The most Intriguing Sound.

The singers and musicians had already vacated the little corner they had been provided, and taking it was a short and stocky woman, whose features and clothes I could not place, along with her White male partner. A respectful quiet fell upon the pub, and I surmised that these two must be of some local renown. The instrument the man was playing was a long necked guitar type thing, but with only two strings, and he began a low sort of thrumming sound with his bow upon them. And then the woman began to sing.

I was entranced. I did not understand the words if there were any, but what was coming from within her sounded almost Ethereal. High whistling notes, like a wind through a ravine, that suddenly dropped to the low graveling of stone, and then back up again. Sometimes, I thought I could hear both at once! And the sheer strength of it! I looked over at her partner, to see if he was assisting with his own voice, but his mouth was shut tight, his face a look of pure focus upon his instrument. All around, the pub patrons watched and listened to her hypnotic song, in a sort of silent reverence or appreciation of her skill.

Once their performance was over, the pub clapped and cheered for them. Taking her partner's hand, they both stood and bowed, and took their leave of the corner. Turning to Samuel, I attempted to speak to him, but found myself incapable of proper speech. "How-how did she do that?"

He chuckled at me. "Easier to ask them yourself." Holding his hand high in the air, he beckoned them over.

"Ah, Samuel!" The male said, taking his forearm into his and shaking it, while his partner sipped at a drink. "It's been some time. How are you, friend?"

"Good Dusa, I've been good," he replied, before motioning towards me. "May I introduce Mr. Devon McKay? Mr. Gottlieb's invited guest to Madsin."

"So you are this Mr. McKay we've heard about!" Mr. Dusa said, taking my arm in the same way he did Samuel's. "Dusa Baranov, and this is my wife, Erhi. You will have to give her a moment. Her throat is a little sore."

"And who's to say it won't be sore later tonight for a completely different reason, eh?" Samuel mused, with that easy smile of his.

Mr. Dusa laughed while his wife Erhi punched Samuel in the arm. "Don't go spreading rumors about me while I'm in the room, Samuel."

"It's only a rumor if it isn't true, Erhi," he smiled. That earned him another punch.

Deciding to rescue him from himself, I interjected and spoke to the pair, asking them how she was able to create such a curious sound.