Page 86 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“He labored alone, coaxing brilliant crystals from themountain and gaining wisdom from their songs. Unwilling to waste stone, he fashioneda home for himself—columns and arches and chambers and halls. Over time, heembellished every room, lavishing them with all his attention and affection,for there was no one else with whom he could share them.”
There was a lesson there. Mother always paused upon thispoint. Beauty upon beauty. Yet the loveliness echoed. A soul longed for more.
Sinder went on. “To fill the halls, Persiflage took tosinging. He harmonized with the stones he’d collected, and he sang the balladsof beginnings. When he ran out of old lyrics, he began to compose new ones. Richin detail. Threaded with longing. Captivating in unforeseen ways, for the verystars bent low to hear him.
“Only Persiflage did not realize it.
“Not until a summer’s eve when a star drew near and spoke. Hegave the name Bethiel and asked, ‘Why do you sigh?’”
“Wait a sec,” interrupted Ginkgo. “I thought Bethiel was oneof the seven angels. Or was it ten?”
“Who can say how many angels there might be?” Kyrie wasquoting his mother, who knew a lot about such things. “But yes, he is commonlynumbered among the angels who visited the Amaranthine clans in times past.”
“Like Soriel of the Dawning,” interjected Mikoto. “And Cadmielof the Echoing Song.”
Timur said, “Bethiel is a frequent figure in the lore ofavian clans and dragon clans. Those who fly and those who live in high places.”
“Yes, this isthatBethiel,” acknowledge Sinder. “Andif you want tales of Cadmiel or Auriel or Fandriel, we can trade tales on othernights. But Beckonthrall met Bethiel. And that’s when his story gets …interesting.”
“Please, continue,” urged Kyrie. Sinder’s storytelling waseven better than Mother’s, for his voice changed with each part, givingpersonality to the players. Solemn and sonorous for the lonesome dragon. Warmand winsome for his angelic visitor.
Sinder composed himself and took up the narrative.
“‘Why do you sigh?’ asked Bethiel ‘Why are there tears uponyour face?’
“‘I am unloved,’ complained Persiflage.
“‘Not so. You are greatly loved.’
“The dragon supposed that Bethiel was referring to theMaker’s unwavering ways. But that was little comfort. He clarified. ‘I amalone.’
“‘Not so,’ repeated the angel. ‘Your companions are asconstant as they are inconstant.’
“But Persiflage knew every handsbreadth of his home. Hebegan to suspect that this was no star and no angel, but a trickster come tomock his pain. ‘Am I blind, then?’
“‘Not so,’ Bethiel said yet again. ‘If anything, you aredeaf.’
“‘What am I meant to hear?’
“The angel held a finger to his lips, and Persiflage fellsilent. For long moments, he listened. But the only sound was the wind sighing throughempty halls. Nothing had changed.
“Not wanting to seem ungrateful, Persiflage opened his armsand said, ‘You are here, and for that I am grateful. Come inside and enjoy whathospitality I can offer.’
“‘Answer me this,’ countered Bethiel. ‘Why do you—a dragon—takehumanity’s guise?’
“Persiflage thought the question odd, but he cravedconversation. ‘I like this form, this size, this voice. Is it not the same foryou, starry one?’
“Bethiel asked, ‘Who taught you this form?’
“‘My father.’
“‘And did you wish to learn?’
“‘Very much.’ Persiflage smiled. ‘I wanted to be like him.To become his companion.’
“‘Was it easy?’
“‘Not at first, but his words helped me. He guided me intohis arms, which is where I wanted to be.’
