Summersong

ARDUINNA

Jigano begins, and oh does he begin. Arduinna sits herself upon a large root bucking from the ground, her silks draping about her as she tilts her head back and closes her eyes to hear the sweetness in his song. Why, but he is a flatterer. And a marvellous one at that. A smile too crooked to be sweet spreads across her face as she hears the truth beneath the pomp, and it is clear that she is pleased with that too.

As the melody slows and fades, Arduinna looks up, eyes near molten with pleasure. "My my, bard," she croons. "What must I offer you, that you will stay and play for me always?" And there was something suddenly serious in her gaze, something hungry that suggested she planned to get exactly that.

Nature, nurture heaven and home
Sum of all, and by them, driven
To conquer every mountain shown

Table by Sky!