The Lost Castle by Michael Pryor Page A

singing.
    Smiling, Adalon got to his feet. He winced when he realised he'd slept awkwardly on his tail. He stretched for a moment, enjoying his friend's music. It was a mixture of trills and rolls, a happy, rollicking tune that made the day sparkle.
    'You're feeling better,' he said.
    She stopped singing and turned to him. 'Much.'
    Adalon studied her. The dullness had gone from the scales under her eyes. She looked rested and refreshed, full of energy. He stared into her eyes, looking for the shadow that had haunted her. She looked back at him, grinning, eyes bright, except for – no, he was mistaken. Simangee was herself again.
    'I see nothing there,' he announced.
    'I beg your pardon?' Simangee said. 'Am I nothing? What about this, then?'
    She reached out with her claws and nipped him on the hand.
    'Tcha!' he said, clicking his tongue. 'What was that for?'
    'To show you I'm not nothing.'
    Adalon laughed. It was good to have his friend back. 'The evil cloud? You're rid of it?'
    Simangee immediately looked more sombre. 'I hope so.' She shuddered. 'It was horrible. I felt as if I was walking in darkness.' She glanced at him. 'It was a creature of the A'ak, you know. A magical servant. They used it to control those who needed controlling.'
    'I didn't know what to do. I thought getting you to safety was the best thing.'
    Simangee patted him on the shoulder. 'It was. It gave me time to draw on the Way of the Crest. I was able to use the music of the world to counter the cloud's taint.'
    The Ways of the other saur were a mystery to Adalon. He knew of them, of course, and always listened respectfully whenever Targesh or Simangee spoke of their beliefs, but they were as foreign to him as another language.
    'The music of the world?' he said.
    Simangee glanced at Adalon and seemed to weigh up how much to tell him. 'The Way of the Crest is based on the fact that the entire world is one great, musical composition. Everything has its part, everything contributes to the harmony that binds the world together. Part of our duty when we study the Way of the Crest is to try to hear the music of the world, to try to respond to it.' She shook her head. 'I'm still young, still learning. In the past, I've tried my best, but the music of the world has eluded me. Until last night.'
    'You heard it?'
    'I did. I was concentrating, aware of the taint of the evil cloud within me. I wanted to banish it completely and I knew that the Way of the Crest was my only hope. I remembered its lessons, its music; I studied each melody, watched every note.' Simangee paused, her gaze distant, her face thoughtful. 'Then, for one brief moment, I sensed the music of the world.' She looked at her friend. 'It was majestic, Adalon. Vast, swelling and mighty – but it was almost too much. I took what I could, found the part that helped me most, and then it faded away. I was left with a small fragment, a melody that I used to rid myself of the last trace of the evil cloud.'
    Adalon studied his friend. Her face was merry and she snorted.
    'Stop looking at me like that, Adalon. I'm perfectly well!'
    'Of course.'
    At that moment, Targesh clumped into the room. 'Big place.' He stopped and sneezed.
    'What have you found?' Adalon asked.
    Targesh shrugged. 'Lots of dust.'
    'What else?'
    'Empty rooms. No food, though.'
    'Any sign of the A'ak?' Simangee asked, and a shadow crossed her face.
    'Nothing.'
    'The A'ak left things behind,' Simangee said slowly, frowning. 'Or so the book says.'
    'Helpful things?' Adalon asked.
    'Weapons. Magical items.'
    'Food?' Targesh asked.
    'Not unless it's magical food. And I don't think you'd like what it would do to you.'
    Targesh grunted. 'Plenty of greenery out there. That'll do.'
    'Look for some berries and nuts,' Simangee said. 'There could be fruit trees somewhere nearby, too.'
    Targesh tilted his head. 'Adalon?'
    'We're beside a river. I can live on fish.'
    'Good,' Targesh said. 'I'll get something for Simangee and me.'
    'She and I will