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Message: <blockquote data-quote="KahlessNestor" data-source="post: 7245277" data-attributes="member: 6801311"><img src="http://i65.tinypic.com/s6jebb.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />Stone MillAfternoonThe tavern had cleared a bit of open space for the new minstrel that had come to Stone Mill from Silverton. Some whispered tales of the Winter Witch, others of the Snow Singer, depending on their views of magic. The young woman couldn’t be more than twenty. She was long-legged and willowy, a dancer’s build. Her long red hair hung free down her back, streaked with white. She blew a strand out of her blue eyes. Her skin was pale and her feet bare. Whispers went through the crowd. Her skirt was scandalously short, and the decolletage low, revealing a pale blue tattoo of a snowflake above her breast. A diamond pendant hung there between her breasts.The crowd grew quiet as she stepped into the open area and she put her violin up to her chin. The silence hung for a moment before bow touched strings. The music was haunting as first, tugging at the emotions. Then it sped up and the young woman stepped out, dancing to the music as she played, evoking memories of fast sleigh rides over deep winter snows. As she danced, the air began to sparkle slightly, a light fall of snow around the young woman. Patrons gasped, some tittering in approval, a bit of light applause, others murmuring about magic.As the song ended, the minstrel smiled and nodded before setting out a bowl for patrons to express their pleasure at the performance.***Later Risia sat in the room she had been given for changing. The coins she had earned were stacked up on the edge of the table and her dress laid out on the bed. She stood only in her undergarments as she looked out at the summer sun over the small hamlet. She pressed her hand to the window and tendrils of frost spread over the glass. She sighed, wishing for winter to return, for the cold touch of the Prince of Frost once more.But that part of her life was over. All she was left with now were his gifts -- and a bit of his power.Risia turned back to the bed. She pulled on a set of sensible traveler’s clothes and then her leathers. It was embroidered with white frost patterns in shiny silvery thread that caught the light like glittering frost. After tugging on her boots, she grabbed her gear and headed down to the common room again to mingle with the locals.The talk in town was all about a bandit that had kidnapped the mayor’s wife and demanding three large diamonds in ransom. There was a notice on the board for adventurers to deal with the problem.“Ale,” Risia ordered. She considered her financial situation. Even though no reward was posted, she didn’t doubt there would be some valuable compensation. “Thank you,” Risia said, flashing the barkeep a smile and sipping at her ale. She would have to look into this.</blockquote>

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