Milin Orphi Conquers the Rhythm and Vile

Excerpt from The Eight Crowns

Milin Orphi sat upon his throne of discord and magnificence. The Ithitar observed the monolith as he sat in thought for many moons, considering his next depravity. On the eighth day, he ended their anticipation with a simple request.
"Bring to me the sister of pride and promises."
The masses of Ithitar knelt as far as the horizon's end and followed his word. The sister of pride and promises, Vail Ikidas, was found in the far reaches of the realm, admiring a statue in her own design. Her spirit flared when she learned that Milin Orphi, the Ancient Ithitar and Revered patriarch requested her presence. Her compliance brought her before the throne of discord, though she dared not ask the purpose of her summon.
"Who is a child of Pride that does not speak?" he asked.
She apologized profusely for disrespecting him. The masses of Ithitar observed silently for what cruel punishment would follow, but Orphi would offer redemption instead.
"A creature of beautiful design holds an object which I most covet. An instrument carved by the hands of Naimor, son of Bailum, has been gifted to Silset, whose domain is love and compassion. Its Rhythm and sound unfurl into Laminarum. Its breeze carries seeds and calms the hearts of mortals. Above all else, it inspires. Recover this instrument of golden strings and you shall be more than forgiven. You shall be born again and made beautiful."
Vail wished to prove herself to Milin Orphi, though she questioned the beauty he offered. She had been considered the most beautiful of the Ithitar since her birth. What more could be offered? When Vail found Silset, the thoughts had not been eased. The trek was long and hard, wearing on her hair and skin so that she appeared a hag next to Silset. The god of love sat atop a mountain beyond the clouds and her music carried throughout the many valleys and fields. When she reached the mountain's peak, Silset stopped her song.
"What has brought you to my mountain, Ithitar?"
Vail muttered and lied, claiming she was not Ithitar, but a mortal. The lies could not fool Silset but did not dampen her mood. Silset offered a seat across from herself so the Ithitar could hear the end of the song. Its tones warmed the heart and restored Vail's beauty. Brought to tears from the music, she begged for the instrument. Silset was hesitant at the request but was enthused by the music's impact on the Ithitar.
"What need have you of an instrument so perfect, little one?"
While Vail had thought to bring the instrument to Orphi, she now had no more desire than to play its song. She explained everything that had happened and of Orphi's desire before falling to tears and apologizing for coming atop the mountain. When she began to leave, Silset played a special song. Vail felt love in her heart and let her pride melt away as she left but was confronted at the bottom once more. Silset came unto her and presented the instrument to Vail. Proud of the devil, she wished to gift the instrument, so long as it wasn't given to Milin Orphi. Vail complied, returning to her abode at the realm's far reaches and keeping the instrument hidden.
In due time, Orphi came looking for Vail. They met in the fields outside her home, Orphi's arms outstretched.
"Child of pride and promises, have you forsaken me?"
Vail said that she had not been able to retrieve the instrument, and Silset greedily coveted it. Orphi knew this to be false, as it was not in Silset's nature to covet. On Orphi's startling approach, Vail removed the instrument and began attempting to play a song from it. Unfortunately, for all her pride, she had little knowledge of how to create a compliant melody. Its sounds had no impact on Orphi as he pried it from her arms. He ran his hands down its strings and corrupted its Rhythm and melody. As he began to play the instrument, a vile song of discord bled into the far reaches of the realm. Day turned to night, the breeze became a hurricane, and all things good fell to its horrible cries. Vail, closest to the sound, was subjected to the worst of its effects. Orphi subjected her to its music until her skin poured away and her soul turned black and asynchronous with the realm around her. given her deception, he finished with a song of lies and revolution, mocking her. Vail's mind was filled with the final song's words. On that day, she became Inutherin.
Craving a semblance of her past beauty and pride, she begged for Orphi to play Silset's song. He told her that if she did his bidding and inspired the minds of men, he would play the song. Wherever revolution is followed by peace, it is believed that he has played the song for her. Centuries down the line, he continued to covet the instrument and plays his song "Rhythm and Vile" when Ohdaufehl fall.