Podginus glances embarrassedly over at ArchGovernor Augustus, who descends on golden gravBoots to watch more closely. His shining hair glistens against his noble brow. High cheekbones catch the light. Those golden eyes examine my wife as though a worm had suddenly sprouted a butterfly's wings. His scar curves as he speaks with a voice dripping power. "Let her sing," he says to Podginus, not bothering to hide his fascination. "But, my lord …" "No animal but man throws themselves willingly into the flames, Copper. Relish the sight. You'll not see it again." To his camera crew: "Continue recording. We will edit out the parts we find intolerable." How futile his words make her sacrifice seem. But never has Eo been more beautiful to me than in that moment. In the face of cold power, she is fire. This is the girl who danced through the smoky tav with a mane of red. This is the girl who wove me a wedding band of her own hair. This is the girl who chooses to die for a song of death.
My love, My love..
Remember the cries..
When winter died for spring skies
They roared and roared
But we grabbed our seed
And sowed a song
Against their greed
And Down in the vale
Hear the reaper swing, the reaper swing
The reaper swing Down in the vale Hear the reaper sing
A tale of winter done.
My son, my son
Remember the chains
When gold ruled with iron reins
We roared and roared
And twisted and screamed
For ours, a vale of better dreams
As her voice finally swells and the song runs out of words, I know I have lost her. She becomes something more important; and she was right, I do not understand. "A quaint tune. But is that all you have?" the ArchGovernor asks her when she is through. He looks at her but he speaks loudly, to the crowd, to those who will watch in the other colonies. His entourage chuckles at Eo's weapon, a song. What is a song but notes unto the air? Useless as a match in a storm against his power. He shames us. "Do any of you wish to join her in song? I implore you, bold Reds of …" He looks to his assistant, who mouths the name. "… Lykos, join her now if you wish." I can barely breathe past the stone. It chips my molars. Tears stream down my face. No voices rise from the crowd. I see my mother trembling with anger. Kieran clutches his wife close. Narol stares at the ground. Loran weeps. They are all here, all quiet. All afraid. "Alas, Your Excellency, we find the girl alone in her zealotry," Podginus declares. Eo has eyes only for me. "'Tis clear her opinion is an outlier's, an outcast's. Mayhaps we should proceed?" "Yes," the ArchGovernor says idly. "I have an appointment with Arcos. Hang the rusty bitch lest she continue to howl."