|
Ythri nodded solemnly. Dead didn't sound like much fun. Three times and no more. Ah well, as long as she wasn't in clara, it didn't effect how much she could sing.
"Your next task," Master Montago said, "is to perform the Healer's Hymn. And if you could make it piano, I'd be much obliged -- your dynamic contrast leaves something to be desired. This is a gentle piece, so perform it gently. And, you'll need something to practice on, so I took the liberty of providing something."
He walked over to one corner of the room, where there was a small basket. Although Ythri hadn't noticed it before, a cat was sleeping inside. Master Montago picked it up and brought it back to where she was sitting. As he did so, Ythri could see that the cat had a series of wicked scratches on her side, which hadn't completely closed up.
"Misty got into something of a fight last night, so let's see if you can't help her out, shall we?" He waved his hand at Ythri. "Begin."
Ythri closed her eyes again and shoved all of her thoughts and questions out of her mind. It was a slow, tedious process, and she had little grasp on how long it took, though it might have been ten or fifteen minutes. When she finally got into the correct frame of mind, she started singing. The song was a quiet, peaceful one, and it was easier than she thought to keep her voice down. She pulled the essence in and infused the song with arcana, and tried to keep her mind focused until the song was finished.
When the last strain died away, she opened her eyes. Misty was still sitting on Master Montago's lap, but she was now purring contentedly. Her cuts were no longer visible. Master Montago nodded, almost to himself. "You could still use some work with subtlety, Miss Ythri -- you're a bard now, not a burlesque singer. But the effect is satisfactory."
|