The Travel of Sound:

The Travel of Sound:

A band of strangers travelled the lands, passing through the streets of the slums, the paths of the jungles and many perilous journeys of nature. Dressed in great enveloping ponchos, designed with mystical stitches and wondrous colours. Their faces covered with bandannas and large hats with wide round brims that hid their features. They come in varying sizes this band of travellers, a couple was the average height of a mortal man, others were the height of children and a few as tall as palm trees, and small houses.

They carried these strange and peculiar tools, some believed them to be of weapons of war to bring ruin and slay who stands in their way. Yet they were not scarred with marks of battle or looked sharp or even terrifying to behold. They were smooth, beautifully crafted and alluring with a gentle presence. Made with wood, strings, leather and seemingly familiar items. Curious, many folks approached cautiously towards these travelling and alien strangers.

With a crowd surrounding them, this strange band would begin to set up a little arena for themselves. One of the smaller members of the group, with a long wooden rod, draws a perfect circle around them. The same member splits the rod into two sticks and beats them together to get the audience to hush all conversations and to focus on the group. This is a signal of things to start, a performance about to begin. Then a series of sounds come into the air, alive and moving, as these strange rhythmic notes came from these travelling strangers.

First rattling and chattering noises from those with shakers. Next came the sounds of click and clacks, mixing with sharp light and heavy jolts. Later were the hefty beats that rumbled and thundered within the air, resembling the drums of heartbeats. Finally came the strums of these stringed tools that vibrated and throbbed, striking chords that laid deep within the muscles of the audience. These tools were used and played with such professional grace.

These strangers did not lay still, stiff nor static as they performed, for they moved along to these intoxicating sounds. Moving with passion at furious speeds as if natural to move in such ways. Their steps and movement were elegant and charming, causing the audiences to step in ways that filled them with joy and cheer.

The ponchos, the hats and bandanas are taken off with a practised swish revealing a merry misfit band of performers. They wore striking costumes, with each one they wore a different outfit that stands them out from the group. Some looked as normal as any human, yet the rest were at least humanoid in appearance. The audience gasped and awed at these truly peculiar and stunning folks.

There is one member of the group with not a tool or instrument on them. For this person moved with such sensuality and smoothness attracting all those that watched them come ever closer. Then take them all by surprise this one person opened their mouth and released a voice so gorgeous to the ears. This voice was filled with such raw emotion that spoke to a spiritual depth to the people listening. Many cried with a deep sorrow and many roared with such vigorous excitement. This was the effect of these travelling strangers.

Once this magnificent performance finishes, silence falling in the make-shift arena, the audience cheers and claps for the performance. Some have even thrown golden coins and flowers in respect and admiration for the group. A giant member of this travelling party grabs all the ponchos, hats and bandanas of the band. With their own looming and large poncho, sweeps the ground and all the coins and flowers vanish. Then they throw their disguises in the air, each one floats and lands on its respected owner, all fully covered and ready to travel.

They bow and part ways from their now loving audience. This was the effect of these travelling strangers, these wandering musicians, singers and performers. Bringing the sounds of music to the souls of the people that listened to them.

#fantasy #flashfiction #writing #inspiration #creativity