[center][b]Golden River Inn[/b]

[color=00FF00][b]Sheng Qingling[/b][/color][/center]
[@Salsa Verde]

Song Shi's words made Qingling reassess his situation. He knew that his parents believed he was dead, so hoping that they would come look for him was a vain hope. In another corner of the inn, there was a slight commotion, drawing Qingling's aural attention. Apparently some drunk had thrown his work order at some travelers. Qingling wondered why someone would simply throw away a chance at good, honest work, when his sensitive ears heard the drunk's compatriots complaining that the job was too dangerous. As it turns out, there had been a recent uptick of violence on the roads. In addition to the occasional bandit, a murderous couple had been cutting a bloody swath, hunting down Taoists on some sort of vendetta. Qingling's eyes widened. This was the sort of news he had been waiting around to hear.

Qingling turned his attention back to Song Shi. [color=00FF00]"Perhaps you're right. I hear there's a caravan leaving town tomorrow, but what about yourself? I would feel much safer to have a friend to travel with, but do you not have your own destination?"[/color]

[hr]
[@Zeroth] [@Cu Chulainn]

That night Qingling spoke with the proprietor of the Golden River Inn, letting him know that he was leaving and thanking innkeeper for his hospitality and the opportunity to work for room and board.

The following morning, Qingling found himself standing in front of the gate with his guqin in its massive case, strapped to his back, wondering how he was going to weasel his way into the caravan. He had found this location by eavesdropping on the previous holders of the work order. He was unsure if these men really required music, but it was worth a shot. Readjusting the guqin on his back for comfort, he approached the caravan, [color=00FF00]"Salutations, I am part of a traveling performance troupe, but I was separated from them. It appears that your caravan is going in the direction that they were headed, so if you don't mind, might I hitch a ride? I can make it worth your while by providing some high-class, musical entertainment."[/color] he wasn't exactly sure if she would show, but he hoped Song Shi would join him.