Here's the next chapter, enjoy! I'll admit, this one was hard cause I had to write Luna not using her normal mannerisms. So please forgive me if it isn't that good compared to the others.

The Great Lakes Republic, a kingdom that separated from Royal Woods to give a home to the Human, Demi-Human, Monsterfolk, and Beastfolk. This small kingdom has no king or capital but due to the united species, they have maintained its position as a kingdom. One of its many villages, the village of Norfolk, is a simple trading village that also focuses on construction and farming.

At the tavern, loud crashes and clattering were coming from inside. Then two Bards came running out.

Tavern Owner: YOU SONS OF WHORES!!!

The first Bard was a tall scrawny man with brown hair, a beard, and yellow eyes. He wore a red cape and 2 red belts, and brown and gray clothes. He carried a lute and a sword.

The other Bard was a slightly tall young woman with short brown hair in a pixie cut, freckles on her cheeks, black eyes and possesses a beautiful graceful figure. She is wearing a purple troubadour (traveling musician) hat with a rolled band, left white glove while the other is black, dark violet shoulder cape, purple corset, lavender undershirt, purple skirt, black leggings, and light brown boots.

The two ran away from the Tavern Owner as he chased after them

???: Tristan! I thought you said he wouldn't check on us!

The Bard named Tristan laughed as he evaded a knife thrown at him.

'Tristan': Oh come on Luna! You should know by now my predictions. They are always wrong!

Luna sighed as she dodged a throwing axe.

Luna: Well, tell me you have a plan to get out of this!

Tristan: I do, Songbird! Just keep running!

The two bards fled the Tavern Owner as he threw knives and axes at them, yelling in complete rage as he did. They eventually managed to give him the slip by hiding in an alleyway.

Tristan: Alright, now we just need to get to our

Luna: I think that'll be a problem.

Tristan looked at Luna, who then pointed at what looked to be a wooden house on wheels.

Surrounding were several angry-looking men, they were all watching the area around the wagon. Two horses were tied to the post

Luna: I still never understand why you got such an expensive wagon home.

Tristan: Like I always say, Songbird,Live in luxury!

Luna: You've never said that!

Tristan: Needless to say, we need to get that wagon's horses on and get out of here.

Luna: You got a plan?

Tristan: I've got one better, a Song!

Song - A Bard Skill that all beginners learn. Depending on the Song, the user can inflict ailments that will only last as long as the song is played. Bards must learn Songs to make use of this skill.

Tristan: I think a good Sea Shanty should do it. Any requests, Songbird?

Luna: How about Binks' Brew?

Tristan: A great choice!

Tristan hopped up to the top of a building and began strumming. One of the men 

Man 1: There he is!

Man 2: You slimy bastard!

Man 3: Get down here and take your beating like a man!

Tristan: Ladies and Gentlemen, I present. Binks' Brew!

Bink's Brew - An High Tier Level Bard's Song. Playing this song causes the listeners that be put into a drunken state. This effect will only last as long as the song is played. Afterwhich the effect will gradually wear off.

https://youtu.be/oxtVT8WjKVQ

Yo hohoho, yo hohoho Yo hohoho, yo hohoho
Yo hohoho, yo hohoho Yo hohoho, yo hohoho

The angry men and other people began to calm down as they started acting like happy drunks. Nodding along to Tristan's Singing.

Gather up all of the crew, it's time to ship out Binks' Brew
Sea wind blows, to where, who knows? The waves will be our guide
O'er across the oceans tide, rays of sunshine far and wide
Birds they sing, of cheerful things, in circles passing by
Bid farewell to weaver's town, say so long to port renowned
Sing a song, it won't be long before we're casting off
Cross the gold and silver seas, a salty spray puts us at ease
Day and night, to our delight, the voyage never ends

Suddenly the townsfolk began singing along with Tristan in a drunken stupor. All while Luna snuck up and untied the horses, attaching them to the wagon.

Gather up all of the crew, its time to ship out Binks' Brew
Pirates, we eternally are challenging the sea
With the waves to rest our heads, ship beneath us as our beds
Hoisted high up on the mast, our jolly roger flies
Somewhere in the endless sky, stormy winds are blowing by
Waves are dancing, evening comes, its time to sound the drums
But steady men and never fear, tomorrows skies are always clear
So pound your feet and clap your hands 'til sunny days return

Luna drove the cart around and below the house, Tristan was on as he sang.

Yo hohoho, yo hohoho Yo hohoho, yo hohoho
Yo hohoho, yo hohoho Yo hohoho, yo hohoho

Then Tristan hopped onto the cart as Luna rode off toward the exit of the village. Tristan then sang alone.

Gather up all of the crew, its time to ship out Binks' Brew
Wave goodbye, but don't you cry, our memories remain
Our days are but a passing dream, everlasting though they seem
Beneath the moon, we'll meet again, the winds our lullaby

The drunken townsfolk waved them goodbye as they left. Then joined back in the song.

Gather up all of the crew, its time to ship out Binks' Brew
Sing a song and play along for all the oceans wide
After all is said and done, you'll end up a skeleton
So spread your tale from dawn 'til dusk upon these foamy seas

As the wagon rode off, Tristan slowed down his song.

Yo hohoho, yo hohoho... Yo hohoho, yo hohoho...
Yo hohoho, yo hohoho... Yo hohoho, yo hohoho...

As the wagon left the view of the villagers they slowly became less drunken as the sounds of Tristan's lute got quieter and quieter. Until...

Towns' Men: YOU BASTARD!!!

Luna: How have you not been killed yet?

Tristan: Strategy, Smarts, and a whole lot of luck.

Luna: Real glad your balls got taken by a Mad Witch. Otherwise we'd have a bunch of Tristans running around.

Tristan: Hey! Don't go saying that around! It's hard enough to convince ladies I've still got a pair of testicles with this leather pouch I'm wearing.

Luna: Too much information.

Tristan laughed as Luna made the horses go faster and he sat down. Luna then looked at the wagon

Luna: So why did you buy this thing?

Tristan: Like I always say, "Live life to its fullest!"

Luna: You've never said that!

Tristan laughed as they rode off someone was following close behind.

****

It was nighttime now. Luna was fast asleep inside the wagon house while Tristan walked around outside, feeding the horses, putting oil in the lanterns, and cleaning up his equipment.

Tristan: You can come out now. I know you're there.

Suddenly several men in pitch black robes came out of the shadows.

???: How long have you known?

Tristan: About when you started back at Leo Keep.

???: Regardless, many men whose wives you've slept with have paid for your death. As well as the death of the girl inside, for seducing many sons and daughters.

Tristan: Good luck with that.

Suddenly several daggers came flying at Tristan, who blocked them with his sword, the assassins pulled out their own daggers and charged at Tristan. The assassins clashed blades with the bard and ran off, using hit and run tactics to keep Tristan on his toes. Tristan dodged, parried, and clashed blade after blade until he was starting to feel winded.

Assassin 1: You can't keep this up! A Bard's stamina is too weak to handle long battles!

Assassin 2: You're dead!

Suddenly Tristan charged one of the Assassins, ducked under a slash attack, and pierced the assassin's gut. Tristan parried another strike, made a slicing motion with his hand, and sliced the Assassin's thigh open.

Assassin 1: Bastard!

Tristan panted as the Assassins closed in on him.

Assassin 1: You're struggling ends now!

Tristan: Why does everyone talk when the fight isn't over?

Tristan jumped up high, kicked one Assassin in the head, sent the assassin to the ground, grabbed his neck, and slammed the fellow to the ground, then delivered a gut punch to the other Assassin.

Assassin 2: Aren't you done yet?

Tristan: You have no idea!

Tristan picked up a dagger from the ground and stabbed the Assassin in the eye socket. Tristan backed away as more assassins came from the shadows, he was breathing heavily as his stamina was running out.

Tristan: I'll give you this... You bastards are persistent... Or should I say... You bastard?

Assassin 1: What?

Tristan threw a dagger into the darkness and hit something. 

???: GAAAAHHH!!!

The bard followed up by throwing a lantern into the darkness. Reveals an assassin hiding in the dark, with a dagger stabbed into his shoulder.

Tristan: The Assassin Skill, Shadow Double. You're just one guy doing the job of 20.

Shadow Double - An Mid-Ranked Assassin Class Skill. The user creates clones of themselves out of their shadows. The darker the area, the more clones the user can make.

Assassin: It doesn't matter! You can't win now-

Luna: Destruction Beat!

Destruction Beat - A Low-Tier Skill belonging to Bards. The user plays a series of broken notes that causes damage to all enemies that hear it, if loud enough, it can even destroy weak walls.

Suddenly a loud broken note came from inside the wagon house. Busting down the door and sending a shadow double flying out of the wagon house. Luna then stepped out, her lute had a cut on it.

Luna: Can't a girl sleep in peace?

Assassin: Doesn't matter if you beat one of my Shadow Doubles, I can make more.

Suddenly a Shadow Double appeared behind Luna and swung at her. She blocked the attack with her lute, but instead of the lute being broken up, the blade bounced off of something underneath the wood. Because of the already done damage to it. 

Tristan: Damn, looks like the cover couldn't hold up.

Luna's lute was revealed to be a lute with a metal frame and redwood, with silvery strings and a red jewel at the bottom.

Assassin: She's a Gift Bearer?!

Tristan: The Spellsongstress' Lute. Hey, Songbird! How about some help?

Luna: How about a song? Pretty cloudy, how about, Song of Storms?

Song of Storms - A forgotten ancient spellsong. Playing this summons a powerful storm that will rain down quick bolts of lightning to strike enemies from afar. Requires clouds to be overhead of both user and enemy.

Tristan gave a thumbs up as Luna began playing, the magical lute's glowed brightly as she played.

https://youtu.be/swETmJDFDNA

Come the sun, bells will ring
Off we go a-sailing
On the open sea
Running wild and free

Assassin: What-

Suddenly a droplet of water hit the assassin's face. He looked up to see a massive storm forming overhead.

Wake the wind, let it in
Now our journey will begin
As we play
The Song of Storms

Assassin: Shadow Doubles! Stop! Focus on the female bard!

Dim the sun, in the sky
We will keep our spirits high
Rolling on the sea
A thund'ring shanty

The SD Assassins charged at Luna, but lightning came down from the sky and made them disappear with an intense flash.

Wind will blow, this we know
Gather strength and let it flow
Go and sing
The Song of Storms

Luna continued to play as the storm got more and more violent. Bringing lightning down on the ground and making the shadow doubles disappear with the bright light.

Whipping wind, violins
Feel the rhythm from within
Great sea welcoming
Ever beckoning

Come the clouds, come the rain
Now we form a hurricane
Now we play
The Song of Storms

Lightning roll, thunderbold
Come and fall on this atoll
Now we call the rain
Fall on us again

Tristan ran for cover as lightning continued.

Assassin: Kill her!

The assassin then realized that because of the intense lightning flashes, his shadow clones were being destroyed faster than he could make them

Assassin: Dammit! My clones can't get near her with this all this lightning!

Come the clouds, come the rain
Now we form a hurricane
Now we play
The Song of Storms

Bolt of light, break the blue
Ever shall the storm ring true
Weather now the storm
Stronger than before

Test of might, test of will
Long as this world's turning still
Stand proud 'midst
The Song of Storms

Come the sun, in the sky
We will keep our spirits high
Rolling on the sea
A thund'ring shanty

Come the clouds, come the rain
Now disperse a hurricane
Now we play
The Song of Storms

The assassin was running out of energy to make his shadow doubles.

Tristan: Hey buddy! Look up.

The assassin looked up to see a thundercloud looming over him.

Raise your flag, sing the song

Let them know your heart is strongHero of the wind
Strength comes from within

To your heart, we impart
Never shall we stay apart
We join in
The Song of Storms

The thundercloud then blasted down a massive lightning bolt struck the

Assassin: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

As the lightning disperses and the clouds faded. Tristan came out of cover and looked at the damages done.

Tristan: This has to be the hardest one the assassin's guild has sent to kill me.

Luna: Oh yeah, you're wanted dead.

Tristan: Yup. Hey! This is the first time you were able to see it!

Luna: Yeah, cause most of the other times I was a small kid sleeping in my room.

Tristan: Yeah... Good times...

Luna walked back to the wagon as Tristan looked at the assassin laying fried. He let out a deep sigh.

Tristan: Luna...

Luna: Yeah?

Tristan: I think we may need to split up.

Luna: Tristan- What!? You could've died without me!

Tristan: Yeah, but this is the assassin's guild, and if I learned anything, they are resourceful, probably one of them hiding nearby watching us. YEAH, I KNOW YOUR THERE!!!

The sound of a bush rustling came from the darkness followed by a series of heavy footsteps that quickly faded away in the distance.

Luna: Damn.

Tristan: Yep, they know just about every trick I can do, now they know about you.

Luna looked down at the ground.

Luna: And my spell songs have conditions to make any use of them.

Tristan: Yep, like Song of Storms, can't use if the sky is clear of clouds. And everyone knows about many of the Gifts thanks to an Elf with a wisdom-giving Gift.

Luna: Damn, but where though, my face is known all over Great Lakes.

Tristan: How about with your true family?

Luna: You know I don't know who they are, you don't even know. You kinda just accepted me from them while drunk.

Tristan: Ah, right, right. Well, I heard from some old friends of mine that your siblings are meeting at Midrock Hills.

Luna: Really? That's great! But... What about you?

Tristan: Luna, this isn't my first time dealing with this. 

Tristan suddenly removed his brown hair and beard, revealing them to be wigs, and put on a wig of shaggy black hair. Luna... Was utterly dumbfounded.

Luna: I've known you my entire life... And I've never seen that...,.

Tristan: Hey, that witch took a lot more than just my testicles.

Luna: Well... I guess I should take a horse and get moving.

Tristan adjusted his wig as he talked.

Tristan: Yeah, take one of the horses, I can get another. There should be a map inside. Dammit, I know my head can fit this wig.

As Tristan tried to get his wig on, Luna quickly gathered the map and unhitched one of the horses. As she

Luna: See you around Trist.

Tristan: Stay safe out there Songbird.

Luna smiled at the nickname before wiping the reins on the horse and speeding off.

Luna: Hiya!

Tristan watches as Luna rides off into the night. He then tosses the wig aside and faces the darkness, sword in one hand and lute in the other.

Tristan: A Bard never lies, so believe me when I say this, you bastards ain't leaving here alive!

Several shadow figures leap out at Tristan who laughs like he's singing a song.

That's all for this chapter! I'll be taking a short break to gather everything for the next chapter and make an entire chapter to explain how this world works, Classes, Skills & Spells, Gifts, and Talents, which haven't been explained yet.