Once the mourning period for King Sonilus and Queen Melodia had ended after 40 days, the king's daughter Kulambria was crowned as Queen of Nolava, and it was determined that a chief bard must be named. This was the Queen's first command: that they would gather the twelve bards who contributed to the ballad of King Sonilus and Queen Melodia, and that one of them would be named chief of all bards. Upon the advice of her brother, Sebius, Queen Kulambria suggested that a contest of sorts would be held to determine who would become chief of bards.
The Council of the Twelve Bards agreed unanimously that the Queen's suggestion was wise, and sprang from love. They then determined that the contest would consist of all participants performing a song in the river valley nearest the Godess Melodia's shrine; for there was a proverb in the ancient books of the bards that went thus:
He whose song reaches the eagles is esteemed better than his mass in gold
Each of the twelve participants would perform their song, and whichever song would bring an eagle into their presence would be the song of the bard who was to become chief. When the day came that the twelve bards would gather for this contest, all the kingdom of Nolava was present; from suckling to the aged--and not a single soul that lived was not present. The bards brought all manner of instruments: some stringed, some percussive, some hollow, and some brought even electronic instruments (which were uncommon in this age). And yet one of the bards, both the youngest and the fairest of the twelve, brought not a single instrument. His name was Sonitrus, who was soon to become Sonitrus "The Golden."
It is written in the books of the bards that Sonitrus was blessed by Melodia herself while yet a suckling; and there is no question the gods smiled upon him from his youth. Sonitrus was well-known throughout the borders of Nolava: admired amongst maidens for his fair appearance, kind heart, and gentle steps; and derided by men who were not bards for the very same. Sonitrus would perform his song seventh, after the first six had failed to attract an eagle with their performances. As he entered the arena to perform, he was greeted with cat-calls and jests from his fellow bards--but it was all in loving jest, and well-recieved by Sonitrus--knowing that his brothers loved him and in their hearts they wished him well. And indeed they did. As the immense crowd fell into a hush, Sonitrus raised his arms into the heavens, closed his eyes, and offered a silent prayer to the gods within his heart. He then exhaled one single note, and held it for many seconds. The silence of the audience was silenced even more,and still Sonitrus held his single note. This note changed in timbre and varied in its amplitude, but remained constant, and Sonitrus never took a breath. After several seconds passed, all heads turned east, as an eagle was spotted approaching the arena, then six others after it. The eagles circled the young bard as he held his note, then all descended and rested in the trees that surrounded him. Many that were in attendance wept, as they understood a new age had entered into their kingdom, and not one voice was heard but the single note of Sonitrus.
When Sonitrus had completed his note, the eagles remained perched high in the trees around him. They looked upon him, it seemed, with an admiration the likes of which is not found among men. The other eleven bards, so moved by this event, gathered together quickly and announced that the contest had concluded, and that Sonitrus "The Golden" was now chief among bards. The greatest cheers ever heard in Nolava erupted after this announcement, and moments later, Queen Kalumbria herself entered the arena and blessed Sonitrus. The Queen smiled at him lovingly as he knelt before her and wept, being so overcome with the events that had just transpired. Queen Kalumbria herself then announced to all that were in attendance that Sonitrus The Golden was now chief among bards, and that truly a new era of love and prosperity had graced their kingdom. The subjects of Nolava erupted in joyous applause once more, and never again was such a day known in that kingdom or any other.