THE TALE OF THE DEADLY BARD

Once, many moons ago, lived a wise King, applauded and venerated across the land, for he had taken a barren dominion and turned it into a thriving centre for trade, and under his guide the people had become – finally – happy.

But the King, though adored, became inexplicably bored once his adventuring was complete and the administration of his reign took over, and began to search for ways to fill his days that made him feel less jaded with life on the throne.

So he held a tournament and opened the doors to all those who resided in his lands, asking them to prepare for him their greatest talents. In return, he would crown the champion jouster from the Knights in his lands and throw the greatest feast the nation had ever seen.

The day finally came, and attendees from the craggy north down to the humid south crossed into the castle grounds on horse and cart, eventually making their way to where the King sat, intently watching each subject.

Many had prepared short skits, thinking the King was interested in a court jester, but a smile did not cross his lips, nor did a laugh pass them. One by one, the fools were led away from the wooden stage prepared for them, dejected.

Acting troupes had made their way to the castle too but found themselves taking the exit as quickly as the fools before them, cast aside as the King rejected them.

And then, when the King had all but given up hope of finding what he was looking for, a man took to the stage, by the name of Zachariah. Zachariah, who had lived a little, and who had thinning grey hair and an almost confused demeanor, was a bard, who weaved a story, littered with songs, about the great King and his travels. And though there were some flattering embellishments, the King instantly knew it was Zachariah that he was looking for and took him into his company at the castle.

The King opened the banquet hall, began the feast, and handed the bard his first pay of gold, up front, so he would begin straight away. The King celebrated as the bard smiled.

Later that evening, the King was found dead, with no obvious cause of death, and nothing remarkable to exclaim, except that the bard had disappeared alongside the sack of gold, and when questioned nobody could remember a Zachariah at all.

Arthur, you should take heed of the story of the deadly bard and beware Zander Zane, a man more than capable of poisoning his partner for his share of the spoils just as Zachariah did to his King. The title of King is one that brings great attention from frauds and scammers, and after all that is all Zane is, just an aging conman with designs on one last payday. He failed to gain his payday at Over The Limit and will only be all the more unpredictable because of it.

Were I you, I would concentrate on the snake in your own midst, rather than the Crow on the outside looking in.