“Not you.” I nod to his working women. “The ladies. Please.”
As a twin set of surprise comes back at me, I indicate the barrier. “You have strong, high voices. I believe that if you get the pitch up enough, the vibration will—”
Conversation explodes around me, people laughing and shaking their heads. Even Thale, who’s been readily enough going along with this, gives the idea a hearty shout of mirth.
“Like with a glass.” I speak louder. “Haven’t you seen someone sing and break a glass before?”
“There are many broken glasses at my establishment,” Thale counters, “but such a note has never been the cause of such a shatter.”
“Please.” I glance back at Merc, who’s frowning at me. Then I refocus on the women. “I heard you singing together the first day I came into the pub. You have pure, soprano voices, and I think the acoustics will help amplify them—”
Thale bends down and picks up a palmful of musket balls. “All these projectiles, over all these years? And you think song will do what these have not.”
“They’re the wrong tool for the job.” I glance up at the gate. “We must try, at least. A concert, for all these people who came this far? And surely you’re willing to share your gifts if they might open this more direct trade route to the Kingdom of the South? And I know I’m right, this is a better way down there.”
Thale inclines his head. “It’s true. It would be much faster.”
“And we are used to sharing our talents,” the raven-haired one says with a seductive smile. “If you want us to sing at this wall, why not.”
She takes the hand of her blond friend and saunters forward. There are some soft words between them and then they nod at each other. With the sunlight streaming down, and the pink and turquoise dresses, they’re like part of a rainbow come to rest in the midst of all the lead shot, axe-heads, and iron hammers.
They take a couple of deep breaths. Then there’s a pause filled by the restless crowd chattering.
I glance at Merc once again. He’s staring at me, as if two beautiful women in bodices that accentuate their assets are not standing a length away from him—
The women start to sing, their voices rising and falling to a tune that is chipper and lively. The harmonizing skips along the cliffs and redoubles, until the song comes alive as if a hundred voices are carrying these words I do not understand—
“No, no.” I cut them off, waving my hands. “It’s lovely, but—”
The women fall silent and glare at me.
“One note.” I wish I could look them in the eyes to make my point. “Just one. As loud and high and long as you possibly can.”
I remember how Sallae Mae used to do it, focusing her voice on the rim of the glass, singing in a prolonged, steady way until—
“On three,” I tell the women. “One… two…”
As I get to three, I point at them.
There’s only annoyed silence. Until Thale orders sharply, “Do as she says.”
“One,” I repeat. “Two… andthree.”
On my command, they both strike a note, high and loud and clean. “More!” I yell over the sound. “And project it at the barrier!”
I slap my hand on the pane, and I can feel the vibration. “Yes! It’s working! Keep going—”
They run out of air almost as soon as they start, and take deep breaths to recover. All around, the crowd shifts on their feet.
“We need to try again.” I look over toward my horse. “And we need one more voice.”
Sixty-SixBreaking Barriers.
Leaving the Crystal Gate, I approach Lalah. “You must join them—”
The girl’s eyes bulge with fear and she clasps the collection of reins close to her heart. “Oh, mistress, no—”
I lower my voice, so that only she can hear. “You sang, outside of my room, right after we checked in. It was beautiful, and higher notes than the two of them reach now. Please. Sing—not for them. Sing for me. I must get to the Kingdom of the South, as soon as I can—this is the only way.”
