Songforge
Ella glanced at the sky again, nervous of the tales of recent Pteroguin attacks. Skyguard had met them at the river, stout fellows in full scale with plates long spears and longer experience at keeping their visitors safe on the roads leading into the mountain’s heart, but still this was so horribly open compared to the forests of her home.
She cast her eyes aloft once more, more deliberately. Yes, the weather was closing in. She shivered at the thought that perhaps rather than rain it would turn to an early blizzard. There were wayshelters if they needed refuge, but it would cost her time that she did not have. Not today, not tonight with the full moon so close upon them.
“M’Lady” the scout called, waving her forward to join him on the crest of the ridge ahead. “You’re goin’a want t’ be seeing this”.
Her riding ram made easy work of the distance, dropping its head in boredom to savage a tuft of the meager mountain grass as they stopped beside the guard.
“Oh my”. For one so gifted with words, she could think of nothing more to say as she looked down upon the vale nestled between the twin rivers, mountains encircling it all. Rain had begun to sweep in from the East, banishing the glimmering from the crystal spires above the picturesque town. Even without the stories she had no doubt there would be far more in the delving beneath than the modest fields, scattered buildings and ritual circles of stone that she could see.
“Any moment” her guard murmured, lest she looked away.
Elle’s eyes flew wide as the rain began to fall on the nearest bridge, splashes of green and white colour leaping across the stone.
“Never gets old” the guard grinned “M’Lady.”
“How?” she added while copying the guard, adjusting her hood and cloak against the rain sweeping towards them.
“It’s built of Silverlight stone, like they use in them rock lanterns” the guard replied as he led out back onto the road. “Technically it’s reject grade stone for lanterns, doesn’t hold a bright enough light. But it sure looks pretty.”
“Don’t those lanterns need alcohol?” Ella replied, intrigued.
“They built shallow silver saucers on the sides of the main bridges. We fill ‘em with alcohol and when it rains …” he gestured down into the vale.
“Love it” Elle replied simply.
“We’d best hurry now, want to cross while the bridge is lit.”
Elle smiled gently at the Horthi’s polite deceit … before we get properly soaked he meant, after all the bridgekeeper could simply add more alcohol to guide travelers home.
@-->----
Relieved to be out of the light sludgy snow, Elle had insisted on going directly to the Grand Auditorium, but had been politely informed that wet coats or pelts were not permitted beyond the cloak rooms due to the city ordnance for the prevention of wet floor slipping hazards. At least it wasn’t as pedantic as that time she travelled to play the Black Cask, a To’resk four page waiver of liability contract to use the bridge over a puddle, its clauses disclaiming liability against everything including troll attacks.
Soaring stone arches, vaulted ceilings, and crystal light shafts spoke to the age of this place. As much as she longed to explore they were already late, as she met the Governess in the performer’s alcove.
“Welcome traveler, you honour us with your journey. Do you wish to delay to another night?”
“Not for anything” Ella replied brightly, checking her Sedicim dress was ready.
The Governess smiled and curtseyed “break a leg”.
@-->----
Blinking as she entered, Elle was careful to not let a moment escape her senses. Here, at last! The fabled aqueduct waterfall created a gentle circular curtain of falling silver about the small island in the center of the auditorium. At its heart, the glowing crystal dragon statue rested, radiant and waiting.
One story was she was crafted over lifetimes by master crystalshapers using the finest Silverlight and crystal, scale by scale with an artistry lost to the Ages. Another that this was a Child of Qin, sleeping until woken by the right song, her fiery heart still glowing against that day.
Elle nodded to her players to begin the introductory music, and with a nod to the visiting young Brudvir Prince in the royal box, swept out to the city’s riotous applause and stomping feet to begin her song.
