Music
447 Words
Music~
Isobel Callan
Glenayre, Aleron
Glenayre celebrated that night, raising toasts to the Rhi’Iverach as he tipped back his cup in their midst. Calum was Calum again. Even the darkest shadows fade in life’s brightness when life resolutely insists on going on.
As the evening waned, Isobel looked out over the revelry with relief. I actually did this. No small feat for a timid mouse from a lonely castle by the sea, she had managed to host her first party for a castle full of gregarious Hawks. The dancing and singing that had seemed it would go on all night were winding down, and she hadn’t succumbed to the urge to run off and lock herself in a closet.
“Ye did Glenayre proud tonight, m’lady,” said Renny. “Don’t know when we had such a fine party.”
“You give good advice,” she said.
“Food, fiddles, and an open cask. A Hawk’s love of a good time takes care of the rest.”
Hawks did love their music. It seemed everyone in Aleron played fiddles or drums, flutes or geddars. When Seth rosined a bow and joined in, she couldn’t have been more surprised if he’d sprouted wings.
“Ye pleased Lord Seth,” said Renny. “I thought he’d pop his buttons when ye sang so sweet.”
Warmth crept to her face. At some point this evening, she’d taken total leave of her senses. On Ranald’s dare, in a hall full of Hawks, she stood on the dais and sang an old Aurelic ballad with a flair she never imagined she had in her. She wondered if everyone outside Monaughty’s walls knew how to enjoy life or if the Hawks had a special knack for it.
When the hall finally emptied, she went looking for Seth and Calum. She found them in his study, talking over a game of chess.
“Of course, I’m opposed to it,” said Seth. “We’d have armed brigands up here, squeezing us with Jorendon’s fist.”
“Cleland would put a Surdisi colonel over each regiment,” said Calum. “But he’d fill the ranks with men from all the prominent clans. Your own men.”
“We couldn’t lead our own above a captain’s rank.” Seth shook his head. “That could test a man’s loyalty.”
“Are you still debating this?” she said as she approached. “Northern Watch is a fitting name. It brings more Surdisi eyes into Rhynn.”
“Ah, my cautious sister,” Calum greeted her.
“She has a valid point.” Seth held out his arm for her. “Enough talk of politics. We were deciding whether I’d take your brother hunting or fishing tomorrow.”
“I’m partial to a hunt,” said Calum. “Our captains are agreeable, but Ranald wants to stay here and unpack. He’s growing dull on us.”
“Is that a bad thing now he’s at Glenayre?” she said.
“Isobel equipped his workshop with buckets,” said Seth. “I built a sluice outside his windows. Dull would be a disappointment after all I’ve heard of Daor Ranald.”
Calum laughed. “Then you won’t mind he brought his fungi collection. A few of his lizards might even have slipped into his bags.”
Chapter 39
- Writer
