Raul takes a moment to calm himself. He unhooks his violin, and begins strumming a slow tune.
"Leyla was the most beautiful girl in the tribe. Many men courted her, but she held out.
I could think of nothing else, day and night. But my face is homely, my youth had fled already, and I had nothing special to offer her.
Except, perhaps, my music. I played for her, and she smiled. And again I played. But it was not enough.
I knew that sometimes, strong emotions can trigger magical effects in this world. That's why the dying curse of a Vistana is so feared - passion is power.
One night, I crept into Leyla's vardo. While she slept, I cut off a lock of her hair. I guess that's why she called me a thief."
He stops playing, and then holds forth his violin, so that Jiles can take a close look at it. The strings are auburn hair.
"My violin became a thing of great power. I wouldn't dare to travel these woods without it. With it, I can charm any audience. Even the undead. Once I was set upon by a pack of ravenous ghouls. I had little chance of fighting them off, but instead of drawing my sword, I drew my violin bow. The music calmed the monsters, and I was able to back away.
My playing improved dramatically, so I set out to woo Leyla. For a year and a day, I played her songs. Finally, she agreed to be my wife. It was more than I deserved.
When the unthinkable happened, and she died in childbirth, I did as Vistani custom demanded, ceremonially burning all of her possessions. But she is restless anyway. Perhaps she will never leave Nikko alone."
"Leyla was the most beautiful girl in the tribe. Many men courted her, but she held out.
I could think of nothing else, day and night. But my face is homely, my youth had fled already, and I had nothing special to offer her.
Except, perhaps, my music. I played for her, and she smiled. And again I played. But it was not enough.
I knew that sometimes, strong emotions can trigger magical effects in this world. That's why the dying curse of a Vistana is so feared - passion is power.
One night, I crept into Leyla's vardo. While she slept, I cut off a lock of her hair. I guess that's why she called me a thief."
He stops playing, and then holds forth his violin, so that Jiles can take a close look at it. The strings are auburn hair.
"My violin became a thing of great power. I wouldn't dare to travel these woods without it. With it, I can charm any audience. Even the undead. Once I was set upon by a pack of ravenous ghouls. I had little chance of fighting them off, but instead of drawing my sword, I drew my violin bow. The music calmed the monsters, and I was able to back away.
My playing improved dramatically, so I set out to woo Leyla. For a year and a day, I played her songs. Finally, she agreed to be my wife. It was more than I deserved.
When the unthinkable happened, and she died in childbirth, I did as Vistani custom demanded, ceremonially burning all of her possessions. But she is restless anyway. Perhaps she will never leave Nikko alone."
