Chapter 9
The Duel
As he headed to the music shop, the retired trombonist Grakh now rarely stopped on the way – no one was left to talk to. A few acquaintances remembered the king, who turned out to be a good fellow – hadn’t suppressed or executed his citizens, unless there was an absolute necessity. Quite unlike the way it went now, when even for certain jokes people were thrown off a cliff to the killer sharks.
But the people pitied the Nightingale Queen even more. Theresa was a true queen who cared for her subjects with all her heart. And how many music-schools were opened on the orders of the regal singer! In any remote corner of the Native Island children could learn to play whatever instrument they desired, and adults always sang during work. Now singing was punishable, schools we
