The Music of the Mind by Ash Adler

Author:Ash Adler [Adler, Ash]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-11-13T22:00:00+00:00

Underwater

They made port at Cebrissa just before midnight, guided in by two beacon fires on the headlands above the bay. Finn stumbled sleepily through his tasks to bring the Muirgen into dock, and then took his turn standing a two-hour watch before he could return to bed. There was no chance to catch up on sleep the next morning: Cinaed rousted them all out early to help unload, for fully half of their load was bound for a merchant in the town. They would be staying in Cebrissa for two days, while the captain bought a cargo for their return trip; a rota was drawn up for a couple of the crew to remain with the ship at all times, but for the rest of the time they were free to do as they pleased. The first mate doled out the sailor’s pay, and the crew dispersed in laughing groups into the town. The twins invited Finn to join them, but he declined, needing some time alone after the close quarters on the ship.

This was Finn’s first time in a foreign country, and to begin with he just listened to the place – the sounds of seagulls, merchants crying their wares, children playing on the sandy beach past the docks – and to the deeper harmonics of each person’s individual song, cataloguing their joys and fears for only him to hear. He wanted to hum along: of course, there were jarring notes as argument translated into sound, but on the whole it was very peaceful, more so than he had ever encountered before in a crowded place. With a jolt, he realized that what he was hearing was the absence of the Medraut’s influence. The whole of Valeria must be affected by its maleficence; it had been subtly twisting everyone’s thoughts as it fed on the culture of intolerance that had been developing for so many years. In time, would its influence spread, Finn wondered? If he came back here in ten years, would he find the same discord here as he already heard at home? Not if I can help it, he thought, feeling like he wanted to cup a protective hand over the whole city and shelter the precious atmosphere of goodwill that he had found here.

He wandered through the town with an open heart, taking in the unfamiliar sights and smells. The winter was milder here, already almost turning towards spring, and he felt like he was slowly defrosting. He spoke only very basic Sunderan, but he had the trained ear of a bard and was quick to pick up meaning – besides, many of the merchants and traders spoke passable Valerian. He bought himself some lunch for a few coppers out of his wages, and it seemed a feast: foods that were luxuries back home, like olives and pomegranates, were common here and cheap.

He particularly wanted to hear the local music, and late in the afternoon he found a tavern where a bard – which in Sundera they called an aoidos – was performing.

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