After the concert in Jredvarha City, llhaesa played across the continent; first show after Jredvarha was at Kahxuyr University, a modern venue with far more seating then the first hall. In order, Xharhur, Ddenessa, Arrhazon, South Mpurah, and Khezmarah followed. The last show was scheduled to be held out of doors, in the park in Old City.

The park concert drew a diverse crowd; business professionals after their working hours, students from the various schools within the city, local residents, as well as those from outside the city who had heard talk of the young and rising performer. The crowd itself likely numbered somewhere around 30,000; the Nenseru Woods Concert would ultimately dwarf the park concert, but it was still an impressive crowd for a newly emerging solo artist after eight concert dates, though this would be her last scheduled performance for this tour.

Llhaesa was quite into the crowd; these were people who knew of her beliefs, knew of her message, and were sympathetic to the cause she held dear. And they were there to merge this with good music and a good show. To get in the rhythm of the crowd, instead of hanging out backstage, she quietly worked through the crowd, talking with concert goers about music, about their interests, about social issues.

She knew going in this would be an up tempo crowd, and llhaesa would play to their rowdiness, though there would be a bit of poignancy, well mixed, stirred into the emotional ride she would create as she moved through the programme.

People understood the hard work that went into being an accomplished musician; but few understood or were even aware of how much physical training llhaesa practiced. In point of fact, she was as serious about this element of her life as she was about perfecting her musical talents.

A natural athlete had she chosen this path, llhaesa found joy in movement, and tried to weave this into her performances. Not one for choreography, hers was a free flow style, moving where the music wished to take her in that particular moment.

Llhaesa was also unpredictable in what she might say, as well as when she might feel the need to speak – at least to the crowd. In fact, given that she was passionate on such issues, llhaesa tried to factor this element into the show where possible. On this day, her choice was to open by chatting with the crowd – and what she had to say was going to stun everyone within earshot.

She emerged from the crowd, climbing the stairs to the far right of the stage. Not everyone who saw her in the crowd understood who had just worked their way through. They did now. Moving to stage centre, she began:

“Two months ago, I played in Jredvarha City, at a time where working women, who make up the vast majority of hotel workers, were striving for improved pay and working conditions. There requests were rebuffed at every turn.

The government played a role in this, giving assurances to the businesses involved they would assist with costs if there were strikes by workers.

Just over four years ago, a disturbance occurred not far south of where we are today. The government brutally crushed those out and about on that day. They had been triggered by an unfortunate incident where women protesting exclusion in a local shop resorted to physical confrontation. The official response gave 3 dead. There were actually 134, 127 of which were women. The government silenced most media reports, other than those which gave a tepid description of the incident – made it sound like the women in the bar tried to steal food and drink – along with the official government accounting on those killed or injured. Brellian N’verinkar was responsible for the government forces that quelled the disturbance.

Three months ago, Lahsokra Zreltian lost his life through mysterious means…” a very audible and quite loud gasp arose from the crowd; for it was common belief the death of the Chief of Government had been a rogue wind. “I’ve learned from reputable sources that the government has taken weather modification technology in a more sinister direction. Unbeknownst to the crew, a military craft triggered the rogue wind, this through a device that removed significant energy from air, causing it to drop rapidly towards the mountainous area below. This… is what produced the rogue air current that killed Zreltian and those with him.

Now Zreltian was hardly an advocate of equality, but he was not really sinister in nature. Our new Chief of Government, Brellian N’verinkar is not to be trusted. I ask all of you: who stood to gain through this murder? Who has in fact gained through this tragedy?

I’ll leave you to ponder this information, to understand the implications, of where this could go. Thank you!”

Having just created news, government censors went into overdrive to keep llhaesa’s words off world media. llhaesa had in fact just earned her banning from government facilities, as well acquired a big target painted squarely on her back by none other than Brellian N’verinkar.

What she wished to say finished, llhaesa moved to music. Llhaesa played. Oh, how she played. Fingers as quick as a magician, physical moves worthy of a world class athlete. One a few songs, Llhaesa even played a six string acoustical guitar, before going electric for the final encore song of the concert.

Through most of the song, she played within the overall written framework, taking a back seat to the band. On this song, she had handed off vocals to a former classmate and fellow graduate, who performed under the name M’silra. As the song moved towards the last stanza, M’silra worked through the last lyrics, casually strolling off the stage. Simultaneously with his exit, llhaesa made use of the newly vacated space, reaching for a series of soaring high notes, sometimes flowing, sometimes jagged and broken. All the while she made full use of her athletic abilities, careening through near impossible spins, gymnastic flips done with one hand, and even one cartwheel, all of which she nailed flawlessly – while playing one handed where necessary.

The crowd – which by now was well aware of her antics at the N’rellia graduation ceremonies – absolutely went wild. She came up out of her final flip to strike the last note, and the roar of the crowd would have drowned out any music were she still playing.

Llhaesa bowed, mouthed a breathless thank you, waved to everyone, and left the stage, her last ounce of energy expended and left behind on the stage.

Government operatives, there watching their suspicious young charge, left with a recording of her speech. All three had no inkling of Zreltian’s murder, but were unsurprised by the revelation. Within a few days, the ban from government supported facilities and government supported educational institutions was formally delivered to the young artist.

In the back of her mind, llhaesa knew that sooner or later she would make an official shit list. It would not deter her efforts, instead would simply redirect how she went about activism and working for change.