusting his speech to be less educated sounding and changing his posture too, he stepped forward.