Well, I left the palace a frazzled mess, my thoughts full of concern but as I wandered back through the market I found The Goat’s Horn Tavern. Well, I knew I needed to take some time for me to sit and think And I figured that it might help out if I stopped in for a drink. I had to find a way that I could quickly earn my fortune A job combining skill and fun, ideally well proportioned So, what better way to wrack my mind and figure out my life I just need one good idea to make Lucerna my wife! Bar keep! Pour me a drink of the local style! I fear this could take a while! Maybe I’ll be a doctor, a tradesman or a soldier, Or maybe I’ll be a sailor upon the ocean blue I need a good idea to ease the weight upon my shoulder I guess I’ll just sit here and dink until I know what to do Well, Maybe I’ll be a blacksmith, a most respected trade Shaping steel for farmers and forging heroes' blades. But the work is hot and sweaty and would mangle up my hands, then i couldn’t play my instruments, and for that I could not stand. Barkeep, Pass me another one! Looks like I'm back to square one! Maybe I’ll be a doctor, a tradesman or a soldier, Or maybe I’ll be a sailor upon the ocean blue I need a good idea to ease the weight upon my shoulder I guess I’ll just sit here and drink until I know what to do Perhaps I’ll be a merchant selling my goods and wares With a product for every man, I’d be the king of business affairs But I don’t have stock or valuables, and no money to get a start So I suppose that's not gonna work, I’ll scratch that off the chart Barkeep! Another round ova hea’! There goes that idea. Maybe I’ll be a doctor, a tradesman or a soldier, Or maybe I’ll be a sailor upon the ocean blue I need a good idea to ease the weight upon my shoulder I guess I’ll just sit here and drink until I know what to do I could take to piracy and go steal what I need. Such a dangerous life at sea would be exciting, yes indeed! I would certainly enjoy the adventure and the camaraderie. But, I fear I might get too sick to work being tossed about at sea Barkeep! I… no…I need to take a break here for a second. Some coffee is what I need. Thank you. Oh, and... two more pints of mead! Maybe I’ll be a doctor, a tradesman or a soldier, Or maybe I’ll be a sailor upon the ocean blue I need a good idea to ease the weight upon my shoulder I guess just I’ll sit here and dink until I know what to do I can’t seem to make up my mind and nothing is sounding right I need to come up with a plan to relieve me of my plight, I’ll just have to keep thinking while I enjoy another drink But that noisy group in the corner is making it awful hard to think.

With a sudden shocking clatter that caused me great distress I turned to see a group in the corner louder than the rest Such a boisterous group I don’t know how I first missed them. Quaffing drinks and laughing loud, I couldn’t just dismiss them. Peering from my perch of safety on the far side of the bar I spied as best I could gaining knowledge from afar They were planning something big That was plain enough to tell, But they kept their intentions hidden despite their obnoxious yells. Based on the monstrous ruckus though there were not but four, it would be easy to assume that there surely must be more Such a cast of characters This group in front of me, Now I tell you true, my friends this is what I did see The first was clad in armor of a battle tested steel, shouting playful insults between bites of her hot meal. The second was a wizard, which was not hard to see, with a beard so long and flowing it was getting in his cheese The third was clothed in habit and wore a holy sign But I could have sworn that drinking was forbidden by the divine The fourth was a bald man much more shifty than the rest Acting awful innocent reaching t'wards the wench’s….arms... A seasoned group of heroes that seem much more tough than me perhaps I could join in their group and find work easily If I could hear what they’re about I won’t have cause to moan So, I think I'll try to join the party so I won’t be on my own After listening for a while I finally heard it: “Gold!” and if I at first was curious I most certainly was sold As I moved closer to the back I could hear them much more clear and I finally knew what it was they were discussing in their cheer maps were scattered 'cross the table and they had locations marked what must be destinations to which they’d soon embark It seems there had been rumors about robbers on the road stealing merchant’s treasures and looting all their loads This gave me an idea, but perhaps it was the booze, I screwed up my courage since I felt I could not loose. If I could find a way for them to let me tag along then I’d hang back and earn some gold while simply singing songs “I want to join your party” I loudly did declare though much without surprise the entire party stared “I could offer you my service, I think a bard could help your tone" I hope they let me join the party so I won't be on my own. “We’re busy kid” The bald man barked as he shooed me on my way but the one in habit gave me a chance “What is it you have to say?” “What lovely folks, I’ve heard you talk and I think your quest sounds grand. If I may, I’d like to join your cause and maybe lend a hand?” “I think I could be of some use to you upon your quest Go on, give me a shot, just put me to the test" “What skills have you” the fighter asked with a dagger, mace, or sword? Do you think that you could fight off an angry orcish horde?” “What knows thou of the ancient lore” the wizened wizard posed “You wouldn’t know that much of any arcane symbols I suppose?” “How versed are you in the healing arts? The cleric kindly questioned “Can you handle the undead with plague or worse infections?” “Or what about traps or locks? Have you any sort of stealth” The Bald man sneered and sat in his chair, smiling to himself. Now what have I gone and done I am having some second thoughts maybe Lady Luck is not with me and is smashed on the rocks perhaps I’m ill prepared to reap these foolish seeds that I have sewn Oh I have to join this party I can’t do this on my own I thought about their words honestly quite disheartened, but I gave it a whirl and picked up my head and this wisdom I imparted. “It seems that you are very well versed in a variety of valuable skills, each member aiding the rest and a special niche fulfills,” “But it seems there is a spot in your group that you have missed. For who in your group records your tales? the fighter with her fists?” "While you have swords, and magic, and some questionable tools by your side Who is going to know your names, or your adventures after you die?" “It just so happens that I can record your adventure as it unfolds and weave it into a song so fine that it rivals the worth of gold” “And lucky for you, I’m willing to come and chronicle for thee, All I request is a cut of your share and I’ll consider that my fee” There you have it friends, I think I’ve made my point If you give this bard a chance I know I will not disappoint I know that I’m a bit long winded and I don’t mean to drone but won’t you let me join the party so I don’t have to be alone The group turned to discuss and whispered in muffled tones And I started to fear that I might end up completely on my own But they turned to me with smiles so bright “That’s exactly what we need, a hero amounts to nothing if not remembered for their deeds “Come join our party, lad,” The group began to cheer “come read our maps and lend a hand, we’ve got a spot right here” So down I sat with my new friends and we planned an adventure grand, and we figured what needed done before we traversed the land. I will follow these fools through danger that they will face for me and I’ll hang back and enjoy myself and tread most carefully But first we need some armor our blades we must all hone Now that I’ve joined the party, I won’t be all on my own

Before this day was never beauty fair Nor did I know what joy a face could bring. For now I know that none to thee compare, And t'is in praise of Jessica I sing Thine voice did swell with laughter bright and clear, The very air did ring out like a harp, As friends all gathered round in mirth and cheer Together rallied in the field to LARP. With skill and grace you did enrapture me. I lost myself inside thine beautiful Green eyes, as they were all that I could see As thou played thine ocarina skillfully And more thou art than beauty of the skin For thy true gifts are quality within.

As walk did I the fairest fields of green Upon a sea of shamrocks bountiful, Twas there I met an Irish lass serene who spoke of her adventures plentiful. Such joy had I encountered not before For as she spoke did her excitement grow And she began to tell me tales and more Of things I had but scarce the wit to know. Her voice began to flow like honey sweet. She told of all the things that she had seen, Of all the land that passed beneath her feet, And tales of places I had never been. And, lo, when I did ask to come along She said her heart to her true love belonged.

Come gather around and hear my short tail about a bear and a mouse who were friends without fail The mouse and the bear would play in the heather though polar op-paw-sites, they were always together with bear’s optimism he’d fish for some way to encourage his friend each and every single day But the mouse held on to a wish deep down "It sure would be mice to be the toughest guy around" He dreamed of being big and brave like bear though all the other animals laughed at the pair "Mouse, you’re being cheesy,” The animals would mock “your record's squeaky clean, no matter how tough you talk” This saddened the mouse but his friend would always smile “I know you can bear it” which did well for a while But the tiny little mouse grew too insecure and sought out a Witch who might know a cure They approached the witches hut and dropped in for a spell. “if you could transform me that would be very swell” The witch flew around, her ingredients did sweep “it seems my collection’s a little incomplete" “But deep in the woods grows an ancient flower with petals of pearl that holds forgotten power” "Bring me the leaves and a petal or two and then I will cast the magic spell for you” So the mouse and his friend bear-eled out the door Looking for this plant that they’ve never seen before “What a bear of a task” the little mouse said. “I’m beginning to fur that i’m in over my head” They headed to the farmer’s field and there they plowed around. but no trace of magic flower there was able to be found This stemmed to a wider search as they went off like a pistil searching through the lumber that was housed inside his mill The mouse logged on and then logged off as through the wood he climbed then began to scoff “I can’t find it here" the mouse did bark, “We must keep going before it gets too dark" To get to the root of this problem would be best so they turned to leaf and continued on their quest But they wandered too far, in circles they did run. “going round and round like this is pointless and not fun!" and so they still did wander aimless through the wood when finally they found where an abandoned cottage stood "Just in time” said the mouse “I was starting to get bored” as he looked at the planks that had fallen on the floor “This looks kind of hairy, I don’t think we should intrude” “Are you kidding? We’re so close! To turn back now would be rude!” The mouse peered inside and there at last he found the silver petaled flower growing in a grassy mound “This gives me the creeps I don’t think you should touch it!” “Honey you’re so sweet, but for a second: will you stuff it?” A single petal plucked was all the mouse could take before the sun faded black and the floor beneath him quaked Out from the walls in a puff of purple smoke did the spirits of the forest appear in shadow cloaks “be our Geist” they did wail and raised each bony arm as the mouse dove for cover to escape impending harm. With a big and scary roar, bear to the rescue came! “I’ll fight you with my bear hands! Pain will be your name!” He wrestled one, he threw down two, but more and more appeared. They gathered round and held him down his rescue interfered. “This is looking Grizzly” the bear began to shout. The spirits drug him across the floor, and he struggled to get out, Their grip was strong as iron traps the bear could not break free when finally he yelled “Mouse you have to save me!” And that’s when it happened, it bubbled up inside. first it started quiet then could no longer hide Mouse jumped out from hiding and he bellowed loud and stern “If you don’t drop my friend right now, You’re gonna feel the Bjorn!” And just like that the spirits dropped the bear. they looked upon the mouse then puffed into thin air. All around was silent, not a mouse did stir then from outside came the cackle of someone’s laughter Into the cabin stepped the witch a grin upon her face. Said the mouse to her “what are you doing in this place?” “T’is done, my lad,” the witch did cry "The magic has been worked! your transformation is complete and now enjoy the perks!” “But I bear-ly feel different. have I grown more fuzzy?” The mouse looked up and down again but he wasn’t fuzzy was he? “I thought the magic changed me into a mighty bear, but I am Oso small. That isn’t very fair!” “Don’t you see” said his friend “It’s not a change outside! A-bear-ently you had the strength and in that you should take pride. The mouse did swell and puffed out his chest, "it’s true,” he said “I guess you’re right, You really are the best!” The moral of this tale dear friends is simply this, I say, Believe in yourself and trust in your friends, and you’ll find strength along the way.

Out of the frozen lands of the northern wilds green stood the most beautiful forest that you have ever seen. its beauty attracted folks from high and from low, for there’s magic in the forest (as I’m sure that you know)! Then one day there happened to come along some distant traveling folks who were free as a song They had wandered far, many miles they did roam, and they were looking for a place to set up their home the locals had warned them not to build in the wood but from what they could tell it looked like they could they set up their home despite what was said and without much more thinking they headed to bed. They awoke the next morning and they trembled with fright when they saw what had happened as they slept though the night. They screamed, and they moaned, and they cursed their foul luck when they realized their house had sunk deep into the muck. And it sank, sank, sank deeper into the mud It just kept on a-slippin’ in I can’t believe that it could Still it sank, sank, sank, deeper into that goo now I’d like to ask of you, my friends, what could that family do? Well, they scrambled out of the house just as fast as they could and they gazed at the pit where their house last night had stood. They quickly grabbed some shovels and they went on out to work. With every passing second it sunk further in that murk They dug all day long scooping up the earthen soil but hours passed with no progress to show for their toil. Their hopes sank like their house when the sun began to set, But have no fear my friends, this tale isn’t over yet! Just as they were giving up, for they had done all that they could with a monstrous sound a figure came bursting through the wood T’was Corvus the Strong a-riding on his hog And merrily beside him came his trusty hunting dogs Without a single word, but with a cheery smile Corvus nodded as if to say “I can help out for a while” He assessed the situation, and gave the travelers hope as he looped around what was left of their house a hefty piece of rope And he pulled, pulled, pulled the house out of the mud little by little, it came on out I can’t believe that he could Still he pulled, pulled, pulled the house out of that goo Just as I stand before you, friends, I insist this story is true! With the greatest of strength Corvus heaved and he hoed with the rope in his hand he trudged down the road With each tiny step that he managed to take, soon out of the mud the house did follow in his wake The sun was long behind them and the moon did shine so bright you could see the old rope gleaming, it was pulled so very tight Without a pause to rest Corvus pulled so very hard and soon enough they saw their house sitting underneath the stars And he pulled, pulled, pulled, the house out of the mud little by little it came on out, I can’t believe that he could! Still he pulled pulled pulled the house out of that goo That’s why i say to you my friends Corvus is stronger than me or you Now that their house was out, the travelers were filled with shame. They ignored the people’s warnings and knew they were to blame but Corvus simply smiled and continued on his way. They won’t make that mistake again, at least not today. And off into the woods he rode mysterious as he came Leaving nothing but this tale and his heroic name If ever you are in the forest and you think you're stuck perhaps you’ll find Corvus if you’re in a spot of luck

One Summer weekend fair in a grassy field there on Beltane gathered round a goblin tribe To have fun and sell their wares at a Goblin Market Faire with intent to laugh, play, and imbibe Unbeknownst to Goblin kind the lovely pond they there did find held much more than just a pleasant view For beneath the glassy top soon came a noise that would not stop from an awful sounding bullfrog crew Well, at first they did not mind the goblins kind of sighed for they were preoccupied with the faire but when at last the day was done but the frogs’ song still was sung The Goblins started to pull their hair The Frogs sang by the flowers and kept the goblins up for hours No a one able to sleep Then one goblin took a stand Rivka with her recurve bow in hand For displeasing her the price is steep! With a twang of her bow she let the arrows go and through the air they did fly With a whizz and a crack the frogs will not come back For every bullfrog must die She hunted all night until the sun came to light but the frogs were too quick and too sly Many Goblins joined in through the pond they did swim her arrows from the rocks they did pry rearmed by her friends Her quiver filled to no end a shining new confidence showed The next arrow she loosed was as good as a noose when it struck that unfortunate toad With a twang of her bow she let the arrows go and through the air they did fly With a whizz and a crack the frogs will not come back For every bullfrog must die She held the frog high and bellowed a cry as the goblins did follow in tow But it wasn’t quite dead, so they chopped off it’s head her face painted with the blood of her foe Now marked by her kill Rivka hunted them still emboldened and hungry for blood she returned to the hunt for the frogs still did affront Croaking their song in the mud With a twang of her bow she let the arrows go and through the air they did fly With a whizz and a crack the frogs will not come back For every bullfrog must die They put a spit on the fire you could smell it through the mire as the goblins set the frog legs to roast Both a warning to some and a snack in their tum now considered quite tasty to most! Soon another one was hit It's head in twain split it’s tongue dangling out to one side. It was added to the spit As many Frogs as would fit! Soon the frogs all did begin to hide. With a twang of her bow she let the arrows go and through the air they did fly With a whizz and a crack the frogs will not come back For every bullfrog must die Now because of that night Frogs remember this fright and the Goblins are able to sleep But the legend lives on in this Goblin song her tale forever to keep In honor of her deeds she’s known by decree as Rivka the Toad Slayer now With her bow Anphibicide kept safely by her side The frogs still tremble, and how! With a twang of her bow she let the arrows go and through the air they did fly With a whizz and a crack the frogs will not come back For every bullfrog must die With a twang of her bow she let the arrows go and through the air they did fly With a whizz and a crack the frogs will not come back For every bullfrog must die