Dionysus As you get done with some writing, you hear an argument from out in the hall. It's in Maraddonian.

Jack_C I listen through the door.

Dionysus "You son of a desert jackal! We were here yesterday! Our agreement stands! There will be no other performers!"

Jack_C Do I know the voice?

Dionysus You recgonize the accent as Windkin, but otherwise, no.

Jack_C I signal Little Wing to keep clear of things, and I open the door.

Dionysus The curtain is pulled aside to reveal three large Windkin gentleman arguing with the innkeepr.

Jack_C Curtain. I forgot.

Dionysus The Windkins, three of them, look your way.

• Jack_C just looks like the slob he is.

Dionysus "Are you the entertainment?"

Jack_C the windkin is asking?

Dionysus Yes

• Jack_C shrugs. "I've been called a lot a' things in my life. Entertaining is one of 'em."

Jack_C "What seems to be the problem?"

Dionysus "You have taken our place."

Dionysus The innkeeper says, "I thought you were gone!"

Jack_C "You guys a band?"

Dionysus "I am Asad, the singer."

Dionysus He expects you to know of him. You do not.

Jack_C I straighten up, fold my arms, and raise my chin a bit, the posture of, "Whip it out and let's measure." "You any good?"

Dionysus Sue, you walk in on Jack asking three Windkin men how good they are.

Dionysus The Windkin man says, "I am the best."

• Sue pauses. What language is this happing in?

Dionysus Maraddonian

Sue ok

Jack_C "Well then, you mind showin' off for our audience in a little contest."

Dionysus He frowns.

Dionysus "I do not show off. What sort of contest?"

• Sue moves closer to the group and sits down against a wall.

Jack_C "One that determines who gets to perform here."

Jack_C "A contest of music."

Dionysus He frowns, "Who judges?"

Jack_C "The innkeeper picks seven people from the audience."

Dionysus The innkeeper gulps.

Dionysus The Windkin says, "When?"

Jack_C I give the time we were supposed to start performing.

Dionysus He frowns, but then nods. "It will be so."

• Jack_C smiles. "That's the spirit."

Jack_C "See you there."

Jack_C I go back in.

• Sue contemplates the uninviting architecture of the region for a moment and begins composing in his book.

Dionysus The Windkin goes off to another room.

Dionysus The innkeeper nervously retreats to his own front room.

Dionysus Sue, what do you write?

• Sue is working on Dragon's Egg, the song of fear.

Sue It's a symphony.

Dionysus How many boxes?

Sue 5?

Dionysus Okay, roll.

Sue r composition 17

Eklem Sue [composition: 17] 25 26 26

Dionysus Two bozes.

Dionysus boxes

• Sue sits on the floor writing, humming, mumbling to himself, and occasionally making hand gestures, then giggling.

Sue For 6-8 hours, or until everyone gets back.

Dionysus Jack, Sue giggles while he composes across the room from you. It's probably very odd.

• Jack_C converses with Little Wing while composting.

Jack_C composing.

Dionysus Sue, Jack sings to a bird, which sings back. It's probably very odd.

Jack_C ahhh. home.

Dionysus With Avery's return to the inn, we can move t the main channel

• Sue looks up around the second or third time Jack sings to his bird, and then says, "Oh, that could work. Manny, can you give me a B sharp?"