I waited patiently for them all to enter. Once they were all there, I went about getting my music ready. I took just enough extra time for them all to be curious, then I set it aside.
I smiled at them, "Hello children, have any of you ever had any music lessons?" Sand and Delwin rolled there eyes and began to whisper to each other.
Random immediately perked up, "I have! I had a drum set back at school. I used to play it all the time." He snickered, "It used to really tick off the other guys at the house."
I chuckled softly, "I'm sure it did. You are definently an energetic child. What about you Flora? I'm sure a pretty girl like yourself has had a few music lessons." I walked over and put my hand on her shoulder, ignoring Sand's mocking smirk.
Flora blushed and hid her face and mummbled, "Piano ............ and dance."
I brightened, "Excellant, then you are much further along then the others." I shot a glance at Sand and Delwin. "I guess I'll have to work on catching them up with you two. I'll have to see if I can make time for a remedial music class."
Sand stalked over, a scornfull sneer on her face, "Please, as if there is anything SHE can do that I can't do better."
I simply gave her an indifferent shrug and gave Flora and Random smiles of encouragement.
That day there lessons began. I taught them about art and literature from the Golden Circle realms as well as extensive training in dance and music.
Throughout the lessons, it became obvious that Flora and Random where far more talented with music then the twins and Flora outshone them all on the dance floor. The martial training that the others had been giving them had toned there bodies and the music and dance lessons had given them timing and grace. Though they tried not to show it, I know it irked the twins to play second fiddle to Flora in anything, but they never could outdo her. I spent a lot of time with Flora playing duets, walking in the woods and along the coast, writing poems and talking about music. She was an excellant student and a pleasure to be around. I even taught her some of the basics of the sleepsong. I knew it would be frowned upon, but her voice was beautiful and it only seemed fitting. Together we would practice on the beach out in shadow, giving rise to many of the myths and legends of the sirens as our songs echoed accross the water.
Finally after an especially grueling dance lesson, Sand threw down her towel in frustration and blurted, "I don't see why we have to learn this anyway, the others teach us stuff we can USE, this is all crap. Useless and boring."
I shook my head and hopped up onto the piano, "I had hoped you would have the foresight to understand why you need to learn these things." I began to pace back and forth, "We are the ruling family of a grand empire. We will deal with the other realms constantly. In order to best deal with them, we must understand there history and culture. To control and command something, you must comprehend it."
Delwin brightened, "And to destroy it or conquer it, you must understand its weaknesses. Like the holy days of the Dannau, they won't fight. They would be easy to defeat." I cringed, but nodded. "But why the dance?" he asked. "What can we learn from that?"
I smiled, "We learn grace and balance from dance. As well as strength and flexability. All of these are essential to combat. What is swordmanship but a beautiful, if deadly, dance? Always remember grace, balance, and control. If you can master those, the rest is simply ......" I leaped from the piano and executed an intricate ballet manouver, gracefully extricated a wooden sword from the wall and smoothly transitioned into an advanced kata, "another dance step."