The Ballad | Singer

"The song ends," Elias whispered, "but the story stays with you. Don't let it go cold."

He packed his lute into its worn velvet case and stepped back out into the rain. He had no coin in his pocket—he never asked for any—but as he walked, he hummed a new melody. He had seen a soldier in the corner crying quietly into his wine, and a merchant sharing his bread with a stray dog. The Ballad Singer

For a long minute, no one moved. No one reached for their ale. "The song ends," Elias whispered, "but the story