Jerodin Brightfield

A poem by Jerodin Brightfield

From Greyfilth I traveled,

Through forests grown old.

In Demeria I met him,

That Drake clad in gold.

His scales were a shimmer

Of warm morning rays.

‘twas befitting a visage,

For a man of such praise.

But these are but flatters,

No meaning have they.

Let me tell you the story

Of how we met on that day.

From a past unspoken,

On his steed he did ride.

In search of a fortune,

As bright as his hide.

But Demeria be simple,

He knew this too well,

So fate found it fitting

To send him some hell.

From darkness and shadow,

That beast did appear.

No person knew safety,

As it struck them with fear.

It tore through the city,

Its purpose in shade.

As easily the people,

It broke every blade.

As I hid in the tavern,

I feared for the worst,

As all who fought it

Only sated its thirst.

But he rose to that challenge,

As I’m sure he oft did.

The Drake of Demeria,

Made claim to his bid.

He strode out before it,

His longsword in hand,

Ready to vanquish,

That beast from this land.

That monster did scoff him,

Saw no victory for he,

But as the Drake stood valiant,

I felt something in me.

This man not a native,

Put his hide on the line.

For gold, I don’t think so,

A treasure more fine.

Taking my rapier,

I ran to the street.

If that man would suffer,

He’d suffer with me.

The creature was monstrous,

Not easily outdone,

But with two souls committed,

We had already won.

Together we fought it,

Him commanding the fray,

And through our group effort,

The monster was slain.

The people did praise us

And riches were gained.

But to the Drake of Demeria,

All he needed was faith.

For the treasure he sought here,

Was not money nor fame.

It was a conscious well earned,

And a bed to lay claim.

Honored by my bravery,

The Drake took my hand.

He offered to show me,

The worth of this land.

I considered the risk,

The weight of reward,

But for that hero that helped me,

I’d fight by his sword.

And that, my dear listeners,

Is but the start of our myth,

About that Drake of Demeria,

And this bard from Greyfif.

Jakob spoke with me today. I’d seen him at the tavern a few times, but we didn’t really talk, until today.

He saw what I did with Balaviir, taking down that monster. He said I was brave, maybe braver than him. Then he apologized. I think my heart stopped.

He said he shouldn’t have made it weird, and that honestly, he liked my performance back in Greyfilth. He just, he supposed he hadn’t ever really felt that way before. About someone, well, like me. When it happened, I guess reality kind of caught up with him, and he panicked.

He gave me a dagger, said he found it back when he lived the life of an adventurer. Said that, with my new life as an adventurer, traveling with Balaviir, perhaps I’d get more use out of it than he could.

It’s a beautiful dagger, but, honestly I wish he’d given me something else, you know? Something…less tangible.

I think I apologized, honestly I can’t remember, I was so flustered and nervous, but he told me he hoped to see me again. Said it was high time for him to get going, but he hoped we could cross paths again someday.

I agreed. I agree.

I don’t even know how to begin this.

When I first became a bard, the feeling that gave me? This is that and then some. This is rapture.

I don’t know where that monster came from, or what it wanted with Demeria, but when that dragonborn guy, Balaviir, stepped out to help fight it, I just…I felt like I had to as well, you know? I haven’t known the guy very long, but despite the chaos, the death, he stood strong regardless.

When that thing finally came down, and I realized I had a hand in doing that, something clicked. I think I know what I want to do now. I think I have a real purpose, you know?

Balaviir agreed to let me travel with him from now on, and honestly, that’s the best news I’ve heard in some time.

To follow a warrior like him, a true hero, that could mean a lot for what I do. I could create a legend around this guy. “The Dragon Warrior comes!” No, “the Golden Guardian.” No no, that’s stupid.  “The Drake of…” something.

Jakob says he’s leaving. I don’t blame him.

I told him I should probably be heading out too, get back to Demeria. I should have just kept my mouth shut. Told me that was the next stop on his list, and we should meet up there.

It’s hard to smile at someone you know you messed up with.

Regardless, I think it’s for the best. Why not. Nothing left in Greyfilth for me but bad memories anyway.

I messed up. I messed up bad.

I don’t know what to say to him, what to do. The way he looked at me, the way the crowd just…I’ve never seen the crowd fall dead like that.

I’m not doing that one again. I can’t. It was stupid of me to even write the stupid piece.

I know why I started the routine in the first place, and that clearly didn’t mix well with why I wanted to play it for Jakob. I’m such an idiot.

I can’t mess up like that again.

I’m thinking of doing “Damsel in Distress” again.

I tried it a couple times before Jakob came to town, but I want to try it with him in the audience. I talked to Alenthia about it, and she’s nothing but supportive.

I don’t know. I didn’t think it was good enough to try on Demeria yet, but I’ve been tweaking it a little since last I did it. If it goes well here, with him, maybe it’ll give me more than a new act to play elsewhere.

I think I’m in love. I truly, deeply, think I’m in love.

Jakob’s stayed in town far longer than he seemed to imply he would in that first talk we had, and I’m living for it.

After my routines, I stuck around to get some refreshments, and needless to say, I didn’t spend a copper. He wanted to chat, and boy did we.

I…think I’ve met someone. Maybe. I don’t know.

He’s the first person to really like, watch me, you know? Like, really watch me. People like me, I can bring in familiar faces, but this guy? He’s different.

I saw his new face the first night he came in, tucked away at the back of the tavern. Several nights later, he’s hanging out towards the front, watching me play, and I’m right there watching him back.

I had to say something to him. I couldn’t just not. And like, he’s so sweet. So charming.

Demeria’s been nice, really it has, but I think I want to head back to Greyfilth for a bit. I have this idea that, if I travel back and forth for a while, it’ll help me get used to traveling elsewhere.

Dear Journal,

Do you start journals with a salutation? I’m honestly not sure.

Anyway, after what feels like ages of training under Alenthia, she and I have decided that I’m finally ready to go out on my own and be a bard right and proper. She’s suggested I start small, though, so my first stop will be her grandson’s tavern up in Demeria.

I’ve never been to Demeria, but I hear it’s a little different than things here. It’s a trade center, so, hopefully, that means I’ll have more ears to hear my tales and tunes. I’m honestly giddy just thinking about it.

Alenthia says Almor’s a pretty nice guy, so hopefully he’s alright with me soliciting my services in his tavern. If not, I can try busking in the streets, I suppose.

No need worrying myself over nothing. Things are going to be fine, and I’m going to be great. I just hope my parents are fine with it. My dad never was all that keen on my learning to be a bard. Beats what I was doing prior, he’s gotta be aware of that.

Hello everyone, and welcome to the life of me, Jerodin Brightfield, a half-elf bard, traveling through the land of Ulkaizel, alongside my companion, Balaviir, a dragonborn and future legend.

Here, you will find entries from my journal, details on my life, and the answers to any questions you may have for me! That said, if you have anything you would like to say, please, feel free to give me a shout. I’d be more than happy to answer your queries.

In the meantime, please, enjoy your stay. I know I will.