And Sonata left Aria Nel and the three Lequera dragon princesses to help govern and keep the order of Ecchr, and the people of Aria Nel, created with human, jewel and fox songs, and woven by Ar Maen, under the conductress Sonata, the Hymmnoi were established to sing of the dream of Sonata and the White City, and to keep the histories and songs alive and playing. And the Hymmnoi were divided into seven houses, Aria, Ciela, Elysia, Tenoi, Presia, Partih, and Sarla. But at this time it was Aria which under Aria Nel was the most valued, but peace prevailed in joined harmony.
So it was that Sonata could be not worried by the events of this place, and with the gentle rains and glorious rainbows, the fertile and lush valley rejoiced in song as she left with Renard, chief of foxes.
And for a time Sonata put on the fox robes, and ran as a fox with Renard, for foxes were quick, and could travel easily over difficult lands.
And south of Gozan, the mountains began to disappear, and there were grasslands and forests, lakes and jungles. And here there were many tribes that had not been named or ordered. Of these villages, they often began to pray to the fox goddess, who traveled through and brought with her the rain. But they did not sing songs of [Ar Maen], or share the vision of Sonata at this time. At her request, Renard sent fox messengers to live among them and encourage their fox ways.
Sonata could feel her brothers spark to the west, near to her. It was surely Llassar, but difficult to see. Sonata's memory was of her lazy and relaxed brother, a calm feeling. But now there was this, and more. Like a sunshine day and gentle, swaying plants. The smell of rich corn, and fiery golden sun smells on delicious skin. And Sonata rejoiced of this feeling, to scatter the smell of fresh food with the intoxicating smell of rain. She desired to see him, but her twin Fayruz was south, and many of her family seemed gathered there. Surely too, Llassar would go that way, or perhaps meet in another verse.
The lands grew cloudy, and barren, and became canyon and dry sand. And this is where the fox princess became again a moon princess, and looked down into the great canyon. Overhead the black clouded sky cried out, and Sonata felt the loud voice's song make her hair dance in the wind. The wind loudly cried, and Renard, the chief of foxes struggled to stand.
"Lady Sonata, this plan of yours
is truly cunning!
But the den of wolves,
is no place
for a fox!"
He said to the wind and to the goddess.
Sonata smiled and responded.
"I do not think
wolves and foxes
and moon princesses
are so different!
I now can hear this song!
The song of wolf, and
the song of desire,
the song of promise!
Look!
Can't the running gray wolf clouds
be seen?
Can your fox ears hear how
the sky threatens and boasts,
how the white moon was veiled
and now it veils the red moon?
I do not think even a wolf
of lightning did not once bow fealty
to my father!"
And Renard laughed, but the thunder cried louder.The small silver words of the fox were difficult to hear.
"My lady has the
crown of the rainbow, taken from dragons,
fealty of humans, fed of rain,
loyalty of foxes, treated like family,
will you wear the wolf coat now?"
And Sonata laughed, but didn't answer her cunning fox's question. She began to climb down into the canyon, even though the wind pushed her this way and that way. She climbed down and sang a song of a gentle spring wind. And slowly the wind calmed itself for listening to her. And Sonata came to the center of the canyon, and looked up at the dark wolf clouds. And she sang a song to taunt the wolf to show itself.
"I have heard
there is a wolf, who boasts
that he can walk the sky-paths freely!
I have heard
there is a wolf, who boasts
that he is faster than any in the world!
I have heard
there is a wolf, who boasts
that his fur is more prickly than any sword!
I have heard
about a certain wolf,
but wondered if it was true!
And the wolf cried and descended, the lightning bolt of blue and gold. And thunder echoed his cry the next stanza. And the wolf ran down form the cloud, to stand in front of Sonata.
I am the wolf named Lightning!
I have said many things
and laughed many nights
for there are none who can match me!
Look! The Red Moon cannot shine!
In this canyon, food dares to challenge me?
To make slander is evil!
It is said that beauty is evil too!
From an evil mouth comes evil words!
But Sonata came to meet the lightning wolf, and gentle song words came as she touched his nose. With a loving and calming song, Sonata sang.
"It is said that there is a wolf
who is proud and true to his word,
but who can know the desires of a princess?
And who can know the desires of a lightning wolf?
Oh, Lightning Wolf!
If beauty is evil,
why are you so beautiful?
If to say evil words means there is an evil mouth,
why is your mouth so good?
If to make slander is evil,
surely it means to make praise is good?
If it is true, then are not my words just and honorable?
And the Lightning Wolf made a noise of confusion, that howled like lightning. And he rolled about on the ground with sparking and sparkling, and deeply thought of these questions.
But Sonata with her smile came to him.
Oh, Lightning Wolf!
truly you are a magnificent lord,
to see your domain has inspired me.
But with truth, I will tell you my desire,
if you will tell me yours!
I desire you,
Oh, Lightning Wolf!
Together we will be swift and beautiful!
Together we will sing songs of sky,
with rainbow and lightning!
Together we will run,
in wolf storm clouds and canyons,
and in valleys and deserts!
I can show you the world,
Dearest Lightning Wolf!
If you do not trust of me,
then let us race around this canyon,
and I will show you how swift I am!
And the Lightning Wolf howled in laughter, for he was inspired by the words.
And greedily he ate this song of praise. And as he danced to this song, he did not see Sonata tie the sash of the rainbow she wore around his neck with gentle caress.
Let us race!
If I win, then you will sing for me forever,
those words of praise of my glory!
No child of disk or moon
is faster than me!
And Sonata agreed with a smile and laugh like the rain and chime.
It is agreed!
If I win, then you will run for me forever,
and I will ride you in praise of my story!
It will be remembered by every child,
that Sonata tamed the Lightning Wolf!
And so it began, with the thunder's cry, that the Lightning Wolf began to run. It was 80 times around the canyon, faster and faster, until he leaped into the sky here and there, howling as he went.
The greed and excitement of the Lightning Wolf blinded him, as Sonata held onto the rainbow sash around the wolf!
And Renard watched and cried his laughter and sang a small song that all foxes and children of Ecchr remember.
Be careful that
if riding your wolf greed, to not become blind!
Because if your greed blinds you as the wolf,
then you will be ridden by it!
To the end of the canyon, to the finish line, the Lightning Wolf danced. And from his back, Sonata held her laughter and joy, until the end. There, she reached her hand forward to pass the nose of the wolf, and so to finish first!
And she jumped down and let out a song to the sky.
"Oh, thunder and black clouds, friends of the lightning wolf!
Oh, Renard, the hidden fox chief!
Oh, trees and rocks of the canyon!
It can be seen who finishes first! And it can be seen who wears the harness of a rainbow!"
And the clouds and thunder cried in agreement with the trees and rocks, and Renard's silver voice. And the lightning wolf was embarrassed and shamed, and knelt before Sonata, as the rain began to fall to celebrate her victory.
But Sonata hugged the sparking and sparkling lightning wolf and comforted him, and sang praise to his speed and beautiful blue and golden lightning coat.
And so she won his loyalty and heart, and agreed to carry her proudly.
And Renard came to Sonata laughing and said.
Truly you have surpassed me!
I will sing of this day forever!
Even the skies and rocks listen to your songs!
But a little fox voice is lost in the choir!
And Sonata laughed and hugged Renard.
"Don't think I will fall
for all of these praising words !
You know I made them!
And Renard bowed as the lightning wolf laughed.
"Truly my lady, there is nothing more I can teach you!" Sonata smiled and looked to the southwest, as she rested her hand on the lightning wolf's head.
"I'm coming, Fayruz, dearest sister!" She whispered.