章 45: Chapter 45: Of Music and Lore

The crowd watches as the bardi master waits to respond. His face appears as emotionless as stone. My eyes catch Lalu's gaze. Evidently, she is uncertain of her old friend's take on our performance. After another uncomfortable silence, he claps while providing a smile.

"Hyvin tehty!" He approaches the stage with delight. "Tervetuloa joukkoomme!"

Upon the Mystikka's warm regards, the audience returns to a jovial reception of our act. As the day wanes, other bardi from the troupe take the stage. Ava, for one, plays a fierce fiddle while a male Mystikka with bronze skin and red eyes dances with fire magic.

I watch in amusement while he tosses lit batons in the air. I am told that the dance is an old nod to the fire festivals that were once held in high esteem in Jalokivi. Unfortunately, an inexperienced 'Tulitaikuri,' or fire magician, set the garden ablaze. Ever since, the fire festival has been forsaken in practice.