Archolia Chapter 65 - The Bard

Now that Amelia has decided to create a play to teach the villagers a lesson about being greedy, she needs to draw the inspiration that she needs to get started.  First, she attempts to make a little money playing her lute.
The villagers gather at the stage and dance.
As long as she keeps them entertained and happy, she’ll stand a better chance at convincing them to end their silly revolt and return home.
To gather inspiration for her play, Amelia begins speaking with the villagers.
She needs to know more about them, their families and their motivations.
The more the peasants can relate to the characters in the play, the better Amelia’s chances at convincing them to end their revolt.  Speaking with Peasant Joy inspires Amelia to write about love and family.
Amelia gathers inspiration on the work day of the peasants from Cameron.
She speaks with another random villager and gathers inspiration on the food and drinks enjoyed by peasants.
Amelia knows that many of the peasants in the village are very religious.  She is positive that including the Watcher and the Watcher’s commandments in the play will help to convince the peasants into returning to their homes.
Amelia has never been much of a religious person.  She has always felt the laws of the church to be too confining and strict.  She is visibly uncomfortable as she stands in the sanctuary, suddenly very conscious of her somewhat revealing outfit.
Watching all of the children at play within the sanctuary sparks inspiration.
Suddenly Amelia feels the need to pull out her quill and scroll. 
The church inspires ideas of the Watcher and faith.
She also describes the feelings of peace and hope that she feels just standing there in the middle of the sanctuary.
As Amelia stands there writing down her ideas, Prioress Ermine approaches the podium and begins a sermon.
Amelia takes a seat in the nearest pew.  If she is going to include information on the Watcher, it would be a good idea to listen to what Ermine has to say. Maybe she can include a church scene in her play.
Prioress Ermine goes into detail about the importance of mercy and compassion.
Amelia listens to the sermon for a while, actually finding herself moved by the message that Prioress Ermine has delivered.  The sermon has definitely given her some fresh material to use for the play.
Amelia leaves the church and makes her way to the castle.  She wants to give the queen an update on the situation, while gathering a bit of inspiration there.  She wants to include  a noble aspect to her play to be sure that the peasants understand that the queen is not happy with their actions.
Queen Chalyela is disappointed that the revolt has not ended, but glad that the peasants have been kept calm and peaceful.  
“How do you propose to end this thing for good?” Chalyela asks once she is told that Amelia’s first attempt at ending the revolt failed.


“I have decided to write and perform a play that addresses their greed and laziness,” Amelia explains.
Chalyela is not convinced that a play would work.


“I assure you your majesty that what I have planned will definitely reveal to them that they are being greedy and unappreciative of your leadership.”
“OK,” Chalyela says, still not convinced, “if your plan fails, I will hold you responsible.”


“Aye your majesty.  I understand,” Amelia says keeping a confident smile on her face, although inside, she is feeling a bit insecure about the whole thing.
Amelia has nothing left to report, but is able to draw inspiration from queen Chalyela.  She notes  Chalyela’s regal stance and firm, eloquent speech.  Just being here in her presence gives Amelia all the information she will need to recreate the queen’s character in her play.
Amelia almost has everything that she needs.  She just needs to get a feel for the atmosphere within the kingdom of Archolia.
Amelia stands in an empty area of the kingdom and looks around, noting the air, the trees, the buildings and the passersby.  She will attempt to incorporate all that she sees and feels into her play.
It is important to her that the peasants understand without a doubt that this play is about them and their disregard for the queen and her attempts to make Archolia a great place to live.
Amelia returns to the Tavern inspired and ready to work.
She could use a nap, but wants to get as much down on paper as possible, while her inspiration is fresh in her head.  She heads upstairs to her scribe table.

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