32 The Game Changes (2/2)

The elf child smiled and mounted the medium sized cat.

(What is in your bag? It is heavier then you are.) Ken growled slightly.

Lillith looked down. ”Thank you.” She gently scratched behind his fluffy ears.

The two returned to the party.

”Lilly?” Purai asked.

The young girl realized where Ken had taken her. She lowered her head. ”I'm sorry. I wanted to make sure you made it to your destination safely.”

Ken tilted his head to partially look at her and hissed. (Tell the truth.)

She jumped slightly. Her heavy bag slammed into the lynx's back.

Ken clenched his jaw as it hurt a bit. [You have taken 2 impact damage. You have bitten your tongue and have taken 2 damage.]

Princess sighed. ”Lillith, Ken wants you to tell the truth.”

Lillith looked back up resolutely. ”I'm coming with you Purai.”

Ken lowered his body once again, eager to get the girl off of him before she hurt him further.

The girl hopped off the cat. ”Thank you for helping me to find my courage again, Ken.”

Ken gave a nod and then hid out of sight. He reverted back to his human form.

Purai looked conflicted. ”But Lilly, what about…”

”I left them a note. Technically I am older than you so why can't I travel too? Besides, the only one who might care is my grandpa.” Lillith interrupted.

Ken returned.

Jericho shrugged. ”There is no point in trying to dissuade her. She came here despite knowing the consequences. As long as you can accept the things that will come from your actions Lillith, I won't try to stop you. If you are coming then come.”

They entered Pren.

Jericho led the group up to the familiar upper tree platform where they had performed once before.

Some of the former audience members saw them arrive and quickly messaged their friends.

Jericho split himself and pulled out both the wooden flute and guitar. He started to play a lightly rhythmic but relaxing song.

Princess danced as if she were telling a story.

Unable to suppress the urge to play, Lillith started playing her higher toned flute. The sounds started to clash at first but eventually smoothed out and synchronized.

They finished the piece and Jericho looked over to the young elf with a gentle smile. ”Great work.” He complimented.

The elf smiled.

He put the instruments away and pulled out the piano. He gave a slight smirk as he thought about Ken and Lux's earlier competition. ”Everyone, I will be giving you a sneak peak at a new duet I recently wrote. When I release my next album a professional performance of this piece will be in it. Enjoy listening to it pre-maturely!”

Princess backed off to hear this new composition her brother made.

The audience was shocked as they heard Jericho shout ”I challenge you! You're on!”

A playful yet competitive sounding duet echoed in the surroundings.

Ken froze as he realized the composition was about him and Lux competing playfully yet fiercely the last few days.

The duet came to an end and the audience clapped.

”Do you have a planned release date for your album?” An audience member shouted.

”Not yet, I still have at least ten more songs to write for it,” Jericho replied.

Princess stepped forward and interrupted her brother. ”When he is almost ready to release the album, we will make an announcement. Until then, thank you for your support so far.”

Jericho nodded at his sister's words. ”Shall we continue?” He shouted to the audience.

They cheered.

The bard's eyes regained the more of the light it had formerly lost. ”This is one of my more well known pieces.” He started to say. ”It is known as The Serenade for the Soothing of the Soul.”