Silence, the void before the sound, It hangs between the watchers, as they stare into the fire, burning in the center, casting light in a myriad of shadows. And all is still. Before them lie their instruments nine, stringed and bowed, drums and fiddles. They lift them to their sides as one, and all relax as their hands caress their singing lovers. A breath, drawn deep; released into the stillness of the night, and the music sounds, as a cord too strained the tension snaps, and the music soars on singing wings, waves of light, of light and shadow, born on a wind of deepest passion, out into the thrumming night, resonating with their song. And so the music sounds, as the night awakes and joins in their song.