And now, we're Outside at Fardel Well Health Spa in the Daytime
"Walk with me, Jason."
Aplot tried again. "Walk with me, Jason."
Jason was tickled to death whenever Aplot tried to be friendly, but he must need something big this time, usually he gives up before a third try.
"Walk with me, Jason."
"Anything for you, Aplot."
"During my years of study at the Music Guild..."
"Wait a minute, what?" Jason interrupted, "A Pitch for the Guild...you?" Aplot shrugs off Jason's enamor.
"...While Windy and the Banned were forecasting the weather just by playing to a piece of music I was more interested in instruments of coercion used to persuade others to serve me.
They taught that at the Guild?
I learned to dance, Jason. Dancing changed my fortune.
I didn't know dancing did that!
There are more ways than one to collect celestial forces. Sound is the way of the Music Guild. But their Fixes are dangerous. They harm as easily as they can heal. Dance taught me another way—a different way: my way. The body knows how to bend and straighten and with these two gestures, they kicked me out of the Guild.
Why did they kick you out of the Guild?
Aplot did not answer. He examined Jason. Here you are asking me the questions. I have more respect for you, Jason. Paris treated you like a pawn. You're becoming a player. Aplot hands Jason Windy's confiscated Songbook.
The ice machine is not leaking, Jason. The crystals that you found on the ground are candidates that refused refinement. I know, it's difficult to swallow—why reject refinement especially when when it's so good for them. But Paris was not ready.
Jason skimmed through the pages of Windy's book. Why me?
my dear boy, you possess a sharp wit and a keen insight into the nature of music. It is only practical that you write a Fix for Paris.
After you said it was dangerous? Taking on danger is part of the job, Jason. In the pursuit of well being, we must be willing to embrace the right sound. Tonight, that sound is for Paris.
Can you do it yourself?
I wish I could dance for Paris—if it were that simple, but her recovery rests in your song, Jason.
Don't you know how? Asked Jason.
My boy, it is not a matter of lacking knowledge or fearing exposure of my own limitations. I recognize the complexity of Paris' situation and I believe that by leveraging you're unique abilities and taking a calculated risk with this confiscated songbook sanctioned by the Music Guild, we can together achieve our shared goal.
What is our goal? The Fardels are the main source of energy throughout the land, and I plan to keep it that way by any means necessary. What Paris knows jeopardizes everything we have worked for.
You're willing to sacrifice Paris Shoes for your plan?
Jason, it is necessary to make difficult choices but at the end of the day we will have secured and maintained power because of your music.You are the only one for the job.
PARIS SHOES
SOMETHING GONE WRONG.
PARIS FOUND A LEAK IN APLOT'S PLAN.
ONCE THE PUBLIC DISCOVERS,
HE WILL BE DESTROYED
THIS SUMMER
HE WONT LET THAT HAPPEN
WHAT PARIS KNOWS EARNS HER
A ONE WAY TICKET TO THE ICE MACHINE
SHE WAS THE HOTTEST CUBE IN THE FREEZER
NOW SHE'S OUT BEHIND THE WHEEL
ON THE RUN FOR HER LIFE
SOUND LIKE PARIS COULD USE A FIX!
YOU ARE READING
BLADESTORM
FantasyBLADESTORM is a 2024 fantasy adventure story written by Billy Benner and Mike Solomon, the first installment in Benner's Windy, Mysteries of the Kung Fu Whistler trilogy. In the story, Windy--a musical Pitch for the Music Guild, joins the Banned, a...
