Christopher the Guide

She was a young woman dressed in Huanglong attire, her clothes embroidered with delicate, subtle water patterns. A weathered jade pendant hung at her waist, its tassel showing signs of wear that spoke of its age.

She had delicate features, but there was a stubbornness between her brows that seemed out of place for someone her age. She looked as though she had traveled a long way and asked many people, only to find herself still without the answer she wanted.

"Master Cioccolata," the young woman said, her voice a little urgent. She had clearly been waiting nearby for a long time. "There's something I'd like your help with. Do you happen to know a bard named Rosinante?"

Cioccolata paused and tilted her head, mentally going through the list of Rinascita bards she knew.

It was a small circle, and she had some impression of most of them, whether registered, wandering, or retired.

But the name "Rosinante" had never appeared on any of the lists.

"I don't know him." She shook her head, her tone candid. "I've never heard of him."

Kexi came over as well.

He looked down at the unfamiliar young woman and searched his own memory. The Montelli Family's network of contacts covered all of Ragunna. If he had heard the name, he would never have forgotten it. But he hadn't either.

"I don't know him either. Why are you looking for him?"

The light in the young woman's eyes dimmed for a moment, but quickly returned.

She took something from inside her clothes. It was an old musical-note pendant, its copper surface polished smooth and bright from being rubbed. A line of tiny characters was engraved along the edge, though it had grown somewhat blurred.

"My name is Yaoyue. I'm from Yuezhou in Huanglong." Her voice was quiet, but every word was clear, as though she were solemnly presenting a document carried across mountains and seas. "This belonged to my mother. Her greatest wish in life was to find Mr. Rosinante and thank him in person. But she... didn't live to see that day."

She paused, her fingers gently brushing the engravings on the pendant, then continued:

"My mother came to Rinascita when she was young. She was all alone and penniless, and she nearly died of illness on a street in a foreign land.

"Mr. Rosinante saved her. He gave her food and water, and sang her a song.

"Mother said that song gave her the courage to go on living.

"Later, she returned to Yuezhou, married, and had children, but she never forgot the bard who had sung to her on a street in a foreign land.

"She always wanted to come to Rinascita and thank him in person, but illness plagued her, and in the end, she never managed to make the journey."

She raised her head, her eyes slightly red, but her tone grew more resolute. "So I came. I'll finish this journey for my mother, find Mr. Rosinante, and convey her thanks to him. No matter where he is or how long it takes."

The square fell silent for a moment.

Even the pigeons pecking at breadcrumbs stopped and tilted their little heads to look over.

Cioccolata said nothing, her gaze resting on the pendant.

She recognized the style. Fifty years ago, the bards of Ragunna had followed a popular tradition of giving musical-note pendants as tokens to people who had helped them on their travels.

Few people knew of the tradition now.

If the pendant was genuine, then Yaoyue was telling the truth.

But a bard from fifty years ago, if he was still alive, would be at least seventy by now.

Just then, a gentle, slightly raspy voice came from nearby.

"Rosinante... I may know something about that name."

All three turned at once.

A man wearing a red mask had appeared at some point beside a colonnade at the edge of the square.

He wore a long, dark red robe. His mask covered the upper half of his face, leaving only his sharply defined jaw and a pair of smiling eyes visible.

He stood there like a quiet observer who seemed to have been listening for a long time.

"Allow me to introduce myself." He bowed slightly, his posture as graceful as an actor taking a curtain call. "My name is Christopher, a creator who travels from place to place.

"I'm quite interested in the culture and history of Rinascita, and over the years I've collected many stories and legends scattered among the people.

"I happened to be passing by just now and heard you discussing Mr. Rosinante. I couldn't help listening a little longer. I hope you'll forgive me."

Cioccolata studied him, her brows drawing together almost imperceptibly.

She couldn't say what was wrong, but something about him struck her as too polished-too polished for an ordinary traveler.

Kexi thought the name Christopher sounded familiar. No, exceptionally familiar.

It had simply been too long for him to recall it at once, and he didn't think much more about it.

He had been struggling to find a reason to stay by Cioccolata's side a little longer, and this "guide" who had suddenly appeared was just what he needed.

He stepped forward and asked warmly, "You know Rosinante? Who was he?"

Christopher gave a slight nod, gently stroking his chin as though arranging a long-buried memory.

"Rosinante-full name Rosinante de Gulava-was the most celebrated bard in Ragunna fifty years ago.

"His singing was once known throughout Rinascita. From the nobles' banquet halls to the little taverns by the harbor docks, everyone knew of him.

"Legend has it that his singing could make Tacet Discords keep their distance, bring withered flowers back into bloom, and move even the most hard-hearted person to tears.

"But about forty years ago, he suddenly disappeared from public view, and no one ever saw him perform onstage again."

He turned to Yaoyue, his gaze beneath the mask seeming to soften. "Miss, the pendant your mother received was the highest token of gratitude among bards in those days.

"That means Mr. Rosinante did meet your mother, and he thought her story was worth remembering."

Yaoyue's eyes lit up, like someone glimpsing a distant light in the middle of a long night.

"Then where is he now? Can you take me to him?"

Christopher didn't answer immediately. He tilted his head to check the sky, then looked at Cioccolata and Kexi, the smile at the corners of his lips deepening.

"I know roughly where his last residence was. But it's rather remote and not easy to find. If none of you mind, I'd be willing to be your guide."

His gaze shifted from Yaoyue to Kexi and Cioccolata, his tone carrying just the right note of inquiry. "After all, a connection from fifty years ago being renewed is itself something worth witnessing, isn't it?"

Cioccolata said nothing, merely staring thoughtfully at Christopher's mask.

Kexi had already nodded. "All right, then. Sorry for the trouble."

Yaoyue bowed deeply, her voice filled with excitement she could scarcely contain. "Thank you, Mr. Christopher."

The corners of Christopher's mouth lifted slightly.