|
Ythri returned the next day more determined than ever to learn how to be a bard. Her experience so far had taught her that it was more difficult than she might have anticipated, but the joy and pleasure she could derive from using her voice to cast spells was more than enough to keep her going.
Master Montago was waiting for her, and he didn't wait long before launching in. "Your next piece is the Chant of Conquest. Perhaps you'd care to increase my patriotism, eh? At any rate, this is more of a showboating piece, so maybe it'll fit your style better."
Ythri was a bit embarrassed, but she closed her eyes once more and aimed for clara. It was getting easier, though it still took a good several minutes to finally reach the proper state. When it was done, she reached into the essence and started singing. The song was brassy and outgoing, and she put everything she had into it, her voice soaring and stretching on the high notes and then swooping back down as it reached the final cadence.
She opened her eyes, and saw that Master Montago was looking at her. "Is there a particular reason," he asked, "that everything you sing has to sound like you're using it to sell fish? I mean, the spells work -- that one worked -- but as it stands now, you're a significantly better mage than you are a musician. Subtlety, shading -- that's what you need."
Ythri gritted her teeth. "You liked my voice well enough during the audition," she said firmly. "Maybe I just need time to make these songs my own. I've never sung any of them before, after all."
Master Montago seemed surprised that she had said anything, but after a moment's thought, he nodded in agreement. "You may be right, Miss Ythri. We shall see, won't we?"
|