The entertainers continued to play their songs as the guests twirled on the floor. Kyera once again, sat beside Raina watching the child's face. There was a soft darkness like a storm cloud gathering over the child's head. She seemed to be brooding over some unknown problem and it was starting to worry Kyera.
"What's on your mind, Raina?" Kyera spoke quietly so no one else could hear her. It took a moment for Raina to look at her teacher, the sadness in her eyes apparent.
"Am I talentless?" Raina asked completely blindsiding her teacher. Kyera frowned deeply examining her expression.
"Raina you have many talents, beautiful and useful talents. Why would you ask me that?" Kyera demanded knowing how bruised the child's self worth was it wasnt a unusual question. It made sense, but it also made her angry. She had thought Raina's confidence had been improving by leaps and bounds. Then a idea struck her. "Princess did someone say something?" she could tell by her expression she had hit the nail on the head.
"Yes… the lady was comparing me to her sister who is younger than me and performs poems…" Raina replied looking down, ashamed. Kyera frowned as the heat of rage filled her chest.
"Raina why do you call me Teacher?" Kyera asked patiently. This was not a area she was going to allow the child to doubt herself. She would guide her back through this storm.
"You started teaching me to play the Zither." Raina replied with a bit of a curious look. Kyera nodded, glad she was following her thought process.
"Yes, and when you play do you or do you not sing the words of the song?" Kyera asked still leading. There was a small spark of realization in her eyes.
"Yes…" Raina agreed
"Princess a song is simply a poem put to music. You just haven't performed yet. Perhaps… do you trust me?" Kyera asked as she realized the easiest way to shut these women up and build Raina up. The keu was they would both have to believe in her.
"Yes, of course I trust you." Raina replied without hesitation. That made Kyera smile. She stood up and took Raina's hand. She walked up to the front where the entertainers where and began whispering to the two men playing. They looked at Raina then at Kyera who met his eyes with fierce certainty. He nodded agreeing to Kyera's plan.
************
Clovis continued dancing with yet another young woman as the music began to change and come to a stop. He saw Kyera sitting next to the entertainer with a black Zither over her lap, cherry blossoms painted across the surface.
"Good Evening honored guests. I would like to dedicate this song to our Empress Evelyn. It is called The Mother of Many by Silvia Roarer. I hope this shall please you." Kyera spoke clearly as she posed her hands over the strings of the instrument on her lap. She began stroking the strings and allowing the music to fill the room. Kyera's voice raising to bring the story to life.
Within moments the people were whispering praises of Kyera's skill. She smiled listening as these things were said. As her voice continued bringing them the song her hands stopped moving.
The song clearly portrayed that a Empress was the mother of her people, hope in the darkest moments. Kyera slowly rose to her feet leaving the Zither on the floor. She was still singing strongly, but the music never broke.
The guests stopped dancing watching her in shock and looking around for her partner. Kyera stepped off the dais and smiled softly as she closed her lips. At which point another voice filled the hall. A little girl's voice continuing the story.
Kyera stepped away and the two men who were playing music behind her stepped away as well. At which point they could see the girl behind them.