Arrival in Tallia

It has been a long few weeks, my friends. To say the least, the sailors nearly threw me overboard when they learned Ungruld was swiftly defeated! But I kept them within the tale, ending it so clumsily with the tale of the dragon Drukov. That satisfied them for the rest of the journey. Thank heavens the Winter Tribunal uncovered that dragon so long ago, or I may have been at the bottom of the Dragoncrest Sea by now.
Speaking of Dragoncrest, I finally arrived at Tallia. Truly, it is as beautiful as the old bards had said. Rich with ancient aqueducts, formed by might of war and crises of the crown. Tallia truly has one of the most impressive histories of any nation, and the fact that it lives to this day is a testament to it's glory. Tallia still loves their Emperor, the great Deoser. In truth, though, I came here because I am needing more material for stories. Eiren was fun, but many have heard of the Dragonlords and the Winter Tribunal. I'm thinking they should hear some stories that are more exotic.
It is also where some of my extended family lives. Like me, my ancestor Reuel traveled quite a bit, eventually settling here in Tallia. So while I come from the family in Eiren, my dear sister decided to stay with the family in Faraway. It's a messy affair, and family gatherings get quite expensive. Anyways, I came here to visit my sister, Theodora!
Theodora is my twin sister. If you wish to ever find her, it's easy to spot her in her jewels and blue mask. Though I dress as a Lysandan minstrel, she prefers to dress like an ancient Chorus Performer. She was truly quite a brat as a child, but she has grown up in the last few hundred years. She tends to call me an "extravagant" and looks down on me for deciding to be a minstrel. Indeed, Theodora belongs to a grand theater trope called the "Muses of Myrna", made up of Amazonian bards and herself. They have preformed before the emperor before. Which is why, I am afraid, she looks down before me, as I have never preformed before a king. It is quite an odd thing, for I went to a bardic college to learn and now I am low on funds, while she simply had talent and now is quite wealthy.
This trip to Lontitano was costly. I prayed that Theodora would help me with some money, but I also wish to learn some local legends from her. So, I arrived at her house today, the 10th of August in the year 2A 162. When I arrived at her house, Theodora was surprised to see me and welcomed me in such open arms.
"You're filthy," Theodora told me. "Jethro, where have you been travelling?"
"I was on a ship," I told Theodora. "Lots of sailors. Oh, but I told them quite a tale! One of some heroes from Icenglav who rescued a princess from a vile dragon."
Theodora tapped on her chalice as she drank her fine wine. "Sounds cliche. I just hope you got paid for such a tale?"
"Well, uh, no," I admitted. "It was more just for fun, I guess. I did get money by telling the story of the Dragonlords for the voyage costs, though!"
"Jethro, this is why you're still a stick in the mud." Theodora paced before me. "You gotta exploit everyone for the experience. Clearly, you have failed to learn from the bards of old, despite telling tales of them."
I folded my hands together as I sat on her luxurious sofa. "I suppose I just get so excited to tell the stories. Which, actually, is why I came to you. I am in need for more material."
"Ha! I figured this day would come!" she scoffed at me. "College boy, old Jethro, running around thinking he's gonna be rich, now crawls to me in need of help. You studied lore all day, but forget the personality behind the individuals. This is why I became an actor: I prefer to live as the characters, not simply talk about them."
I rolled my eyes and bowed my head. "Yes, yes. I am desperate. Is there any way you can help without making fun of me?"
"Oh yes, of course." Theodora gestured to me, and I followed her. She took me to a grand library, showing many histories and plays. Grand epics from around the Sea of Dragoncrest, of heroes fighting monsters and gods. Many of these, I feel, are fictional, but Theodora has no qualms telling tales she made up herself. (I, on the other hand, am a grand purveyor of history. Let that be remembered!) Theodora pulled off a book from her shelf, showing a tale called "An Odyssey in Dragoncrest". "No doubt this may suit your needs, brother?"
I looked at the book, flipping through the pages. Many of them were blank. Confused, I looked up to Theodora, who was simply smiling through her blue Mask of Emoting.
"Confused, my brother? It is because that tale has not been written." Theodora took the book back to her living room, and I followed. "Yes, Vanu-Am does strange things, like gift me this fine collection. Surely you have heard of the Lady of the Lake?"
"Yes," I answer. "She was instrumental to the victory of the Dragonlords, through the warlock Riley Woodhame. Yet she remained a mystery to me, as her worship is still so minor and mysterious. What have you learned, sister?"
Theodora mused before me, and then lifted a finger. "My brother, the Lady of Fate is not so constrained to your understanding of 'time'. What you may know about dates and events is only what she has revealed to us. As bards, we are her servants. We make up the tales, and they suddenly become truth."
"That sounds like lying," I reply.
"Who is to question it?" she asked. "Where you there when the Dragonlords slew the lowly Qenlynn Millerstone? No, only our ancestor Reuel, the Chronicler of the First Age. Yet that age has passed with him. Who knows? He could have made the entire thing up. History, dear brother, is so fragile and questionable. If we approach it like you do, with a sense that we must be honest all the time, you are left with more questions than answers. Have you ever questioned Reuel's portrayal of Wulfric Dragonbane, for example?"
I paused. "He was a mighty warrior and hero, of course I have. His knights proudly protect Keller to this day."
"Or maybe he was a bloodthirsty barbarian," Theodora proposed. "A man who enjoyed the killing of dragons, for it was the only thing that gave him purpose since he was born a bastard. I spoke to you truth, but in the legend of the Dragonlords, Wulfric is portrayed as a heroic sentinel. And Slytoff Han, the powerful wizard, was a liar and cheater who swindled his way to the top. Gilliam Maydestone was immensely greedy. Tequila Cambow was a man of very little faith despite being a priest. And Riley Woodhame! He had a lust for power, and the Lady Vivian gave it to him because she was a scheming eldritch being who needed him."
"But that is only half the story!"
"And so is what Reuel wrote, my brother," Theodora whispered. "Which is why, as bards, we control the story. We place in our perspectives. So do not accuse me of lying, for even you lie in your telling of history!"
I felt defeated, frankly. Everything I learned from the college, everything I learned about historical facts and legends... Were they all lies? No, I don't think so, and neither did Theodora. History, my friends, is a delicate thing, including ancient history. Things must be questioned to get the whole story, but sometimes, even the whole truth cannot be found.
"It's depressing," I sighed. "Theodora, what am I going to do then?"
Theodora smiled at me. "How about we go through this 'Odyssey in Dragoncrest' legend. When the story progresses, we fill in the blank pages. Oh, but a single Muse will not do for this story, so perhaps you can help me?"
"That sounds wonderful!" I exclaimed. "When do we begin?"
"I shall need some time to prepare, my brother. Find some actors, find their characters. Once those are ready, we shall have an adventure within the ancient days of the Empire of Tallia. We shall be the Chorus."
And so, dear friends, I shall be experiencing a new adventure with Theodora my sister. I shall leave my personal journey here, for now, as I record the adventure we portray. There shall be more Chronicles of Talamh soon enough.