Page 36 of The Searching Songbird

Lily hummed a happy tune beneath her breath as she moved about her new room, unpacking the last few items from her trunk. It was a delightful room, really, far nicer than anything she could have hoped for or expected. A large bed with a carved mahogany frame and a downy soft mattress stood in the center, with its headboard pressed back against the wall. A matching nightstand and a dark pink, blown glass oil lamp sat beside it, ready for any late night reading she may wish to do. A large, mahogany wardrobe stood proudly against the opposite wall, providing ample room for the modest collection of clothing she'd brought with her.

But that wasn't the best part. The best part was the second-floor window overlooking the street. A bit noisy at times, perhaps, but it provided a magnificent view of the city. The tavern itself was situated on the northern end of Flores, where the city sloped upward as it approached the northern hills. An angle which provided Lily with an unobstructed view of the sea during the day, and a beautiful display of city lights after dark.

Not to mention, it would make her late night scouting missions with Suzu far easier than if she had to slip outside. Why, she could simply open her window and let the bird loose. She wouldn't even need to put on shoes.

Hanging her last dress in the wardrobe, she let out a sigh of contentment and stepped back toward the bed, allowing herself to fall backward onto the blue, quilted coverlet.

We're really going to do this, aren't we, Suzu?

“This being...?”

Finding Fia. I have to admit, I was having my doubts before, both in Eldour and on the ship. But, now we're here, and everything is falling into place. And I'm certain this is the place. Everything I've seen so far lines up with the images Artemis provided.

“It does seem to be a match. Of course, we still need to locate the mansion...”

And we will. Tonight.

“Flores is a vast city, Shendri, and not everyone lives within the city limits. There are many large estates to be found outside. It will take time to cover that much ground, even airborne as I am.”

And I have yet to sustain you for more than thirty minutes. If only I weren't so weak...

Nonsense. Even the warrior princess, Josselyn, has difficulty sustaining her hellcat's presence for long spans of time. The Shendri were meant to work together. Separated, your powers are simply limited. Besides, not everything is about physical strength.”

You're right, I know. I just wish I was stronger. Then, maybe, I wouldn't have to drag poor Draven into this whole messed-up situation.

“Ah, but then you wouldn't have an excuse to continue seeing him.”

Lily spluttered, the words tumbling out her lips, despite the fact their conversation had been entirely internal just prior. “Wha- why, I... I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about.”

“Oh?”

Damn celestial beast and its ability to hear her thoughts. Of course, Suzu would know just how much Lily wanted to see her mysterious new friend again. She couldn't help it. He intrigued her.

She was saved from responding by a soft knock on the door. Sitting up, she smoothed her hands over her wrinkled skirts before calling out, “Come in.”

Millie, one of the Calloway's bar maids, poked her head into the room. “Mrs. C sent me up to fetch ye, miss. Said to tell ye there's a Mr. Grant askin' for ye downstairs in the tap room.”

Draven! Lily fought back the smile that threatened to take over her face. “Thank you, Millie. I'll be right down.”

The young maid hovered in the doorway. “Is the gentleman a friend of yers, miss?” Twin spots of pink colored the girl's cheeks as she watched Lily hastily run a brush through her loose, blonde locks.

“A friendly acquaintance would probably be more accurate, given the short time we've known each other. We met aboard the Star Drifter on the way here. Why do you ask?”

“Oh, no reason, really.” At this point the girl's entire face was bright red. She ducked her head as she fiddled with the string of her apron. “He's awfully good-lookin'. I was just wonderin' if he was a suitor of yers or somethin'.”

All of this blushing and stammering was about Draven? It was true she found him rather appealing in a rough, man-of-mystery kind of way, but she'd hardly thought much of him at first sight. He was more the type to grow on you with time, not reduce poor bar maids to blushing schoolgirls.

“He's not my suitor.” Her lips thinned into a line as the girl's eyes lit up. “Officially, that is,” she amended.

The girl's face dropped. “Ah, that figures. All the handsome ones are taken.” She made to head down the stairs, then paused, her face perking up in sudden remembrance. “'Cept Baron Dunlop, that is, and he's as handsome as they come.” She glanced around the hallway before lowering her voice and whispering, “Not to mention obscenely rich. They say he's as rich as the king himself.” She gave Lily a conspiratorial wink. “Ye can keep yer handsome Mr. Grant, so long as ye leave the baron for the rest of us girls to dream about.”

Lily gave the girl a bemused smile. “I can't say as I've met any barons, yet, but I'll keep that in mind if I do.”

“Jest ye wait. Ye'll meet him soon enough. Baron Dunlop's family practically built Flores, and his continued generosity is one of the reasons our city has flourished like it has. Everyone adores the baron.”

By the sound of the girl's dreamy sigh, it was clear at least how the women of Flores saw the man. The maid gave Lily one last grin before heading off down the hallway, hips swaying from side to side as she hummed a discordant tune.

A rich baron, huh? The type to own a luxurious mansion, perhaps?