They were offered seats but chose to stand,
Each musician stopped playing, setting their instruments down,
Each singer cleared their throats and revealed their weapons for all to see,
Placing each up against a wall,
Rick made haste to the northern window overlooking the bailey,
Common folk scurried through musical rifts easily punctured,
Sharin taught him to watch life's song through gifted eyes,
Only he could see fate unfolding as past decisions morphed into consequences,
Though one could hedge themselves against wasteful inaction, unforseen frailties,
Could always manifest to dash well laid plans, he'd wanted to be a natural archer,
But his hands failed him in this request, sickness had run down to his four extremities,
Hopeful medicine did naught to save him, that is when song stepped in.
She said she refused to allow him to die so young, useless and dispirited,
So she inscribed dual songs of ability where there was none, taught him to carry a tune in his head.
Intense mental training allowed his mind to move deadened flesh,
Nerves that could no longer receive organic messages could now move themselves,
Legs and feet could travel across terrain while his hands could grasp once more,
The hands of a girl he fancied, her innocence and priorities pulled away from him,
Carol I'll break you free if I have to do so with my death...
Should Rick test desire against conscience, he could pinpoint their core melodies,
And bring about their silence.