Only Skeletons Remain

Chapter 41: Music Lesson

Harper sat at the piano, her fingers dancing over the keys. She had learned the piano back home in Puerto Rico, and Lisden had allowed her to play the piano as a way to bide her time. She pulled her robe sleeves up to her elbows as she continued playing. She heard footsteps from behind her, and she stopped playing, seeing Tyler.

"You're pretty good!" Tyler said. "Where did you learn to play?" He asked, moving to stand next to her. 

"Back home on the island." Harper replied. "My mother used to play this song all the time." She felt a pang of grief rush through her.

"You miss her, don't you? Both of them." Tyler moved to sit down next to her on the piano bench.  

"Very much. They were all I had." Harper whispered, watching as Tyler's fingers began to play something on the piano. "I don't remember life without them, and I saw my mother's dead body when the hurricane destroyed my house."

Tyler frowned as he continued playing. "I'm so sorry. You're too young for that." He told her, watching as Harper began to mirror his movements without pressing on the keys. 

"Her last moments were spent saving me and my brothers." Harper whispered, glancing at Tyler's hands before she began to play the keys Tyler was. "What song is this?" She asked, changing the subject.

"It's called Smithereens." Tyler said. "I can teach you to play it." He offered with a smile. He knew this would be good for her. "Here's how you play it."

After an hour or so, Harper had gotten the song pretty well. Tyler realized that Harper had a gift for music. She learned the song faster than normal. "That sounds pretty good!" He praised, ruffling Harper's hair.

Harper playfully swatted him away with a giggle. "I have the best teacher." She replied.

"Harper." Lisden's voice came from behind them, and the vulture bishop stared at her. 

"Yes, Lisden?" Harper got up and began walking towards Lisden, giving one glance back at Tyler before she looked up at her mentor.

"I have a job for you." Lisden told her. "We're missing a host and a bishop. Part of being a bishop is going after lost hosts." He explained, his head tilting.

"Okay. Can I bring Lyra?" Harper asked.

"You're actually bringing Liam today." Lisden told her as Listo and Liam walked over to them.

"Harper!" Liam rushed towards her, giving her a tight hug. Harper hugged her brother back, closing her eyes.

"Liam." She whispered, "How are the brothers?" She asked, pulling back and staring at her brother. 

"They're fine. They miss you." Liam replied. "We should take them outside whenever we get back." He suggested.

"That would be nice." Harper replied. She turned to Lisden. "When do we leave?" She asked.

Lisden seemed to think for a few moments before he looked at Listo. "Curra thana vésh?" He spoke in the similiar foreign language Harper had heard before.

"Essa, varno talam vé." Listo replied with a dip of his head. "Ethura talam thassa vechtu." He suggested.

"Ishra, vala essé réh vela." Lisden cooed before he spoke in English. "You will leave tonight." He told them. "Until then, you're free to do as you wish."

Harper nodded before turning back to Tyler, who had started playing a slower song on the piano. "Tyler! This is my brother, Liam."

Tyler turned his head to look at the twins. "Harper has told me so much about you." He hummed, giving Liam a kind smile. "Your sister has quite the talent for piano."

Liam nodded. "She always did. She played the piano in band back at school." He replied, glancing over at Harper.

"Music is the thing that keeps me calm. Tyler taught me a song called Smithereens." Harper looked at her brother. "I'll play it for you some time." She said.

"Sounds good," Liam hummed. "I'm going to take a walk, but we'll meet at the academy when it's time." He gave her a hug before turning and walking down the hallway.

Harper watched her brother go before turning back to Tyler. "Thank you." She said.

"For what?" Tyler asked, furrowing his brow.

"For being my light in the darkness." Harper told him. "I'm going to go look for Lyra. I'll see you soon." She told him before she turned and began walking towards the library. She pushed open the wooden doors of the library, seeing Lyra flipping through her Lorekeeper book with a furrowed brow.

"Lyra?" Harper called, slowly walking towards the woman. She could see her eyes darting across the pages as she flipped back and forth. 

"Something is missing," Lyra hummed to herself, her eyes finding Harper, "oh! Harper!" She closed her book, locking it as she went over to greet her.

Harper hugged her, closing her eyes for a few moments before pulling away. "How are you?" She asked.

"Stressed." Lyra replied. "We're missing a Lorekeeper book, and I have no idea where it is. I'm assuming it's Clancy's, but why would he take his book?"

"Am I allowed to read?" Harper asked, peering over Lyra's shoulder. "Or is it strictly for Lorekeepers?" She asked with a teasing smile.

Lyra looked at Harper. "Well, you're a bishop's apprentice, so I'm sure it'll be fine." She pushed the book to the side so Harper could read it.

Harper furrowed her brow, reading the excerpt on the page:

"The boy who once called himself Clancy was not born to be a warrior, nor was he ever meant to remain a prisoner of DEMA. From the moment of his escape, when the walls of his prison cracked and crumbled behind him, something within him shifted—an ember ignited, fierce and untamable. He shed the skin of fear and uncertainty and began his journey into the unknown. With each step, the ghost of Clancy faded, replaced by a figure of strength, resilience, and defiance. That figure was Miguel.

Miguel was not merely a name, but a symbol—a manifestation of what Clancy could never become within DEMA's grasp. He became a beacon of hope for the Banditos, and for all those who sought freedom. But with that power came a heavy burden. The world demanded much from Miguel: leadership, sacrifice, and the weight of prophecy. He was no longer the boy who ran from his captors; he was the man who would stand against them.

Clancy may have run, but Miguel stood his ground. He would become the guardian of the Banditos, the voice of the forgotten, and the flame that DEMA could not extinguish. In his transformation, he left behind a legacy of courage, one that continues to burn in the hearts of those who fight in his name."

Harper blinked at the excerpt she read, and she pushed the book back to Lyra. Miguel..? As in her Abuelito? He was Clancy? He was the one who escaped? Is that why the bishops fought so hard to keep them here?

"Harper?" Lyra gently grabbed her shoulder. "Are you alright?" She asked, concern etched on her face.

"Clancy is my grandfather." Harper whispered.