After a brief conversation with the manager, which saw him first receiving the promised bonus and then returning it with interest to pay for lunch, Micky hustled out of the tavern and looked around for Tanya. Much to his irritation she was leaning casually up against one of the pillars holding up the royal mile sign.

“Took you long enough, don’t you know it’s rude to keep a lady waiting” she said pushing off the pillar with one foot.

“Look lady, so far I’ve had two impromptu performances, a meeting with a ball of snakes, and I got stuck with the bill” Mickey snapped at Tanya, “I’ve had just about enough of today.”

The relaxed expression on her face barely moved an inch “hey, we're getting you your class aren’t we? And I found you a job. You should be thanking me singer boy” she said, the grin creeping back into its familiar place.

“and I’m very appreciative of that” Micky replied, his hands raised in a placating gesture, “but isn’t that kind of your job? All I’m saying is maybe we could be working together a bit more, rather than all these surprises?”

“I mean, we could” offered Tanya, her voice rising slightly at the end of the sentence,”but that seems a lot less fun to me”. She took a step towards Micky, before clapping him on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s go find you a place to live.”

Walking with Tanya through the markets of the business district reminded Micky of walking lengthwise through a kaleidoscope. Spears of light bounced off weapons and armor in a dazzling array of shapes and sizes, while scents from half a hundred different dishes swirled through the air. Skewers of meat sizzled over charcoal on open grill while the vendors hawked their wares.

“This place is insane” said Micky, his eyes flicking from stall to stall, “how do people find anything in all of this?” Micky’s arms spread wide to encompass some of the chaos around swirling around them.

“This is a quiet day, wait till one of the delver caravans is in town, then you’ll see some chaos’ said Tanya, slipping gracefully to the side to avoid a porter charging through.

“This feels like more than enough” said Micky, having to raise to voice over the din, where exactly are we going anyway?”

“You’re taking the job with Xenophon right? So we need to find you a boarding house. There’s no point renting you a house at the moment since you’ll be spending most of your time training or in the field with your team” said Tanya, slipping back and allowing Micky to follow in her slipstream as she navigated a particular windy passage between two stalls.

“Huh, that’s actually surprisingly thoughtful, thanks” Micky responded before being shoulder checked by a passing troll. Despite being nearly flattened Micky continued to follow Tanya through the congested walkway, popping out of the covered market area onto a broad thoroughfare.

“We’re going to check Ma Duke’s first, she’s normally got a few spaces available. It's cheap, but its clean” Tanya said before continuing on.

Ma Duke’s turned out to be a charming enough little townhouse, three stories of slightly faded brownstone tucked in between a tailors workshop and what looked a like a carriage yard. A fence enclosed the front yard, the whitewash faded and flaking from the sun.

Tanya paused before the small swinging gate, tapping her foot impatiently for Micky to catch up. “Right, so here’s the deal” she started as Micky reached her, “we’re right on the border of Cheapside and the business district which is why this place is affordable but Miss Duke, don’t call her Ma unless she offers, doesn’t take any nonsense. Try to be on your best behaviour ok?”

“Wait, your warning me to behave?” Asked Micky plavnitatively, “does this mean there won’t be any more surprises waiting for me inside?”

“Not if you mind your manners” replied Tanya, gliding down the small dirt path which led to the door.

Micky trailed after Tanya through the gate, nearly colliding with her as she abruptly stopped. The door to the brownstone was a painted red and unlike the whitewash this coating had been meticulously maintained. A small brass lion door knocker was fixed a little above shoulder height, which Tanya lightly reached for then sounded twice. The sharp clattered seemed to echo in the small front yard.

The door swung open without a sound revealing a tiny older woman with close cropped graying hair and kitchen towel tucked into the front of her apron.

“Ah Tanya, how good to see you again, and you’ve brought a friend. Come in, come in. Would you like a cup of tea?” the woman said in kindly tones, gesturing into the house.

“Actually Ma, he’s a prospective tenant, brand new arrival to Outremer” replied Tanya, her tones matching the older woman.

“Oh how splendid. That’s so kind of you to think of me and bring him here. But please, there’s no need to discuss this on the doorstep like you’ve come to sell me something. Lets’ go into the kitchen.” Ma Duke gestured with a weathered hand and then turned to walk into the house.

The kitchen of Ma Duke’s home was filled with the smell of dried herbs, which hung in hand wrapped bundles from hooks along one wall. The smells of rosemary and sage were thick in the air and the whole place gave off an almost physical sensation of homeliness.

“Please, come and join me at the table” Ma Duke said, settling herself slowly into one of the thickly padded chairs while gesturing to the two seats opposite her. “Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself.”

Settling into the chair Micky looked into the encouraging face of Ma Duke, noting the far less enthused expression on Tanya’s face. “Honestly, I’m not sure what there is to tell Miss Duke” he started.

“Don’t you Miss me young man, please call me Ma, everyone else does” the smiling woman interrupted.

“Ma it is then” Micky continued, “like I said, there isn’t that much to tell. Back in my ‘verse I worked as a research assistant at a university, and I sang in my spare time. Blaes and Tanya from the TRC are helping me get settled here in Outremer. I’m trying to become a Bard, I don’t really know much beyond that. It’s all kind of carried me away” he finished with almost a sob. Once Micky started talking the words tumbled out of him.

Ma Duke reached across the oaken table, placing a comforting hand on his. “A Bard is it me boy. Well there is always space for a teller of tales at my table. Sometimes music says the things that we can’t expression on our own. Why don’t you play something for us. Something which reminds you of home.”

Nodding slowly and pushing back his chair Micky unsung the Vaixell and laid it gently across his lap. Sliding one hand up the neck his fingers began to pick out a slow, sad melody. His voice shook with the first verse.

Heel ya ho, boys, let her go, boys

Heave her head round, to the weather

Heel ya ho, boys, let her go, boys

Sailing homeward to Mingulay

Wives are waiting, by the pierhead

Gazing seaward from the heather

Heave ahead round, and we'll anchor

Ere the sun sets on Mingulay

The last chords seemed to hang in the air of Ma Duke’s kitchen. Micky could feel the tears rolling slowly down his cheeks.

“Here now boy, I hope you know some happier songs as well. It’s not all bad here and now” Ma Duke said quietly to Micky before turning to face Tanya, “It’s a good thing you’ve done here my girl. I think young Micky is just where he belongs.”

Tanya smiled and for the first time it seemed to reach all the way up to her eyes. “Thanks Ma, I knew he’d fit in here” she replied.

“Now, Micky. Lodgings and food are 1 gold a month or ten if you pay for the year in advance, but I suspect Tanya will tell you that’s unnecessary. We eat breakfast and dinner right here at my table. 8am and 6pm sharp. I’ve three other lodgers, two are newer arrivals like yourself, although I don’t think any of them are from your ‘verse, and I expect you to treat them with the same respect you would give me. How does that sound to you?”