She began to clap along to the beat. Then the beat began, a fast drum. It was an infectious song, a fun song. Not just for children. And there was another reason Cara had chosen it.

She winked at the children, and then she began to dance.

She started with just a standing boogie, moving her hands and legs in a little, swaying rhythm as she sang. The kind of action someone who was reluctant to move might do just to seem willing.

Culin and Sasi perked up as they listened to something different. Energetic, with instruments they had never heard before. And the strange young woman was dancing different too! No ballroom waltz or even the kind of dancing you did in taverns. She began to shimmy left, clapping to the beat.

“What is that? I’ve never seen anyone dance like that!”

Sasi giggled in delight. Cara laughed.

“What, you’ve never seen anyone dance like this? How about this?”

She copied more moves from the famous music video where she’d first seen the song. And she threw in a few more. The brother and sister’s eyes nearly popped out of their heads when she moonwalked a few steps.

“How did you do that? How did you do that? A Skill?”

“Nope. Just pure talent. Come on! Dance!”

The [Singer] began singing again. And there, in the street—there were lights. Color, amid the dreary landscape. Not as vibrant as at night—but it suited the moment.

Culin and Sasi gawked at the lights, and then at the dancing young woman. And the foot-tapping beat made them move. They looked at each other, and then they giggled and laughed.

And they danced too. When they smiled, they were like proper kids. They danced, wildly or embarrassed, and then just for the fun of it.

It was worth it. Even if—

Even if her iPhone went dead after the third repetition of the song.

It was worth it, Cara knew. For those smiles.

——

Lady Risel was furious and worried, as parents often were. She strode out of the keep with four of the guard to search for her offspring. She’d noticed them being gone only because she’d been going to offer them some of the custard to make sure it was to satisfaction.

She heard the strange song in the distance. Lady Risel turned her head.

“What a strange melody.”

The woman hesitated—but she was sure that Sasi and Culin would be right there if they were in the town, which she hoped they were. Was that Lantal’s songmistress from the village? It was nothing like traditional Afiele working songs.

Either way, she investigated as the other four retainers hurried to look for the children. The music stopped when Risel got closer.