“If music is to continue, in the presence of the dead, I play next.”
The man glanced up quickly.
“That can’t be.”
“It must be,” said Maskull decisively. “I prefer playing to listening. Another reason is that you will have every night, but I have only tonight.”
Earthrid clenched and unclenched his fist, and began to turn pale. “With your recklessness, you are likely to kill us both. Irontick belongs to me, and until you have learned how to play, you would only break the instrument.”
“Well, then, I will break it; but I am going to try.”
The musician jumped to his feet and confronted him. “Do you intend to take it from me by violence?”
“Keep calm! You will have the same choice that you offered us. I shall give you time to go away somewhere.”
“How will that serve me, if you spoil my lake? You don’t understand what you are doing.”
“Go, or stay!” responded Maskull. “I give you till the water gets smooth again. After that, I begin playing.”