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fix: cleaning up the final fight

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D. Moonfire 2022-08-28 18:33:47 -05:00
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2
TASKS.md
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@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
- [x] More references to the pin to calm her down
- [x] _Safe Adventures, Our Departed Loves_ in attic scene
- [x] Review epigraphs
- [ ] Edit/work on final battle
- [x] Edit/work on final battle
- [ ] Smile/nodding
- [x] Brook's drinking choices
- [ ] Skin colors and descriptions

2
chapters/chapter-12.md
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@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ Linsan embraced him tightly.
Her mother came up. "Lin, take this."
Linsan broke free of the embrace to take a hair pin from her mother's hands. It was relatively plain looking but heavy. The tip had an intricate flower and a name engraved along the side along with a year. She stared at it a moment and then looked up. "This is your reward piece for _Strangers in the Gale_!"
Linsan broke free of the embrace to take a hair pin from her mother's hands. It was relatively plain looking but heavy. The tip had an intricate flower and a name engraved along the side along with a year. She stared at it a moment and then looked up. "This is your award for _Strangers in the Gale_!"
Siam smiled and plucked it from Linsan's palm before reaching up and setting it in place in her daughter's hair. "There are some things money can't buy. I can't offer much, but you might find some solace from the plays and shows that travel around. Bring them this. Almost anyone will recognize it."

94
chapters/chapter-57.md
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@ -5,19 +5,19 @@ teaser: &teaser >
summary: *teaser
---
> It is one thing to lie to the unwashed masses, to decieve the foolish public, and to scam those who don't know how to manage their money, but one does not lie to High Society. There is no anger that can be heated for as long as a slight on society's honor. --- Gandon Morelir
> It is one thing to lie to the unwashed masses, to deceive the foolish public, and to scam those who don't know how to manage their money, but one does not lie to High Society. There is no anger that can be heated for as long as a slight on society's honor. --- Gandon Morelir
Linsan heard the kitchen long before they reached it. The sounds of raucous laughter and cheering beat against the walls. It sounded more like nights the village pub than the formal affair going in the main halls.
Calor guided them from behind, nodding as Brook gave an abbreviated version of their story. He didn't say anything, only listened.
Entering the kitchen area, Linsan saw Miska sitting at a table arm-wrestling with one of the guards. Her dress had been hiked up to her thighs so she could straddled a box that was scorched and smoking. Her dress had a few ruined seams already as she grinned triumphantly.
Entering the kitchen area, Linsan saw Miska sitting at a table arm-wrestling with one of the guards. Her elegant dress had been hiked up to her thighs so she could straddled a scorched box. A few of the seams of the expensive outfit had burst open, revealing her tattoos stretched across her straining muscles.
The guard was also in poor shape, with his outfit ripped in places as he groaned and put all his weight into forcing Miska's hand back.
She grunted back with her effort to stop him. Sweat ran down her brow and neck as she gripped the table with her other hand. Woodsmoke rose up from where her grip had burned through the table cloth.
Surrounding them were a handful guards along with high society members wearing dresses of gold and silk. They were all cheering and throwing money down as they encouraged the two contestants.
Surrounding them were a handful guards along with high society members wearing dresses of gold and silk. They were all cheering and throwing money down into a pair of metal bowls as they encouraged the two contestants.
Miska glanced up and then smiled as Brook entered the room. She gave a wink before turning her attention back to her efforts. "Time to give up." Her voice was strained.
@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ A cheer rose up as two people helped him up.
Miska rose with him. "Good game."
For a moment, the losing man looked like he would say something rude but then he shook his head. "Teaches me to open my mouth."
For a moment, the losing man looked like he would say something rude but then he shook his head. He held out his hand. "I stand corrected."
She grinned and patted his shoulder. "You did great. Against another man, you would have easily won."
@ -45,9 +45,9 @@ Calor made a grunting noise. "You seem to have a lot of lesbians in your life, L
"And Junith, Marin, those two. You lean that way? Have a fancy for peaches?"
"No, I just want to have friends I love and a chance to play."
"No, I just want to have friends I love and a chance to play." She could feel her cheeks warming and tried to tamp them down.
"Speaking of which...." Calor held up his hand. "Sop!"
"Speaking of which...." Calor held up his hand. "Sop! A minute?"
On the far side of a kitchen, an old man with a cane looked up from his wine. Then he gestured for Calor.
@ -57,7 +57,15 @@ Lord Xasnal was about eighty years old with a heavy cane under one hand and a dr
"No, Rose is at home with the boys. I'm here for Junith."
The older man groaned. "That woman is everywhere lately. I'm sure they moved up the auction today just to get rid of her."
The older man groaned and shook his head. "Damn the Couple, that woman is sticking her fingers everywhere. She's got at least three others to ask me to stop the auction ever since it was announced."
"Are you?"
"Of course not. She has a history with the violin, but sob stories only add spice to the bidding and bumps up the price." There was a hardness in his voice.
Any hope Linsan had started to crumble.
He looked at her. "And this is...?"
Calor held up a finger. "Sorry, my manors. Linsan, this is Lord Sopenar Xasnal. His family has been in Moon Waters for almost four centuries and he owns the fine establishment that we currently stand in."
@ -67,17 +75,17 @@ Sopenar tilted his head.
The old man's eyes sharpened on Linsan.
Linsan nodded. "My father was Sian Sterlig, he crafted Palisis when I was young. I... I named it."
Linsan cleared her throat as her skin crawled. She steeled herself before she answered, "My father was Sian Sterlig, he crafted Palisis when I was young. I... I named it."
He stared at her for a long moment, before he coughed. And then coughed again. When he stopped, he shook his head. "Junith has been trying to stop this sale ever since it was announced."
He stared at her for a long moment, before he coughed. And then coughed again. When he stopped, he shook his head. "Junith has been trying to stop this sale ever since it was announced. I never thought she could convince a Sterlig across the country."
"I'm trying to stop it because Siam would never have allows that violin to leave his family!" snapped Junith as she strode across the room. Brook and Miska followed with curious looks. "Well, Pop? There is a Sterlig here on the eve of its sale. There has to be a reason."
"I'm trying to stop it because Siam would never have allows that violin to leave his family! I never asked for her to come here!" snapped Junith as she strode across the room. Brook and Miska followed with curious looks. "There is a Sterlig here on the eve of its sale. There has to be a reason beside my own."
Calor slid his arm around Junith's waist. "There is. Palisis was stolen and a man murdered in the process."
Junith gasped and looked at him. "M-Murdered?"
Brook held up her hand. "My daddy, Dukan Kabisal. The three men selling it burned him alive."
Brook held up her hand. "My daddy, Dukan Kabisal. The three men selling it burned him alive. I-I have the investigation papers."
Around them, the kitchen grew silent.
@ -95,7 +103,7 @@ He pointed to Miska. "Papers that cannot be confirmed from across the country."
Finally his finger gestured to Linsan. "A birthright that cannot be verified. These are all reasons, but they aren't enough. You could be working for someone who needs more time to come up with more money, a scheme to steal from me, or something else."
He drew himself up straighter. "I need proof. Something I can see with my own eyes, something that I can confirm. I've been hosting these auctions for many years and I've been tricked, lied, and deceived more times than you have stepped on the earth."
He drew himself up straighter. "I need proof. Something I can see with my own eyes, something that I can confirm. I've been hosting these auctions for many years and I've been tricked, lied, and deceived more times than you have stepped on the earth. I have lost millions, so I need something rock-solid."
Linsan ducked her head and fought back the tears.
@ -111,7 +119,7 @@ Linsan cleared her throat. There was one thing that she hadn't told anyone, a tr
Sopenar stopped but didn't turn back.
"I played it, in my parent's attic. It isn't a virgin." She sniffed. "I didn't know it wasn't supposed to be."
"I played it, in my parent's attic. It isn't a virgin." She sniffed. "I didn't know it wasn't supposed to be at the time, but my parents decided to not tell anyone just in case we had to sell it."
The silence pressed down on the room, stifling the air as it settled into place.
@ -133,11 +141,11 @@ Sopenar slowly turned. "Prove it."
He pointed to the violin case that was once again in Miska's hand. "Play me a song that only the daughter of Tisin would know. Give me a song that has never been on a stage or sung in the world."
Linsan frowned as she tore through her memory, casting through the history of her her parents. She teased the pin in her hair. "There is no..." she glanced at Junith who was crying. Then she remembered the sheet music in the attack, the torn paper with a single song she had never heard of before. "_Safe Adventures, Our Departed Loves_."
Linsan frowned as she tore through her memory, casting through the history of her her parents. She teased the pin in her hair. "There is no..." she glanced at Junith who was crying. Then she remembered the sheet music in the case, the torn paper with a single song she had never heard of before. "_Safe Adventures, Our Departed Loves_."
Junith inhaled sharply.
Sopenar nodded.
Sopenar cocked his head. "I'm surprised you know that song. I thought there was only one copy ever made. Your father was very insistent on that."
Linsan worried her lip as she retrieved her violin.
@ -149,23 +157,41 @@ Linsan shook her head. "I saw it once, years ago. I've never played it but I thi
"I have to try," Linsan felt on the edge of tears herself. "I have to."
She set her bow and then brought up the faded memories, trying to focus on something she had forgotten. Only a few notes rose up, but then she remembered how her father and mother would occasionally hum or sing fragments throughout her entire life.
She set her bow and then brought up the faded memories. The first few bars were easy to remember but she had only looked at the first page. She worked the song in her head but then realized it wasn't enough.
Steeling herself, she took a long deep breath and set the bow to the strong. There was a hum as the two Sterlig's touched again. She drew the bow and began to play. The notes were unsteady at first but quickly became a flow as she sank into the memories of how her father worked his notes and sang to his instruments. Her mother's voice added to it, framing the song as she built it up in her head again. She knew both of them intimately and she trusted that she could follow in their footsteps.
Fear raced through her veins.
Her foot slid on the floor as she danced along with the music, twirling and spinning in the tight confines of the kitchen as she spun out the notes in sparkling cadences. Her power shone in the air, forming currents of power as she spun and skipped.
"I'm waiting." Sopenar looked at her intently.
The song grew longer and sadder, a mourning of their departure. The final note hung in the air, shimmering among her power as motes of dark colors floated to the ground.
Her heart fluttered. In her mind, she tried to guess the next measures of the song. Little fragments from her past rose up: her mother humming a strange song while she did her makeup, or the way her father arranged his music, and even the way the notes naturally fell off the bow strings.
Junith let out a sob from where she had her face buried into Calor's shoulder. Brook and Miska held each other and watched her with glistening eyes. There were others, not moving or looking forward without seeing anything.
"Sterlig?"
Panting, Linsan looked at Lord Xasnal who stared back at her with hard eyes.
Linsan answered with clear notes filling the kitchen. It was unsteady at first from her nervousness but she regained her nerves by the end of the second measure. It took her only precious seconds to reach the end of her knowledge. Desperate not to see him acknowledge a failure, she closed her eyes and let the music flow.
She dragged her toe along the floor and then ducked her body with her song. She didn't need to see to avoid the tables and counters, they were just part of her dance as she spun and swayed with the ballad.
Gasps rose up.
Linsan cracked open one eye to see smiles across from her. Motes of power and ripples of energy radiated from her body, swirling with the same movements as her body.
She let her gaze rake the room. There were more smiles and looks of joy and wonder on the faces of the guards and society alike. Sopenar had a faint smile on his lips as he rocked his body in time with the music spun from her bow.
Linsan let her attention focus on him and finished the song, filling the room with music and ripples of power before pulling the bow away. The last note hung in the air, sparkling with energy, before it faded like embers into the night.
Junith let out a sob from where she had her face buried into Calor's shoulder. Her pale hands trembled as she knuckled his shirt.
Brook and Miska held each other and watched her with glistening eyes and bright smiles. They looked terrified and in awe at the same time.
There were others. Some started to applaud her, others were not moving as they seeped in their own thoughts.
Every breath was attenuated as she turned back to the lord. "My lord?"
"Close but not quite."
"I'm sorry, it was a long---"
Her shoulders lumped. "I'm sorry, it was a long---"
He held up his hand and her voice trailed off. "Linsan Sterlig, that was not entirely the song. Where did the rest come from?"
He held up his hand and her voice trailed off. "Linsan Sterlig, that was not entirely the song that your father had written. I remember the opening notes intimately, but the others were not. Where did the rest come from?"
"I... I guess what my dad would have written knowing my mother's ability. I assumed it was sung by her as Junith and Marin left."
@ -173,11 +199,23 @@ He turned away.
Linsan's hope faltered and she fought back her own sorrow.
"No, it was when your parents left, not the other way around. There were only twelve people in the hall when your parents played that song. Two of them are in this room, two have moved to Cobbler's End." His shoulders slumped. "The chance you would have known even a portion of that song would require you to be somehow connected to one who was present and that makes you one in a million at best."
"No, it was when your parents left, not the other way around. They are all stars in Moon Waters but your father's mother fell sick and he had to return to Cobbler's End. We always assumed Marin would go with him, but then everyone was surprised when our four stars of Moon Waters---"
"M-My lord?"
He looked at Junith and held out his hand.
Sopenar turned back. "Do you swear you played Palisis?"
She reached out to take it and squeeze it.
"---split in unexpected ways. With hindsight, it was obvious how they had cleaved but it was that song that the four announced the decision." He smiled warmly to Junith. "A single song that played to the back stage of the final showing of _Strangers in the Gale_. Only the actors, the band, and those honored by granting patronage were able to hear it."
The room was silent.
He turned back to Linsan. "I thought I would never hear it again in any form. You have honored your father's memory, your mother's kill, and proven that you have talents that shine among theirs."
"Fuck me," gasped Miska.
Linsan tried to clear her suddenly dry throat. "T-Thank you, my lord."
Sopenar's eyes hardened. "Do you swear you played Palisis?"
Linsan wiped her eyes. "Yes, my lord."
@ -187,8 +225,8 @@ Linsan wiped her eyes. "Yes, my lord."
The lord ordered another servant to bring the city guards who had talked to Brook to the auction house, but through the side door.
Finally, he addressed Linsan directly. "I believe you are the daughter of Tisin and Sian. That grants you only the opportunity to prove yourself. I will delay the sale for one bell and not a minute longer. If Nolig can verify your claim, then I will halt the sale until a full investigation can take place. Failing that, you will suffer consequences no matter what blood you claim."
Finally, he addressed Linsan directly. "You have earned the opportunity to prove yourself. I will delay the sale for one bell and not a minute longer. If Nolig can verify your claim, then I will halt everything and have the men selling it detained until a full investigation can take place. Failing that, you will suffer consequences no matter what blood you claim."
Linsan nodded and let out a gasp of relief. "Thank you, my lord."
"Come on, I need to make the announcement."
"Come on, I need to make the announcement before the hammer falls."

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chapters/chapter-58.md
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@ -7,11 +7,9 @@ summary: *teaser
> It is easy to make a claim but far harder to prove it. --- Kyōti proverb
Even in the narrow hallway leading to the great hall, Linsan could hear the rapid patter of the auctioneer speaking loudly.
Even in the narrow hallway leading to the great hall, Linsan could hear the rapid patter of the auctioneer speaking loudly. "Do I hear twenty-two. Twenty-two. Twenty-three to the lady in the red dress. Twenty-three million folks. Twenty-five! Twenty-six!"
"Do I hear twenty-two. Twenty-two. Twenty-three to the lady in the red dress. Twenty-three million folks. Twenty-five!"
It took all of her effort not to crawl over Lord Xasnal who lead the way or the guard beyhind them. She wanted to scream at them to hurry but Sopenar appeared to have only one speed, a slow walk.
It took all of her effort not to crawl over Lord Xasnal who lead the way or the guard walking behind him and ahead of Linsan. She wanted to scream at them to hurry but Sopenar appeared to have only one speed, a slow walk.
"Thirty million! Thirty-five! Six! Seven."
@ -29,11 +27,11 @@ Linsan's heart skipped a beat.
"Sorry, my lords and ladies, bidding has been halted. I currently have forty million cukdins to the Lady Pinialis."
A murmer rose up as Linsan entered the room. After the crampness of the hallway, the great hall felt like stepping outside. In the short period of time, rows of seats had been arranged in front of the stage with a narrow space down the middle.
A ripple of noise rose up as Linsan entered the room. After the claustrophobic hallway, the great hall felt like stepping outside. In the short period of time, rows of seats had been arranged in front of the stage with a narrow space down the middle.
On stage was a pedestal holding a red velvet pillow. On it was Palisis. The violin had been polished until it shown and lights had been focused on it to show off the delicate hints of purple and red veins that ran underneath the polished surface. Next to it was the bow her father had crafted, a matching pair with the same designs and carvings.
It had been years since Linsan had seen the musical instrument. A longing rose up, a desire more intense than anything she had felt before. She fought the urge to reach out for it, as if somehow there was no distance between the two fo them.
It had been years since Linsan had seen the musical instrument. A longing rose up, a desire more intense than anything she had felt before. The urge to reach out for it and pluck it from the pillow rose up and she struggled being so close.
The gathered people, the high society of Moon Water, looked around in confusion. A few stood up to turn to the back toward Sopenar. Linsan noticed a few just ducked their heads and continued to stare forward.
@ -41,17 +39,19 @@ The gathered people, the high society of Moon Water, looked around in confusion.
Linsan focused her attention on stage where Tilbin, Mayforn, and Gabaw stood to the side of the violin. All three of them were wearing tuxedos but she remembered their faces from the day of the fire.
Tilbin stood ahead of the other two, his head turning as he scanned the crowds. Mayforn did the same, his face pursed as his head moved from point to point. Gabaw stepped back toward a table barely visible behind the chairs where the musicans had sat.
Tilbin stood ahead of the other two, his head turning as he scanned the crowds. Mayforn did the same, his face pursed as his head moved from point to point. Gabaw stepped back toward a table barely visible behind the chairs where the musicians had sat.
Sopenar lowered his fingers. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry to stop the moment right at the cusp of tension, but I have been presented with a credible doubt."
Whispers and explaimins rose up in a wave of the room. A few of the buyers stepped away from the gathered chairs. Most of them remained in place.
Whispers and exclamations rose up in a wave across the room. A few of the buyers stepped away from the gathered chairs. Most of them remained in place.
Tilbin stood up. An easy smile crossed his face but it didn't reach his eyes. "Please explain, Lord Xasnal. You have already done a full suite of verifications for this sale was approved." He had a remarkably cultured voice for a man who grew up at a farm in the middle of nowhere.
The front door creaked open as a man in a deep blue uniform strode into the hall. He had a badge on his left chest and a pair of ribbons on the right. Six other uniformed men filed in after him. They were armed with short swords and all six had their hands on the sheathed weapons.
The front door creaked open as a man in a deep blue uniform strode into the hall. He had a badge on his left chest and a pair of ribbons on the right. He had a deep tan and a full beard pulled into a braid.
Tilbin's turned slightly and his jaw tightened.
Six other uniformed men filed in after him. They were armed with short swords and all six had their hands on the sheathed weapons.
Tilbin's turned slightly to look at them and his jaw tightened.
"Shit," Mayforn said sharply and stepped past Tilbin to the other side. His attention focused on Linsan and a scowl etched itself across his face.
@ -61,27 +61,29 @@ Linsan and Miska charged after her.
Just as Brook reached the stage, one of the buyers who had not looked back suddenly stood up and spun into the aisle. There was a flash of a metal, a knife, in his hand.
"Brook!" screamed Miksa.
"Brook!" screamed Miska.
Brook slammed into the man, her entire body shuddering. She looked up and then gasped. "D-Daddy?" Her voice filled the sudden silence that draped the room.
Linsan slid to a halt as she looked at the man who had stabbed Brook. It was Dukan Kabisal.
He had grown a beard since she last saw him, but it was a poor disguse. His eyes were hard as he looked down at his daughter. "You're the reason my code book was burned, wasn't it?"
He had grown a beard since she last saw him, but it was a poor disguise. There was no mistaking his shoulders or the shape of his face. His eyes were hard as he looked down at his daughter. "You're the reason my code book was burned, wasn't it?"
"D-Daddy?" Brook said in a weaker voice. Crimson droplets splattered to the ground, slashing brightly on the wooden floor.
"Bad girl," he said. Then he shoved Brook back hard, throwing her into Linsan and Miska.
Panicked, Linsan grabbed at Brook and held her down. There was a growing stain on her abnadom, near her naval. "Brook! Brook!"
Panicked, Linsan grabbed at Brook and held her down. There was a growing stain on her abdomen, near her naval. "Brook! Brook!"
Dukan stepped back and tossed the knife to the ground.
On stage, Tilbin's guitar flew in the air. The murderer caught it and slung it over his shoulder in one smooth movement.
On stage, Tilbin's guitar flew in the air. The murderer caught it and slung it over his shoulder in one smooth movement. His fingers dropped to the strings and he strummed them.
Despite the fear for her friend and the growing terror, Linsan forced herself to her feet. "Dukan! How could you attack your own daughter!?"
A ghostly fire flickered around his body and instrument.
Dukan stopped at the bottom of the stairs. His face was a mask of rage, a bitterness paltable in the air. "You were supposed to be the brash one, Lin. That knife was for you, not her."
Despite the fear for her friend and the growing terror, Linsan forced herself to her feet. "Dukan! That was Brook! How!?"
Dukan stopped at the bottom of the stairs. His face was a mask of rage, a bitterness palatable in the air. "You were supposed to be the brash one, Lin. That knife was for you, not her."
"You were going to kill me?" Her world spun but she forced herself to focus on him.
@ -97,10 +99,12 @@ Dukan started up the stairs, one step at a time. "It doesn't have a name, Lin. I
"I won't let you," she announced as she spun the lock on her case. She grabbed the neck of her violin and her bow with one hand as it clattered to the floor.
Dukan smiled. "You have other problems to deal with."
Dukan smiled and stepped back behind Tilbin. "You have other problems to deal with."
Tilbin started into a series of high speed riffs. It was the song she had heard, but played at double speed. Fire flared along his guitar strings before it rose to envelope his entire body.
A wave of heat rippled away from his body, visibly distorting the air in an increasing sphere of energy.
The audience screamed as they scrambled to pull away.
Linsan gasped and yanked her violin into place.
@ -109,35 +113,35 @@ Gabaw jumped off the front of the stage and slammed his fist into the floor. A l
Linsan stepped back, but caught Brook's legs. With a scream, she stumbled back while trying to keep her grip on the violin.
Miska surged up between them and the fire. She crossed her arms and then yelled in anger as the lead flames struck her. With a deafening roar, the line of fire split in half around her body and jetted into the empty chairs on each side.
Miska surged up between them and the fire. She crossed her arms and plunged into the flames. With a deafening roar, the line of fire split in half around her body and jetted into the empty chairs on each side.
Whimpering, Linsan untangled herself from Brook's legs. She wanted to check on her friend or at least drag her to safely, but then she heard the riff hit the beat and the distincti sound of fireballs launching. She looked up to see them arcing around Miska and slamming into chairs and people, throwing them aside.
Whimpering, Linsan untangled herself from Brook's legs. She wanted to check on her friend or at least drag her to safely, but then she heard the riff hit the beat and the distinct sound of fireballs launching. She looked up to see them arcing around Miska and slamming into chairs and people, throwing them aside.
"Fuck," she screamed. "We need to get these people away!"
"Little busy!" snapped Miska and she struggled against the flames that tore at her body, setting the ends of her hair on fire and burning at her dress.
Brook pushed herself up. Her dress was ruined but there was a bandage made from Miska's dress wrapped around her belly with a knot of fabric pressed directly into the wound. Brook's face twisted into a grimace of pain as she lurched to her knees.
Brook pushed herself up. Her dress was ruined but there was a bandage made from Miska's dress hastily wrapped around her belly with a knot of fabric pressed directly into the wound. Brook's face twisted into a grimace of pain as she lurched to her knees.
Linsan started for her but flashes of light warned her of two fireballs that streaked toward her and Brook. Without thinking, Linsan swung the violin to block of the first one, catching the searing heat with the back of her instrument and swatting it to the ground.
Linsan jumped over Brook and spun her back, catching the fireball against her back. Her world exploded into agony as the force drove her to her knees. The smell of burning fabric and hair filled her world.
Linsan jumped over Brook and spun her body to catch the fireball against her back. Her senses exploded into agony as the force drove her to her knees. The smell of burning fabric and hair filled her world.
Brook reached for her. "Linsan!"
"Get. Away!" sobbed Linsan through the pain. She tried to put out her dress and the violin at the same time, but her limbs didn't quite move fast enough. She gave up the violin with a sob and dropped to her back to roll back to extinish the flames that tore at her back.
"Get. Away!" sobbed Linsan through the pain. She tried to put out her dress and the violin at the same time, but her limbs didn't quite move fast enough. She gave up the violin with a sob and dropped to her back to roll back to extinguish the flames that tore at her back.
Brook's face twisted into a mask of pain and determination. She pulled back her arms to clap and screamed out a warning.
Both Miska and Linsan cringed as Brook clapped her hands together with all her might. The concussion blast exploded from her picked up chairs and papers to launch them to the furthest edges of the hall. Along with it were the people, society's rich and power, and they were tossed aside like sticks as they slammed into the debris.
Both Miska and Linsan cringed as Brook clapped her hands together with all her might. The concussion blast exploded from her. It launched chairs, papers, and hapless bystanders into the furthest edges of the hall.
In the corner of her eye, Linsan saw her violin rolling away, the flames flaring up as more of the wood caught. She let out a sob and crawled after it in hopes of rescusing her only chance to defeat the four men.
In the corner of her eye, Linsan saw her violin rolling away, the flames flaring up as more of the wood caught. She let out a sob and crawled after it in hopes of rescuing her only chance to defeat the four men.
"No, pick it up! Get it!" bellowed Dukan. His voice had a frantic tone to it.
Linsan looked past Miska's burning dress to see that Brook's concussion blast has knocked Palisis off the pedetal. The precious instrument had landed near a hunk of burning stage.
Linsan looked past Miska's burning dress to see that Brook's concussion blast has knocked Palisis off the pedestal. The precious instrument had landed near a hunk of burning stage.
Dukan struggled with the musican's chairs on the side. They had caught him when they were thrown to the back of the stage and his limbs were entangled. He grunted and thrashed before he managed to crawl out. Frantic, he scrambled across the stage.
Dukan struggled with the musician's chairs on the side. They had caught him when they were thrown to the back of the stage and his limbs were entangled. He grunted and thrashed before he managed to crawl out. Frantic, he scrambled across the stage.
"No!" screamed Brook as she clapped again. The explosion tore the ground apart underneath the concussion wave. It struck the stage and the wooden structure buckled from the impact.
@ -149,9 +153,9 @@ The violin reached the apex of its flight and came down.
"Palisis!" Linsan screamed desperately with her hand reaching out for the instrument far out of her reach.
The strings of the violin rang out in an incredibley pure note that cut through the din surrounding them. The instrument bounced a foot above the two murderer's outstreched hand, striking some invisible force that kicked it away from the stage and directly toward Linsan.
The strings of the violin rang out, played without a bow being touched to them. Translucent energies flared around the instrument and enveloped it. It fell only a foot before bouncing off some invisible force inches way from two murderer's outstretched hands.
She cringed as it struck the ground and then spun and skipped across the splintered wood and exposed rock to stop at her knees.
Linsan froze as the violin bounced again, kicking away from the stage and directly toward her. It struck the ground and then spun and skipped across the splintered wood and exposed rock to stop at her knees.
Linsan stared down at it, her body shaking from her fear and her mind unable to see what had deflected the instrument.
@ -159,11 +163,13 @@ Brook groaned in pain. "Just. Pick. It. Up!"
"But---!"
"You said you played it, so play it because we're going to burn!" She sobbed through the pain as she staggered to her feet. One arm pressed the ruins of Miska's dress against her wound. "Please, Lin."
"You said you played it, so play it because we're going to burn!" She sobbed through the pain as she staggered to her feet. One arm pressed the ruins of Miska's dress against her wound. "Now!"
Linsan reached down for Palisis. She knew that she may have ruined the chance of getting it back if she played it, and she would have ruined an instrument worth millions, but Dukan's betrayal couldn't be forgiven.
Linsan reached down for Palisis. She knew that she may have ruined the chance of getting it back if she played it, but Dukan's betrayal couldn't be forgiven.
To her surprise, the paired bow rested against the violin. She hadn't seen it slide toward her, but it was obvious that the violon had demands of its own.
To her surprise, the paired bow came to a stop next to the Palisis. She hadn't seen it slide toward her, but it was obvious that the violin had demands of its own.
The strings ran out again, dancing and humming the closer her fingers came to the instrument.
When she wrapped her hand around the warm wood, she felt a surge of power rising through her. Energies flickered on the edges of her vision as invisible currents stirred her hair and clothes.
@ -175,105 +181,113 @@ With a glare, she drew the bow across the strings and played a single note. It h
"Yes!" Miska said as she clapped her hands.
Brook joined, the impacts a dull thud that boosted the power that surrounded Lisnan. She staggered as she finished the steps.
Brook joined, the impacts a dull thud that boosted the power that surrounded Linsan. She staggered to her feet but never stopped keeping the beat.
Gabaw struck fire, slamming into the ground and sending a line of fire directly for Linsan and Brook.
In time with Linsan's music, Miska stepped up to Brook and spun her around as Linsan stepped in the opposite direction. The flame burst harmlessly against Miska's shoulder in a wave of heat and pressure.
In time with Linsan's music, Miska stepped up to Brook and spun her around as Linsan spun in the opposite direction. The flame burst harmlessly against Miska's shoulder in a wave of heat and pressure.
Linsan reached the upward trill that shot arrows of force away from her. The beat of her two friends added to them, increasing their strength and speed.
The arrows slammed into the stage, missing Tilbin but striking Gabaw and Mayforn.
Both men staggered from the blows.
Gabaw hit his back on the wreakage of the stage. He struggled to get back to his feet as his hands burned brightly.
Gabaw fell back in a spray of blood. His back slammed into the wreckage of the stage. He struggled to get back to his feet as his hands burned brightly.
Tilbin's riff slammed the air, punching it with the complex sounds of the guitar. With his fingers sliding along the frets, he summoned dozens of fireballs that surrounded him in a halo.
It was the same attack as the one from the car.
Linsan changed the pace of her song, reach to block. When the fireballs came screaming from all directions, she was ready. Assisted with the steady beat, she launched arrow after arrow into the blasts and they burst harmlessly around her.
Linsan changed the pace of her song and summoned the power to block his magic. When the fireballs came screaming from all directions, she was ready. Assisted with the steady beat, she launched arrow after arrow into the blasts and they burst harmlessly around her.
Her song had an immediate inflection and she used the power to launch her attack at Tilbin, a single arrow of force aimed directly for his chest.
Before the fire faded from the air, her defense song reached an inflection point where she could use the power to attack. She launched a single arrow of force directly for Tilbin's chest.
Mayforn caught it with a backhand and then spun to join in the rytyym of Tilbin's attack.
Mayforn caught it with a backhand and then spun to join in the rhythm of Tilbin's attack. Gabaw also added a beat of his own and Tilbin's power grew.
They traded fireballs and arrows for a few seconds.
Tilbin suddendly smiled. He pointed at Miska and then hammered a series of riffs that brought up fireballs launching directly at her.
Tilbin suddenly smiled. He pointed at Miska and then hammered a series of riffs that brought up fireballs launching directly at her.
At the same time, Gabaw slammed his fists into the ground and set another fire burst directly at her.
Miska had to abandon her clapping to block the attack. She groaned as the heat pounded her body, tearing away at with steady thumbs that Linsan struggled to ignore while still maininting her own song.
Miska had to abandon her clapping to block the attack. She groaned as the heat pounded her body, tearing away at with steady thumbs that Linsan struggled to ignore while still maintaining her own song.
Then there were more fireballs arcing from the side. With a gasp, she spun away.
Then there were more fireballs arcing from the side but they were aimed at both Brook and Linsan.
Brook wasn't fast enough. All of Tilbin's attacks were directed at her and they punched her violently with dull thumps and bursts of flames. She screamed as she lost her balance.
With a gasp, Linsan spun away.
Brook wasn't fast enough. All of Tilbin's attacks jerked away from Linsan to drive into Brook. The steady thumps of fire pummeled her body as she lost her balance.
Linsan no longer had the beat. She danced away.
Tilbin and Mayforn followed. The guitar set off bursts that Mayforn's clapping boosted. They screamed through the air as they streaked toward her.
Tilbin and Mayforn followed. The guitar set off bursts that Mayforn's clapping boosted Tilbin's power. They screamed through the air as they streaked toward her.
Without her friends helping, Linsan had to play faster while twisting to avoid the attacks. Sweat burned at her brow as she struggled to block. There was no opprotunity to strike herself.
Without her friends helping, Linsan had to play faster while twisting to avoid the attacks. Sweat burned at her brow as she struggled to block. There was no opportunity to strike herself.
She slipped. With a yelp, she fell back as one of the fireballs slammed into her. Heat crushed against her body and she tried to twist Palisis away from the flames.
To her surprise, the heat didn't touch the violion. A shimmering of power rose from the instrument and the flames slide away.
To her surprise, the heat didn't touch the violin. A shimmering force wrapped around the instrument and the flames slid harmlessly off the violin.
Hitting the ground with one shoulder, Linsan kicked back and flipped back onto her feet. She landed next to Brook's smouldering form.
Hitting the ground with one shoulder, Linsan kicked back and flipped back onto her feet. She landed next to Brook's smoldering form.
A sob rose up. "Brook?"
Brook looked up, her hair smoking. She looked at them and then glared. "_Safe Adventures, Our Departed Loves_."
It was a ballad, a song with plenty of opportunity to build up power but there were deseparately few places that it could be used to attack.
It was a ballad, a song with plenty of opportunity to build up power but there were desperately few places where the song could be used to attack.
"Are you---?"
"Play it!" Brook wiped her forehead, leaving a streak of blood. She stood up and clapped hard to knock away the attacks. With a powerful step forward, she smacked her hands together so one palm slid off the other.
"Play it! The cow fuckers don't know it." Brook wiped her forehead, leaving a streak of blood. She stood up and clapped hard to knock away the attacks. With a powerful step forward, she smacked her hands together again but this time one palm slid off the other.
A narrow wave of force shot out of her hand, narrowly avoided Miska as it cut through Gabaw's line of fire. It struck him and threw him into the stage.
Gabaw's body bounced off the wood before he was propelled into the chairs below.
Sobbing, she stood even with Miska. With a smile to her lover, she began to clap out the ryhbtyum of the song.
Sobbing, she stood even with Miska. With a smile to her lover, she began to clap out the rhythm of the song.
Miska joined immeidately, her precision fitting with a song that they had only heard once.
Miska joined immediately, her precision pounding fitting with Brook's mechanical timing for a song they had only heard minutes before.
Trusting her friend, Linsan began to play.
As the fireballs came raining down, they danced. Miska would turn so the fire struck her body and Brook clapped to blow away the firebursts that reached past.
As the fireballs came raining down, the three wove around each other. Miska would turn so the fire struck her body and Brook clapped to blow away the fire bursts that reached past.
Only waves of heat struck Linsan as she improvised her dance. All the hours of practice sank in as she took her skill to recreate the song to create a dance for it.
Only waves of heat struck Linsan as she improvised her dance. All the hours of practice sank in as she took her skill to recreate the song and used it to find a dance that would match it.
Her friends matched her as they blocked the attacks even as Gabaw returned to strike at her.
Her friends worked with her her as they blocked the attacks even as Gabaw returned to strike at her.
Heat and fire raged through the hall.
She danced remembering the purpose of the song, of four lovers that found each other and switched. The happinest of her parents: her father's pride and her mother's resilence. They had suffered for her because of love just as Junith did for her Marin.
She danced remembering the purpose of the song, of four lovers that found each other and switched while remaining friends. The happiness of her parents: her father's pride and her mother's resilience. They had suffered for her because of love just as Junith did for her Marin. Linsan has stepped aside for Miska, but she loved them both.
The song grew louder, magnified by dance, rytyym, and the emotions that rose inside her. She was playing her family's legacy and she would not let their betrayal be forgotten.
The song grew louder, magnified by dance and beat. She was playing her family's legacy and she would not let their betrayal be forgotten.
When the cusp of the song came, the cresdendo that Linsan could finally turn into an attack, she was ready.
When the cusp of the song came, the crescendo that Linsan could finally turn into an attack, she was ready.
Linsan drew the final note with a flourish as the world around her became a malestorm of rippling power. An arrow flew out. Then another and another. They came faster and she joined, breaking the song as she began to play in allegro. Note after note, each one becoming a weapon that struck the stage in a storm.
Linsan drew the final note with a flourish as the world around her became a storm of shimmering power. An arrow flew out. Then another and another. They came faster and she joined, breaking away from the song as she accelerated her playing.
Tilbin broke off his song to switch to another one, no doubt a defensive one, but the arrows didn't stop. They pounded into the stage, slamming into brilliant force as they tore apart wood and stone. More of them struck the three murderers, sending them back in spurts of blood.
Miska and Brook joined her after only a feat beats, clapping and pounding faster as each note become a weapon that rained down on the stage.
Linsan directed a wave of power toward Tilbin's guitar.
Tilbin broke off his song to switch to another one, no doubt a defensive one, but the arrows didn't stop. They pounded ceaseless, exploding into brilliant force as they tore apart wood and stone. They tore into the three murderers, sending them back with spurts of blood and groans of pain.
Tilbin's fingers slipped on the strings.
The magic resisting her faltered.
Linsan directed a wave of power toward his guitar.
As the spectral heads struck it, the wood crack before it shattered from the force of its own strings. His hands were lacerated as he fell back to the ground.
Linsan directed the attacks at the other two men as they dove to the side.
The song ended. She tried to stop it but there was no way to keep playing without breaking it. She stopped sharply, her body shaking as all the energy and emotions drained out of her in an instance.
The song ended. She tried to stop it but there was no way to keep playing without losing everything. There were no more notes left to play, no more energy to fuel them.
She stopped sharply, her body shaking as all the energy and emotions drained out of her in an instance.
Empty, she stared at the carnage before her as she sucked in one breath after the other. Sweat soaked her skin and her muscles trembled from the effort. The air smelled of lightning and flame, a bitter taste that seared the back of her throat.
She was vaglue aware of the magenta motes that floated in the air. They were the feedback from two power forces colliding with each other. She had heard of one or two, but she had never seen the ceiling glowing with the baneful light.
She was vaguely aware of the magenta motes that floated in the air. They were the feedback from two power forces colliding with each other. The more power, the more light but she had never seen a cloud filled with the baneful light that scorched the entire hall.
Ahead of her, Brook leaned against Miska. She let out a whipmer. "D-Did we win?"
Ahead of her, Brook leaned against Miska. She let out a whimper. "D-Did we win?"
Miska clutched her. "I don't know. We got the three but I don't know where your daddy is."
@ -281,6 +295,6 @@ Miska clutched her. "I don't know. We got the three but I don't know where your
Cradling her lover, Miska dropped to her knees to cushion the blow. "I know. But he will never hurt you again, I promise."
Linsan threw herself to Brook to hold eher tightly, Palisis resting in her other hand. "Oh, Brook!"
Linsan threw herself to Brook to hold her tightly, Palisis resting in her other hand. "Oh, Brook!"
Brook's bright brown eyes grew cloudy. "It was a good... song...." And then her eyes rolled up and she slumped forward.

30
chapters/chapter-59.md
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@ -15,37 +15,41 @@ Miska sat on the opposite side, her head rested on Brook's pillow as she stretch
Linsan sat up sharply.
"Did you get Palisis?"
"Did you get Palisis!?"
Wiping the sudden tears, Linsan nodded. "I got it back. Lord Xasnal was annoyed that I ruined Palisis, but he decided that he would look the other way since Tilbin attacked first."
Wiping the sudden tears, Linsan nodded. "I got it back. Lord Xasnal was annoyed that I ruined his commission, but he decided that he would look the other way since Tilbin attacked first."
She gave a rueful smile. "We don't have to even pay for the damage to his hall, but I did have to promise to play for him once everything was rebuilt."
Brook frowned.
Brook frowned. "I'm so---"
"No, it's good. He's going to give me patronage for a year to let everything settle, the investigations to finish up, and your father's trial to proceed."
Linsan held up her hand. "No, it's good. He's going to give me patronage for a year to let everything settle, the investigations to finish up, and your father's trial to proceed."
Her eyes widened. "D-Daddy?"
"They caught him. He was trying to escape on a boat, but the city guard have a number of water talents and he was unable to escape. And Gabaw..." Linsan voice broke as she struggled with the words. "Gabaw made a deal with the authorities. He's got proof that Dukan ordered the fire on our woods and was selling off Sterligs over the years. That is why Dukan had so much money, he had been trading our legacy for cash."
"They caught him. He was trying to escape on a boat, but the city guard have a number of water talents and he was unable to escape. And Gabaw..." Linsan voice broke as she struggled with the words. "Gabaw made a deal with the authorities. He said he had proof that Dukan ordered the fire on our woods and was selling off Sterligs over the years. That is why Dukan had so much money, he had been trading our legacy for cash. The captain's men are escorting him back home to get it."
Tears ran down Brook's face. "Oh, Lin. I'm so sorry. I didn't know."
"There was... they seized his assets here and back home. You got a bunch of letters from your sisters while you were unconscious. I can't imagine they are happy news."
"There was... they already seized your... Dukan's assets here and back home. You got a bunch of letters from your sisters while you were unconscious. I can't imagine they are happy news."
Brook's face fell. "Then I have nothing either."
Miska looked up through her hair that had draped over her face. "You have us."
Brook gave a weak effort at a smile. She pushed the hair away and looked at Miska with love and affection. "I was getting there. I only need you two, right?"
Brook gave a weak effort at a smile. She pushed the hair away and looked at Miska with love and affection. "That's all I really need, right? You two?"
"That's right, Princess." Miska leaned into Brook's hand and nuzzled it. "The healers said it would take a month or three to recover from your injuries and you still owe me something."
"That's right, Princess." Miska leaned into Brook's hand and nuzzled it. "The healers said it would take a month or three to recover from your injuries."
"I hope so. It really hurts right now."
"You aren't getting out what you owe me."
At Brook's confused look, Miska grinned. "I get a royal servant for a week, remember?"
Brook giggled and then winced. "O-Ouch."
"Just because you got stabbed by your own father doesn't let you get out of obligations."
"Just because you got stabbed by your own father doesn't let you get out of obligations." Miska grinned and ran her thumb along Brook's cheek.
"I know! Just don't make me laugh!"
@ -63,11 +67,11 @@ Resting her head back, Brook stroked Miska's hair. "Do you think there is a chan
Linsan cocked her head. "Mayforn? Why?"
"I heard you talking when I was upset. I thought about it while I was driving. They own the land they stole from Miska. She can't own it herself, but I know daddy got around that by having some tribal folk own stocks in a company."
"I heard you talking back when I was upset about losing access to the bank. I thought about it while I was driving. They own the land they stole from Miska's tribe. She can't own it herself, but I know daddy got around that by having some tribal folk own stocks in a company."
"We can't own a business."
"We can't own a business either, my love."
Brook grinned and then winced. "Owning stock is not control. If we got those assets, put it into a company, and then she and the other _Feil_ could have their land back. At least on paper."
Brook grinned and then winced. "Owning stock is not control. If we got those assets, put it into a company, and then you and the other _Feil_ could have their land back. At least on paper."
Miska sighed. "How would that help? It would still be one of you in charge and that person would still be able to steal from the lands."
@ -81,7 +85,7 @@ Miska's face brightened. "Are you offering yourself, Princess?"
"No!" Brook said, her face coloring. Then she glanced at Linsan and back to Miska. "M-Maybe? If Linsan is okay with it?"
Linsan stood up. "As I told you before, you will always be my friend and I will be your lover until you find someone more worthy of the role. You've found your champion now, so I can happily go back to being merely your best friend for the rest of your life and leave you in the hands of your lover."
Linsan stood up. "As I told you before, you will always be my friend and I would be your lover until you find someone more worthy of the role. You've found your champion now, so I can happily go back to being merely your best friend for the rest of your life and leave you in the hands of your lover."
Brook's eyes watered for a moment. "That's a line, isn't it?"

2
language.json
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@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
"Maril",
"Maril's",
"Mayforn",
"Mayforn's",
"Melodol",
"Mis",
"Miska",
@ -43,6 +44,7 @@
"Salamin",
"Sian",
"Sian's",
"Sopenar",
"Sterlig",
"Sterlig's",
"Sterligs",