Well-Tempered Clavicle Read Online Free PDF Page A

furred female cat appeared, mewing enticingly at Midrange. But the others were on it, and shooed her away before she could do much damage.
    Finally a brilliantly plumed bird addressed Tweeter, tweeting seductively at him. But he, having seen the temptations of the others, knew better, and ignored her.
    The castle came into view. It was a forbidding edifice, massively squatting on a bleak mountain, overlooking a phenomenally ugly lake. Surly clouds roiled overhead, as if angry that the castle even existed. Picka could take or leave living scenery, but he was surprised that a human princess would choose to live in such a mean-spirited place.
    Dawn made a quarter smile. “It’s better inside,” she said.
    They approached the grim front gate. An armored guard glowered down at them. “Begone, intruders,” he called. “This is forbidden; you don’t have permission to access this castle.”
    Dawn brought out a small device. “My ocarina,” she explained. “Eve and I have taken to music in the past two years. We each have our instrument. It’s amazing what music can accomplish.”
    “What does music have to do with this awful place?” Joy’nt asked.
    Dawn lifted the instrument to her mouth and blew into it as her fingers moved across a number of little holes in it. Sweet music emerged, a pleasant tune.
    “Ooof!” the guard cried, covering his ears. “Stop it!”
    Dawn paused, looking at him.
    Defeated, he looked away. “Oh, go ahead and pass,” he grumped.
    “You’re sweet,” Dawn said. And to the others: “See? Music really does sooth the savage breast.” She marched ahead, and the others followed. They had gained admission to the dread castle in a way Picka had not anticipated. But maybe it made sense that ugly spooks of Hades could not stand beauty.
    Once they were inside, things changed. It took Picka a good moment and a half to realize what the change was: the environment had become nice. The grimness was completely gone. The hall was softly lighted with muted colors, and pleasant pictures of Xanthly scenes were hung on the walls. Notable among them were Castle Roogna, where Princess Eve had grown up, and the Good Magician’s Castle.
    “What a difference!” Joy’nt murmured.
    “Eve isn’t like the other denizens of Hades,” Dawn said. “But it’s not politic to advertise that.”
    They reached the main hall. There was music there, and dancing. In fact Princess Eve was conducting a dancing class, playing the music for it on an odd instrument.
    “Panpipes,” Dawn explained. “A series of pipes of different lengths, so they make different notes, bound together. The denizens of Hades like that music; it reminds them of satyrs, who are great players.” She made a small frown/smile. “And not just with musical instruments.”
    They waited while the lesson proceeded. There were eight couples dancing in unison, stepping and turning in a set order. Picka was surprised by how handsome the men were, in living terms, and how lovely the women. They were garbed in suits and flaring dresses of pastel colors, each perfectly formed. They were smiling. That surprised him most.
    “Hades is not a region of torment,” Dawn said, again divining his thought. “It is more of a staging area for souls that have not yet decided where to go. Here they learn useful skills. My sister is helping with the song-and-dance aspect.”
    The dance ended. Only then did Eve turn to them, smiling. She hurried across to hug her sister. “So nice to see you again, Morning Sun!”
    “Ditto, Evening Shade,” Dawn agreed. “I’m here on business. Our friend Picka Bone needs to know his magic talent. I’m sure he has one. I can’t help him, but you can.”
    Eve glanced at Picka. “Let’s play for another dance. Two instruments are better than one.”
    Picka was perplexed. Why wasn’t Eve answering?
    Dawn brought out her ocarina. The two played a lively melody and the couples danced. It was very pretty, both music and dance.