Singers - 1

I walk across the flagstones, singing the Small Song of Light. Just enough to keep my footing sure in this oldest part of things. Songs were less pure, less certain when these stones were sung, and so they are rougher than the new ones. Our newest stones are bright, clean, almost without flaw. Such improvements we have made in our singing, in our songs.

As I walk, the strains of the various voices come to me from all around. Songs of Wind, Water, Food, Stone. Songs of making, of recording, of cleaning and baking. Songs all around, giving us our needs and asking only that we keep singing into the darkness.

Ahead is the Building of Assignment, where I will be told what songs need singing, and be asked which I will undertake. It was the third of all Buildings, simple and strong, without the refinements we have since added to our Towers. I have always liked its doorway, in which was found the Song of the Arch.

I walk inside, and am greeted.

“Singer Mahd,” Brek says, “how sings the light with you?”

“It sings well, Singer Brek. And with you?”

“Ah, quite well, Singer. I have interesting news for you, Singer. And interesting news for all of us, as well.”

“And what is your interesting news, Singer Brek?”

“First, Singer Tann reports that there may be a new Song soon.” Brek nods and grins. “Perhaps even a new Great Song, if you can believe that.”

“And what sort of song might it be?” I ask.

“That is uncertain, but Tann is certain that this new song will be one of wonder, to astonish us all with new things.”

“And when might we hear this song, and know the new way of things?”

“Also uncertain. But in such uncertainties is the magic of anticipation, Mahd. What fun!” Brek might burst from such anticipation, it looks.

“And you said you had interesting news just for me? Is there a good assignment to be found for me?”

Brek becomes a little more solemn. “Yes, there is a good assignment. Mahd, I have been asked to hold a particular song to be sung. I think you will choose to sing it for us.”

“And what song might this be, Singer Brek?”

“You have been asked, Mahd, to sing the Song of Another.” Brek's eyes light happily with this news. Mine do not, quite so much.