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nSylvester needed something impressive to pull the bards to his side. He required them to respect him, to be in awe of him.

nHis expectations from the Bards were great, and he knew completely brainwashing them would take time. So, the first impression was the most important one. 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘭．𝑜𝘳𝘨

nBut after thinking a lot about it, he came to the conclusion that there was only one thing that he could show the bards to lure them.

n‘I just need to sing like I usually do and shine like a torch. Isn’t this why they came here in the first place?’

n“Stop the carriage once you exit the Holy Land. I will be moving on my horse instead. Felix, Gabriel, Sir Dolorem, Bishop Lazark and Priest Elyon, you all remain behind me in a neat formation and loudly sing after me.” Sylvester gave quick orders.

nThe carriage soon came to a halt, and Sylvester got out to mount his horse. Then, he fixed his robes and slowly moved while keeping the violin in his arms. He produced a calm and soothing melody with the instrument. It being made from the wood of Soul Tree added some effects that made the sound even more calming.

nHe continued to play the violin and soon started to sing a hymn. His voice sounded particularly soothing that night as he looked more majestic in the new robes with the mitre of an Archbishop on his head.

nAs the halo formed behind his head and illuminated the surroundings, the scene looked otherworldly. And when Sir Doloren, Felix and the rest sang after his words in unison, it was worthy of inducing goosebumps.

n?Blessed sons of Solis all around,

nHear my voice. Hear this sound.

nThe meaning is deeply profound,

nPonder on it, and peace shall be found.?

n?Oh, travelling troubadour, you bring a gift so rare,

nYour melodies fill the air with hope, with love, with care.

nFrom distant shores, you journeyed far, to bring your gift so bright,

nTo light up every heart and chase away the cold dark night.?

nAs Sylvester finished the second verse, he arrived at the large camp he had commissioned to be made. It was a magnificent area on the riverside opposite the Bard’s, across the Golden Road. Hundreds of white, large tents covered the field, with many small bonfires lit in the middle with many thick carpets and cushions to sit on.

nIt was a very cosy and welcoming setup, but once Sylvester’s violin started to resound, all the travelling bards left their places to arrive at the Golden Road to see the famed Bard for themselves.

nIn no time, they were hit by the melodious musical instrument and the soothing voice of Sylvester. The words he said were about Soilis and them, and they felt as if God himself was welcoming them.

n?Your voice can soothe the restless soul and ease the troubled mind,

nIt carries all to distant lands and leaves our cares behind.

nYou come here with open heart, and share your songs so true,

nAnd with each note, you lift us up, to skies so clear and blue.?

n?So let your voice be heard, oh travelling minstrel dear.

nAnd let your songs inspire all, and calm their every fear.

nFor you come from across the lands, cold and warm.

nMaking no demands, arrived here to perform.

nYour varied voices help the troubled transform.?

nThe bards surrounded the small entourage, staring at the shining Lord’s Bard, Sylvester, with focus and reverence. They all looked different, in clothes from around the world, with facial features differing from one another.

nSylvester watched them with interest and started to smell a lot of scent of worship coming from the Bards. His singing and the magic of light were working. ‘Alright, to the last part now.’

n?By the will of Solis, here we have all gathered.

nI thank you for coming, and I feel much flattered.

nCome, let us heal with our songs, this world so battered.

nLet us not wait any more and share the joyous ballad.?

nAll the bards around Sylvester lowered their heads, and some knelt to show respect. On the white horse, with the halo, the melody and the voice, Sylvester’s majesty was more than what most of them had expected. He also looked inhumanly handsome at the same time, and that helped a lot.

n?O’ Bards, your songs and stories are heavenly records.

nYour contribution to the realm can no longer be ignored.

nSo welcomes you to the Holy Land this Bard.

nAmen — Amen — Amen — let there be accord.

nMay the Holy Light enlighten us, so I pray to the Lord.?

nSilence echoed once Sylvester uttered the last word of his hymn. Not a single bard remained standing. Instead, they all knelt and bowed their heads in respect. The crackling sound of the wood burning and the sounds of the owls and insects created a serene song of nature, refreshing all hearts and minds.

nThud!

nSylvester got off the horse and saluted them all with a church greeting. “May the Holy Light enlighten us all, my fellow Bards. Please arise.”

nOrderly and calm, the Bards stood up, but they started moving apart and making way for someone, it seemed.

n“I am Elvis Van Marston, the oldest bard present here.” A tall old man came sauntering.

nSylvester nodded and welcomed. “I’ve heard about you, wise bard.”

n‘Who the hell is he?’ Sylvester silently wondered and let the man reach him first before trying to smell the emotions and discern what to do. This was the sort of man he wanted to avoid, old and sly, the hardest to manipulate.

nEventually, the old bard reached Sylvester and crossed his arms on the chest to give a proper church salute. “I used to be a knight, a time perhaps even before your mother was born, Lord Bard.”

nSylvester showed no change of expression but cursed the old man in his head. ‘He’s trying to assert dominance by using his old age.’

nSylvester raised his right hand in reply.

nPat!

nHe placed the palm on the old bard’s forehead and shone some holy light upon the man. “A thousand-year-old or born just yesterday, all are the same in the eyes of Solis. I bless you too, Bard Elvis. May you find solace.”

n‘Oh, interesting. The emotions instantly turned into worship and surprise. Was he trying to test me?’ Sylvester wondered.

nThud!

nElvis suddenly knelt before Sylvester and prayed. “Your Grace, it is a tremendous honour to make your acquaintance. I had heard a lot about you, but now I must confess that all those rumours were unfounded — for you are truly a figure of magnificence, surpassing even the loftiest of expectations.”

nSylvester held the man’s shoulders and pulled him up. “You are a senior, Bard Elvis. Please do not kneel. The Lord made all men equal, and only we created the divide. In the eyes of the church, we’re all the same, for we eventually end up in the same place — in the embrace of the earth as ashes.”

n‘These flowery words, they’re tiresome.’ Finally, Sylvester looked to change the atmosphere.

n“Let’s return to the camp and start the first congregation of the Bards. I had a very specific and important reason for calling you here, but we have a week to discuss that, so let’s feast first and share some songs.” Sylvester loudly announced.

nThe bards made way for Sylvester, Elvis and the rest of the entourage to enter the camp area first. A special tent was reserved there for Sylvester, with Inquisitors standing as guards. But in looks, the tent wasn’t much different from the rest.

nSylvester sat down beside a bonfire near his tent, as it was the largest sitting area in the entire campsite. Moreover, the river was just five metres away from there, so the soothing breeze was highly refreshing even after hundreds of men took seats there.

nOnce all had taken seats, Sylvester clapped his hands loudly. “Please start!”

nWoosh!

nInstantly, dozens of tents around the camp that were reserved for non-bards showed some activity. The flaps opened, and from inside walked out men and women in neat and clean clothes. They had large trays in their arms, and the aroma of delicious meals spread from them.

nNot only that, a stagecoach was brought to the middle of the camp. But, the coach was strange as it opened up from all sides and turned into a three-foot-high wooden stage. On it, four men appeared holding strange musical instruments, which they started to play.

n“Marvelous!”

n“This is God’s melody!”

n“So much warmth!”

n“I feel peace!”

nThe Bards, one after another, reacted to the sounds the instruments made. One of the instruments was like a trumpet, producing a sultry and smoky sound with rich, full-bodied quality. Its deep, mellow tones conveyed a sense of sensuality and nostalgia.

nAnother instrument that seemed like a bigger violin but was played by hand had an even more soothing sound. It was warm and inviting, with a resonant, earthy quality. Its strumming created a sense of intimacy and connection with the listeners.

nAnd lastly, a strange squeezable instrument with buttons on the sides that needed to be pressed by both hands while the instrument hung in front of the chest. It produced a distinct and unique sound that felt more traditional and folk. Its wheezing, breathy tones were both playful and mournful.

nClap!

nSylvester stood up at that and announced something that left all the hundreds of bards in excitement.

n“Gentlemen! By the end of this week, you may take any one of the copies of these instruments. First, there are violins which I play. Guitars that have six strings. The Saxophone that looks like a trumpet. And finally, the Accordion.”

nWoosh!

nSylvester smelled a strong scent instantaneously. It was the scent of utter and extreme worship.

n‘Who said bribes can only be related to gold and silver.’

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