Chapter 34: A Stunning Performance

Sean looked at Windsor in disbelief. "You can play the lute?"It was hard to believe that this big, strong man had the skill of a minstrel. Windsor nodded. In Stormwind, the nobles all had some knowledge of music; there wasn't much else for entertainment."The lute the count has is similar to the lutes in my hometown. The string positions are alike, so I think I can give it a try," Windsor explained."Alright then, Count. Can he play in my place?" Sean asked.Before the count could answer, Brodie, who was standing nearby, spoke up. "Count, how can you let this commoner touch your lute? You—""Be quiet!" Count Rivers said impatiently, scolding him.Brodie shut his mouth immediately."Do as you like, but if his performance isn't good, you'd better play yourself," the count said, handing the lute to Sean. Sean wasted no time and passed it on to Windsor."Now, let's welcome this 'commoner' to play us a tune," Brodie shouted to all the nobles in the hall. "Since he's approved by Lord Sean, his playing must be outstanding. I hope his music can bring a bit of chill on this warm spring night!"Brodie's shout drew the attention of every noble in the hall. They stopped chatting and looked towards Sean. The last part of his remark even made many nobles laugh.Windsor took the lute and walked towards the edge of the dance floor while adjusting the strings. That was the best place for the sound to carry. After what had happened, Windsor in his commoner clothes became the center of attention, as he represented Sean. Even Lucas stopped dancing and stood at the edge of the dance floor, waiting quietly for Windsor to play.All eyes were on Windsor—filled with disdain, doubt, scorn, and curiosity. But Windsor, who had held a high position in his previous life, wasn't nervous at all. He gently tuned the strings and began to play.The tune he played was Lion's Pride, a tavern song from the Lion's Pride Inn in Goldshire that he had learned in his free time. It had a simple melody, so he played it quite smoothly. At first, he made some mistakes and the notes were off, but gradually, he made fewer errors. As he played, he thought about the tavern in Goldshire, Stormwind Kingdom, and the young Anduin. He might never see them again. With these thoughts, his playing became more heartfelt.At the beginning, the nobles were full of disdain. When the music started to go off - key, many of them laughed. But as Windsor got better and better, their looks changed from contempt to shock, then to seriousness, and finally to concentration. By the end, the whole hall was silent, and everyone was listening intently, not making a sound. Brodie had planned to criticize the performance after it ended, but he was so immersed in the beautiful melody that he forgot what he was going to do.When the song ended and Windsor left the edge of the dance floor to give the lute back to Sean, the nobles finally snapped out of their trance."Bravo!" Count Rivers was the first to react and started clapping.The other nobles in the hall joined in, and the applause lasted for over a minute."Thank you all!" Windsor bowed politely to the nobles."Five hundred gold coins!" Count Rivers said. "I'll pay five hundred gold coins. Sean, will you sell Windsor to me?"He looked at Windsor with eager eyes. "Come to work for me. I'll double—no, triple—the salary Lord Sean promised you!"Count Rivers was already bored with women, wine, and fancy food, but he had a great love for music. The lute he used was made by a top lute - maker in Anjou Kingdom, and he was always looking for new sheet music all over the country. When he heard Windsor play, it was like a thirsty man in the desert finding water, and he wanted to have Windsor for himself.Windsor could guess what the count was thinking from his expression, but he remained calm and looked at Sean.Sean definitely wouldn't sell Windsor. Without Windsor's [Taunt] skill, his own life might be in danger. "Count, my fief is short of people right now. It took me a lot of effort to find a good helper like Windsor—""One thousand gold coins!" Count Rivers interrupted him abruptly.One thousand gold coins! The hall was filled with gasps. That was a huge amount of money. The monthly fee for hiring a Silver - rank warrior was about 40 - 50 gold coins, so one thousand gold coins could hire a Silver - rank warrior for two years. If we think in terms of bulls, which are a strategic resource for a fief, an adult bull costs about 15 - 18 gold coins. So, the count was offering the equivalent of 60 bulls, which was a very high price.Sean was tempted, but he still refused. "Even if you offer two thousand gold coins, I won't let him go. You know I was just attacked, and I don't have anyone to protect me... But here's an idea. When the situation in my fief stabilizes in six months, I'll send Windsor to Yorn City. I won't charge you a single gold coin. How does that sound?"Sean had no intention of sending Windsor to Yorn City. The last part was just a polite way to give the count a way out."Alright, then what do you think, Windsor?" Count Rivers asked, still not giving up."Since I'm now Lord Sean's captain of the guard, I'll follow his orders," Windsor replied perfectly."Okay, then. I'll welcome you to Yorn City in six months," Count Rivers sighed. "Let's continue the banquet. Windsor, your playing was excellent. Let's have a chat..."For the rest of the banquet, Count Rivers kept asking Windsor all sorts of questions. Brodie didn't dare to cause trouble anymore since the count was with Sean. Jessica left the hall after provoking Brodie, and no one knew where she went. Lucas went back to throwing noblewomen into the air. This went on until the banquet ended.