For each day in Benthos, only an hour passed in the world above. Labor Day weekend gave the new friends more than two months to practice, train, and get to know each other. It had been thirty days since they had ridden the Allegro down the whirlpool, and Benthos was starting to feel like home.
Trevor spent most of his time working with the bassoon. It was still bent, but the ugly noises began to sound more like music. He persuaded the woodwind to leak valve oil at will, not just a little, but a lot. It wasn’t a very useful skill: mostly, the instrument just appeared to be crying. It was, after all, incredibly young.
Veronica had changed dramatically since her acquisition of Anastasia the viola. No longer a prickly, loud hellion, she spoke with calm assurance, seeming more comfortable in her own skin. Veronica spent her days with the viola masters and performed finger exercises constantly. She never played in front of anyone. Whenever a friend asked her, she blushed and said, "Anastasia says I'm not ready. I need more practice."
Finally, there was Angus. He had not found his voice, and an Instrument hadn't found him. He was exempt from Mass Choir but not happy about it. Most people still avoided him because of his father. Patience wearing thin, he directed frustrated energy into training at the Arena. Angus quickly became one of Horace's top students alongside Zach. The two of them strove to outdo each other, which, in a way, pushed them both to greater heights.
When enough time had passed for most newcomers to be found by their first Instrument, an Orientation Day for New Instruments was held at the Conservatory. For obvious reasons, Angus would be watching rather than participating.
"I heard the Conservatory is alive," Trevor spoke through a mouthful of scrambled eggs. "My mentor, Resha, said that it breathes, but so slowly, it’s almost unnoticeable."
Angus nodded thoughtfully. "Everything is alive, according to Clavis. Although he often speaks in riddles, it’s hard to know exactly what he means, most of the time."
"He sure is quite the character," said Trevor. "You’re lucky to have him as your mentor. Resha is nice, but she doesn't have Clavis's experience."
"We're all lucky in our own ways," Veronica observed sadly.
Trevor tapped his watch. "Tika wants us there by 9:00 a.m. We should probably get moving."
***
The Conservatory was extravagant and awe-inspiring. The last time they had visited, the friends used a side entrance to get to Clavis's office. This time, they were going to the main hall.
The cavernous space was so vast the Great Pyramid of Giza could have fit comfortably inside. Its perimeter boasted soaring arches and ornately carved columns, with masterful paintings and tapestries hung tastefully throughout. Statues and sculptures proudly stood on elevated pedestals at regular intervals. It was clearly a gallery of masterpieces, but the children recognized none of them, even from pictures. The space was uplifting in its spirituality, reminiscent of a cathedral. Instead, it was a temple of sound and music.
They crossed the intricate mosaic floor to an alcove with chairs and a lectern. Adora and Hamish were amongst the small crowd and joined them in the front row. Several people sitting nearby got up and moved, and there were whispers and glares from others. It was apparent that people had remembered who Angus's father was.
Tika, her hair now bright blue, circulated casually in the group and, right on time, stepped to the front and began her orientation.
"Hello, everyone," said Tika. She had a strong Eastern European accent. "Welcome to the Conservatory and welcome to New Instrument Orientation. As you can no doubt perceive, this building is vital to the city. It is what we call a meta instrument. When we play inside the Conservatory, the surfaces can dramatically reflect and alter the music’s feel in many modes. To explain further, I would like to introduce our acoustician and caretaker of the Conservatory, Ting."
Ting stepped forward, and they recognized her as the blind woman from the Caverns.
"Hello to you all," said Ting. "My job is to ensure your performances sound as good as possible. All the surfaces in this structure can change their sound absorption level at my command. I can make the space sound hard, as it does now, or as if you are in a room full of pillows."
She made an elaborate gesture that deadened the echoes, stilled the air, and made the vast space feel small.
"As with the sanctuaries," continued Ting, "I can make invisible dividers that stop sound from passing through, just as I have done now. We often hold multiple concerts in the Conservatory, and they do not interfere with each other at all. Does anyone have questions?"
Trevor raised his hand.
"Yes, in the front?"
Feeling silly, Trevor wondered how a blind person knew his hand was up.
"Is this place really alive?" Trevor asked.
“Oh yes. You, of all people, seem able to perceive whether an instrument is alive." She winked.
Trevor now knew for certain that Ting had sensed them in the Caverns.
She answered several more questions, then relinquished the floor to Tika.
"Thank you, Ting. As the Sage of Instruments, I assure you that once your Instrument finds you, you will know how to care for it. This involves learning its strengths and weaknesses, training, and forming a meaningful bond. Let's start with the basics."
A holographic screen flickered into brightness behind her. Tika pointed to the first bullet point, ‘Instrument Creation.’
"We create Instruments using a technique called Echoreverberation. This highly guarded secret uses the shape of a room, a particular dust-like substance, and encoded sonic information. These are all focused on a point in space to create a crystal. Once linked with a player, the crystal can be awakened and become an Instrument. These Instruments have dual manifestations: fully formed matter or a holographic, energy-based form. There is flexibility between the forms, depending on what the Instrument is called upon to do."
She pointed to the next bullet point, ‘Instrument Families.’
"As most of you know," continued Tika, "there are five Instrument families. These are Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, and Keyboards. Each family has a shrine associated with it. You can find these shrines around the Conservatory and identify them by their associated crystal color; red for Strings, green for Woodwinds, yellow for Brass, purple for Percussion, and blue for Keyboards."
"Shrines are like hospitals for instruments, so if yours is ever damaged, take it to the associated shrine as soon as possible."
A small girl named Emi stood and asked, "I heard that different families of instruments have different, um, powers. Is that true?"
"Well, yes and no," replied Tika. "You see, different families have inclinations to be stronger at certain powers, as you called them, but these are not rules. Strings are great at charms and controlling elements like water and air. On the other hand, Woodwinds tend to have strength with healing, growth, and creation. Brass instruments have been known to be powerful when partnered with Guardians and can generate formidable projectiles."
"What about drums?" interrupted a boy named Yoshi in the back row as he twirled drumsticks in his fingers.
"I was getting to them," said Tika with annoyance. "Percussion can break things, it’s great for mining, and can also energize other instruments to make them more powerful. Finally, Keyboards are good for communication and finding patterns in chaos."
"Now, that being said," continued Tika. "I must stress that these are not rules. I've known a Tuba that could put a screaming baby to sleep and a Flute that could flatten a building."
Tika gestured to ‘Instrument Selection.’
"Instruments select their player," she continued, "and not the other way around. Instruments cannot be bought or sold. Sometimes, the player may ask their Instrument if it would accept being gifted to another person. For example, a mother may hope to give her violin to her daughter, but the Instrument can refuse and often does. Instruments often choose to bond with people related to a former player. However, this is not always the case."
Emi threw her hand up again.
"Yes?" said Tika.
"Can an Instrument leave a person?" she asked.
"Good question! Instruments sometimes choose to leave a player. It can be for many reasons, but usually, it’s neglect or the player's personality changes too much. Most instruments like to be played regularly and enjoy learning new things. They’ll tell you what they want, so be sensitive and listen."
Trevor raised his hand.
"Yes," said Tika, "another question?"
"What about the spells? When will you teach us how to blow stuff up?"
The audience tittered.
"Spells, yes, of course, spells," said Tika. "You and your Instrument can learn new motifs, musical phrases similar to what fantasy novels call spells. Motifs can be performed in combinations and, when accompanied by other instruments, create more complex and powerful spells or pieces, as we call them. You will learn these new spells from your Instrument Masters. It will take a lot of practice and dedication to get them right. Any other questions?"
Tika scanned the audience for hands, saw none, and continued to her last bullet point, ‘History.’
"Instruments have a history. Because they far outlive people, most have had multiple players and already know many spells. One must be careful because while the instrument might know the spell, it’s up to the player to cast it with proficiency and safety. Another thing to watch out for is the imprints that former players have left on an Instrument. Don’t be surprised if you find a few pleasant impressions and some very dark ones."
"If something disturbing shows up, taking it to the appropriate shrine is crucial. Like I said before, if your Instrument is damaged or you feel something might be off, take it directly to the shrine as soon as possible. Instruments can go mute if you are too late."
Tika waved, and the holographic board dissolved.
"Can you raise your hand if an Instrument has found you?" About twenty out of the thirty people raised their hands. "For those who haven't, please don't worry. They will come to you in time. I didn't get my first Instrument until I was fourteen, and wouldn't you know, I got my second the next day. It happens when it happens."
"Once your Instrument has found you," Tika continued, "I recommend you find a Master for instruction. For uncommon Instruments, you might need to look a little harder. Your Mentor should be able to help with this. If you need more assistance, please let me know. Would anyone like to show us their Instrument?"
"Would you like to see Boomer?" Adora materialized her tuba.
"Ah, what a wonderful horn. It looks old and wise." said Tika, "Have you learned any of its tricks?"
"Sure have! It can lift heavy things," she blew a note that lifted Hamish in the air. His face went bright red, and Adora set him down and giggled. "See!"
Taken aback, Tika mused, “Hmm, is the same Boomer that lifted stones for the pyramids?” She shook her head, “No, no, it couldn’t be. It was lost years ago.”
“Can I show you my recorder?” little Emi called. “Please, please, please?”
“Yes, most certainly, my dear,” nodded Tika.
Emi produced a tenor recorder, raised it to her mouth, and played a simple tune. Faint grinding sounds began, and one of the nearby statues started moving. It left its pedestal and stiffly plodded over to stand beside the tiny girl.
“Tootles and I make pets from statues, "Emi proudly hopped up and down, clapping. “They can smash things really good.”
Tika had a slight look of panic on her face. “OK, that’s great, but these statues are ancient. Can you put it back where it was?”
Emi grudgingly played another tune, and the statue returned to its resting place.
“Meh, that’s nothing,” cut in Yoshi as he produced a giant timpani. “Thwak can smash lots of things all at once.” With that, he whacked the drum creating a basketball-like projectile that madly bounced around the room, its forceful impacts resonating with each hit. The audience scrambled to get out of its way.
Ting made motions with her hands, and the room's walls hardened, tilted, and deflected the projectile back into the drum. She then pulled out a flute, played Flight of the Bumblebee, and quickly repaired all the damage.
“Haven't figured out how to control it yet,” said Yoshi with a grin.
“And that,” said Tika sternly, “Is why you need to practice with a master.”
She scanned the crowd looking for more volunteers.
How about you, sir?" said Tika, pointing at Trevor. "You had your hand up earlier."
"I guess I could show you," said Trevor sheepishly as he brought out his bent bassoon.
"That's… um… an interesting instrument," Tika said sympathetically. "What's its name and yours?”
"Well, I’m Trevor. But it doesn't seem to have one. And it doesn't talk to me. I just see pictures in my head."
"Do you mind if I take a look?" asked Tika. He passed the Instrument over for examination. She scrutinized the bassoon and then slowly smiled. "This is an unnamed, brand-new Instrument. A perfect teachable moment! Trevor, I want you to clear your head and visualize your bassoon."
Trevor closed his eyes and tried to think of nothing but the Instrument.
"Now, say the first thing that comes to your mind. Make sure your head is clear. On the count of three. One…. two… three!"
"GRONK! I’m going to call it Gronk."
Several people laughed.
"Everyone, say hello to Gronk," said Tika. "Congratulations, Trevor. Very few get to name an instrument. It will learn to talk to you in time."
The group clapped and congratulated Trevor. He fairly glowed with pleasure.
Angus moped as the newcomers continued to present their Instruments. Veronica revealed Anastasia but didn’t play. Hamish enthusiastically performed with Click and Clack, creating a cloud of particles that zipped through the air.
Tika’s eyes eventually landed on Angus. “You, young lad, do you not have something to show the group?”
He shook his head, “No, an Instrument hasn’t found me yet.”
Tika’s brows lifted. “Concordia told me that Beethoven’s baton has found you,”
“Yeah, but that’s not an instrument,” said Angus, “It’s just a stick.”
Tika straightened, somewhat affronted. “That is not just a stick. It is one of the most powerful batons imaginable, and it found you. Not to be taken for granted, young man. You are destined for something; may you wield it well.”
Angus sat a little taller in his seat. He understood that he’d been praised, but for what, he didn’t know.
"Unless anyone has any other questions," said Tika. "I will send you off to explore this magnificent building. If your Instrument has found you, be sure to locate the appropriate shrine.
Emi raised her hand again.
"Yes," said Tika. "Another question?"
"Where's the washroom?"