Bardic Colleges

Danya eyed the painting, trying to hide her longing, her desperation. She listened to the bard's words carefully.
"Lady Maldover, this is the latest from an up and coming protege. It depicts a glen seen during Expedition Demeter's time in The Freehold of Cordais. See how she used such finesse in blending the greens to make it appear as if the greenery is moving in the wind?" The man said.
"Yes, and who is that?" Danya asked, pointing to a figure on a hill in the background of the painting.
"I believe that is The Cartographer, Lady Sia," he began, turning to make sure he saw exactly where Danya was pointing. ",the Lartasian clothing would suggest as much. I'm told she has a habit of painting in her down time."
"Lovely," Danya mused. She had to have it. her eyes scaled the picture's elegant, golden frame and rested on drops of crimson stains that marked the lower half of the landscape."And the blood?"
"Ah," the man stuttered. Lady Maldover, my apologies. It's quite the story if I'm being honest," the man waved his hands about, as if conducting the orchestra that produces his lyrical tone. "The painter was in the middle of an engagement with highwaymen that sought to extort money from the expedition."
He paused and stepped closer, lowering his voice but still talking excitedly, as if he's waited all day just to tell his tale.
"Our talented painter," he began, "simply walked out onto the road, set up her easel, and began painting as a response."
He stopped and pointed to the road that weaved through the center of the painting and disappeared in the distance. "She refused to paint the highwaymen. Before the banter ended between Lord Gray and the bandits, they simply vanished in a burst of red dust and pink mist." He giggled in short bursts , trying to stifle his amusement. "My apologies, Lady Maldover. If it ruins the painting for you, I'm so sorry to hear it."
"Not at all," she said, nearly screaming the words as if insulted. "I'll take it."
"That's relieving to hear, my lady, but this one is on bid and House Trohmin is leading, hence the large price." the man dipped his head, trying not to look her in the eye.
"Double it and you can deliver it to my estate." Danya smiled and the man's eyes went wide as she snapped her fingers and a house guard produced a heavy bag of coins.
"Right away, my lady."