Ealasaide’s post
Two young men stood outside the front door to the Green Dragon, both of them looking puzzled. One of them, the taller one with the dark brown hair, shook his head in bewilderment.
"It's true," he said earnestly to his companion. "I swear there was a notice here earlier this evening calling for musicians. It said,
Flute/Penny Whistle player needed, too something-something-something
or if you don't play either of those - that's us -
bring what you have and join in. It was signed Bill or Gil or something like that."
The other young man looked skeptical, then sighed. "Maybe we're too late and they don't need anyone else."
The taller one, Seamus, grinned. "You can never have too many musicians at a handfasting. Everybody knows that."
The other fellow, Owen, nodded and grinned back. "True! We might as well inquire anyway. The worst that can happen is they'll send us on our way. We're already wet to the skin as it is, so I can't see any harm in it. Have you got Shimshin?"
Seamus turned and looked back toward the inn's yard. "I'm sure he's around here somewhere." He whistled sharply between his teeth and presently a small brown body hurtled out of the dim light toward them. Reaching them, the creature climbed confidently up Seamus' leg and took a seat on the man's shoulder, wrapping his long prehensile tail around loosely around Seamus' neck. The spider monkey folded his hands primly across his chest and looked expectantly from Owen to Seamus and back, waiting to see what would happen next. As if by silent decision the two men walked around the inn to the kitchen door. Owen stepped up to it and knocked.
Presently, the door cracked open and the face of an elderly woman, presumably the cook, peered cautiously out at them. Owen and Seamus both touched their forelocks respectfully and smiled.
"Good morning, ma’am," said Seamus in his most polite tone. "We’re very sorry to be knocking so early, but we understand there’s to be a handfasting here and someone by the name of Bill or, uh, Gil, or something like that, was looking for musicians. We’d like to apply, that is, if Mr. Bill is about. I play the
rebec and my friend here plays a very fine
bladder pipe. Shimshin -" he gave the spider monkey and affectionate pat "- is a fine dancer, too, and a great addition to any celebration."
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Hilde’s post
“I should have known it’d might be musicians, coming to the kitchen rather than using the front door,” the woman said. “Come in, come in, the more the merrier!” she said waving them in. Seeing the monkey on Seamus’ shoulder as he passed by, she raised her hand to pat the small fellow. Shimshin caught her hand in his and gently brought it to his lips in a kiss. “Well. He certainly is a good mannered little creature!”
A nervousness suddenly overshadowed Owen. “Er…well, he is a good deal better than many people I’ve seen,” he said quickly removing his cap to reveal a mop of dark blonde hair. Water streamed over his fingers as he clenched the sodden felt. “But if you could just show us where we might find the author of the note, we won’t trouble you any longer ma’am.”
The woman smiled, “Oh that would be Gil, but you won’t be finding him here just yet. Not until breakfast is ready.” She looked down at the spreading puddle of water beneath the two men. “We must find you some place to wait for him, have you had anything to eat?”
“We would be much obliged,” Seamus said. “Though Owen and I are quite used to the outdoors," he explained, "our small friend is not much used to this climate.”
“Yes, he’s from the south,” Owen chimed in, brightening conciderably at the mention of food.