Summary
Wanderer watches from a grassy knoll as Michael practices with the sword. Christopher comes up to Wanderer and asks if Michael reminds him of himself years ago. Wanderer thinks back to his youth.
Charles was a young man from a small village far from Metamor Keep. He had always wanted to be a poet, but his father wanted him to take over his trade as a cartwright. He remembers the boys he got into fights with; they named him Lovell, "the young wolf".
When Charles heard about the Battle of the Three Gates, he only focused on the news that the Keep's court poet had died. Now calling himself "The Wanderer", Charles rode to Metamor Keep via cart. As he walked north from the signpost outside Metamor Keep, an equine morph brusquely asked his business. Despite this sudden demand, Wanderer spontaneously answered the guard's questions in poetic form, astonishing the morph, who introduced himself as Jack DeMule.
Jack took Wanderer to Lord Thomas, who warned him of two things: that anyone who stays at the Keep will change in some way, and that everyone at the Keep must take active duty. Seeing Wanderer's calm demeanor, Jack threw a sword at his feet and ordered him to pick it up. Wanderer looked at him in confusion, which Jack interpreted as cowardice, and ordered him to leave. Enraged, Wanderer grabbed the sword and promised to teach him some manners. Thomas stopped them, pleased to finally see some spirit in him. He asked again if he accepted the possibility of a change into either a woman, a child, or an animal. Wanderer gave witty responses to all three.
Chris reminds Wanderer that he was the only applicant who hadn't left when told about the change. He then asks what he was looking for in the library the day they met.
On that day, Wanderer's change had finished, and he wondered how he would play the lute, lyre, or recorder without thumbs. As he slammed the music books down in frustration, Chris asked if he could help. Wanderer was surprised not to have met him before, and suggested they take their midday meal together.
Wanderer ended up figuring out the new fingerings and strap positions on his own, writing a book about it called "Paws for Music". As they joke around, Chris tells him that he came up to get him for the midday meal. As they leave, Wanderer mentions that the "fool mystic" was asking about a ring with a blue crystal.
Characters
Main Characters:
- Wanderer: The court bard of Metamor Keep. He was the son of a cartwright, but he had always dreamed of being a poet. He left for Metamor Keep immediately on hearing a position available, and impressed Duke Thomas with his wit and persistence. He became a wolf morph, with paws for hands, but he adapted to his new form.
- He wrote a book on how to play musical instruments with paws, called "Paws for Music". The original is in the Keep library.
Supporting:
- Chris: A tutor at the Keep. He works at the Keep library, helping people find the books they need. He became friends with Wanderer the day they met.
- Jack DeMule: The Keep castellan. Though cantankerous and quick to judge others, he ultimately wants what's best for the Keep. He is patrolling the entrance to the Keep when Wanderer arrives. At an audience with the Duke, he challenges Wanderer to a fight.
- Duke Thomas: The Lord of the Keep.
Cameo:
- Michael: A newcomer to the Keep. He is practicing with a sword and shield against a dummy, but is too overconfident.
Referenced:
- Coe: The Keep physician, a raccoon morph.
- Fox Cutter: The Keep librarian.
- IWP: The Keep mystic.
Points of Interest
- The ring with the blue crystal matches the description of the morph ring as described in Alchemy.