69

Alvis contemplates the stage. His expression is as calm as it always is in public, though he keeps fidgeting with his glasses. You're not sure if it's Min or Meredith that he's most suspicious of, but he doesn't seem to suspect any real danger.

Finished with the tuning process, Min steps up to the edge of the platform and sweeps into an elaborate bow. You're too far away to be sure, but you almost think their robe is telling a story in itself. The longer you look, the more the decorations look like tiny figures you'd see on a tapestry, but you can't make out any details.

"The astounding accomplishments of your gallant visitors and their companions have captivated us even across the Lissian," Min says, straightening and retrieving their instrument. "When I sang at home in Sienha, I sought to retell the true stories of our own heroes as faithfully as possible. And in all my years of study and performance, I found no story more deserving of that treatment than that of the heroes you see seated there."

Several patrons nod approvingly in your direction. Alvis waves, his smile frozen in place.

Min begins playing the same lilting tune you heard outside your house in Archa and lifts their silky voice in song.

At the crossroads they met, on a dark summer night,

With the shame of their crime on their backs,

Though they knew not the threat they'd been called forth to fight,

Or the cause of the mayor's dread acts.

At the reference to the crossroads, Alvis jumps and gives first Min and then you a long, hard stare.

Next

Through a truly impressive number of verses, the song continues in much the same style. Aside from the core deception, Min appears to know every detail of every aspect of your journey.

The verse about your approach into Pasema catches your attention:

There was much they discussed, while they moved north with haste,

As the omens imperiled the gate:

Like their new bond of trust, and the risks they all faced

Hope and loss, friends and family, and fate.

You were discussing Verity's family on the way into Pasema, but there's no way in the world Min could know that.

Next