D&D Excerpts
Author's Notes
Set in an improbable future.
An improbably ending to Angel's story. An ending brought on by Resolve's success; Iris wielding Resolve in the god-slaying sword and defeating Aurem before offering to Angel a second chance.
Angel's Improbable Finale
The radiant goddess of bards spoke calmly, with a hint of kindness, “You are free, My child.”
With great care, Angel placed her lute on the ground then knelt in front of it, her gaze plastered to it rather than upward at the deity that stood before her. “I do not deserve your mercy.”
“Then earn it.” Iris spoke.
Angel shook her head slowly. “How could I ever make up for the things that I have done?”
“Perhaps, you don’t. But you can try. You birds are fond of that, aren't you? Trying, in spite of any obstacle.”
“...She’s been in my thoughts for so long… I’ve been pretending, for so long… I’ve been so afraid of… If I’m not even me, anymore.”
“Songbird,” And as the deity spoke, Angel let out a weak chuckle. Her old name. It’s been a while. “Angel is something of Aurem’s devising. Songbird is a bard, a musician. If nothing else remains, then at least, that, is you."
“I’ve nothing to offer the world but song.”
...
But Angel's tone took a promising shift, “And… Like I’ve always wanted. I’ll be bard… Nothing more… And, I’ll be happy with- just that.” Teary eyed, she stood. A flame thought long extinguished reignited; a childish determination. Her, a bard? A true adventurer, wandering from place to place, doing all she can for a broken world… It rekindled her love of the craft, the vision of hope held aloft by her creative thought; a reminder of why she ever even bothered trying to copy that street musicians every movement, even when he told her to give up.
“I have always been a naive bird with a foolhardy dream and too much determination for my own good. Why... Why stop now? I cannot redeem myself. I do not deserve mercy. But I can try. I can try to do everything that I can for this world, to right the wrongs of the past, through whatever means I can come up with.” In a singular swift motion she slung her lute around her shoulder and looked up at iris. “I will try!”
‘Angel’ is in a tavern, playing music, attracting some curiosity. A tavern-goer approaches her, “You’re an odd sort. I’ve never seen one of your kind become a bard.”
“I was always a bard.” She replied calmly.
“Hm. Really now?”
"If you have the time... then let me tell you a story. It’s of deities, grand adventures, impossible magic, and… The end of a Death God. It’s riddled with close calls, sorrow, joy, oaths of redemption and devotion… But at its heart, it’s the tale of a kenku bard and all that she became. Hm. You don’t believe me? Grab a drink. I’ll prove my worth as a storyteller. And, you’ll come to believe my tale.”
...
“So. Have you figured out who I am yet?”