One should always have a backup plan.
It was something Tara had learned early in her life, and it was one of the few lessons she could say had yet to fail her. So when she'd come to the little inn at the corner of town and discovered that she didn't have enough money to pay for a room, she offered to sing for her supper.
Literally.
She sat by the hearth fire, strumming lightly on her lyre and singing an old but still popular ballad- daring fights, epic quests, great treasure, true love, all the crowd pleasers. The people in the taproom seemed to be almost entranced, leaning in to listen to the music.
She spared a small smile every time someone dropped a coin into the open purse at her feet, nodding gratefully. But even so her eyes constantly scanned the room, wary.
Always have a backup plan, and never let down your guard.
Finishing her song, she stood and gave a little bow, smiling at the soft applause. She moved toward the bar, scooping up her now jingling purse as she did. It had been a long day- or rather, another long day in a series of long days, all seeming to lead to nowhere- and gods did she need a drink.
"Wine, if you have it," she told the barkeep, "ale if you don't." He nodded and took the coins she tossed him. With a soft sigh Tara settled herself onto a stool, slinging her instrument back into the pack strung over her shoulder.