<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/ibtnZLu.jpg)<br/><br/>(http://i.imgur.com/Uz8dADg.jpg)</div><br/>Miyuki writes a bit of a short note to sil and satisfied that she is well prepared, leaves the shared apartment.  She considers that the garment she just cleaned and washed might make a good impression on those she goes to visit, but then decides that her decision to leave it behind was the correct one for now.  After all, the last time Madam Saari had seen her she had been wearing it.  It might be better served to show that she had other outfits, might it not?  Finding a young boy willing to deliver a letter for a few copper coins is easy, and just to ensure it's delivery, Miyuki pays the boy a silver coin instead.  He seems quite pleased and the coin vanishes into a pocket a moment before the boy takes off at a sprint, letter clutched in hand.  The energy of youth is amazing as the boy weaves in and out of the morning crowds, moving at a speed that Miyuki could not hope to keep up with for long, even if she were so inclined.<br/><br/>It is not hard to find her way to the compound of House Saari.  Literally every defender she asks shows the same reaction, mild surprise at first followed by a quick guidance.  Up hill, to the wealthier parts of the city, up up up, always up.  Past the mage's academy, past the wealthier section, to some of the largest plots she'd seen in the city, each behind their own high walls and locked gates, attended by liveried guardsmen wearing what she assumes are house colors.  Finally she reaches House Saari, and finds the crest of the house carved into massive oak gates.  Out side stand two men at attention bearing the house's colors and seal.  To them she introduces herself and presents the note.  One knocks a pattern on the door and it cracks open enough for a person to pass inside comfortably.  Miyuki steps inside and feels a strange sense of vertigo, disorientation, and then immediately something she hasn't felt in days since being fished out of the sea.  Miyuki feels a little bit chilly.  The air is perfectly comfortable, but compared to the warm air of Laelith, a normal temperature immediately feels strange to her.  A loud slam startles her and she looks behind her to see the massive wooden doors standing in thin air, surrounded by nothing, not even the wall that she knows should be there.  All around are rolling green fields and idyllic forests.  She turns forwards to see the guardsman grinning,<strong>"It's only an illusion,"</strong>he explains.  Then pointing at the edge of the doors he says,<strong>"See the shimmer there, that's where the illusion starts.  You're still in Laelith, don't worry.  But the lord and lady like their appearances."</strong><br/><br/>Miyuki looks and sure enough can see the way the light bends right at the edge of the massive wooden doors that she'd just come through.  She also sees two other guards standing inconspicuously at the edge of the gate, where the shimmer starts.  It's almost hard to see them unless she looks at them out of the corner of her eyes, and she realizes that this too is probably on purpose.  The guard that is leading her gestures,<strong>"Come now, Steward Algers is likely in his office."</strong>She turns and follows him down a small path to a rather picturesque looking house.  Miyuki can't help but think it's not the biggest home she'd ever seen, but given how space seems to be at a premium in Laelith, it might be one of the most expensive structures she'd seen outside of the temple and the academy so far.  The guard leads her to a side door, not the grand entrance way and escorts her in through a kitchen bustling with activity, what appears to be two chefs are lazily ordering about a handful of other servants as they prepare something wonderful smelling.<br/><br/>Finally she is led to a small office and escorted inside.  There an older looking half elf in stately, and rather heavy looking, dress stands to greet her as the guard announces,<strong> "This woman bears a letter saying you sent for her sir?"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Yes, fine, you may return to your post Ontain."</strong>he says in a precise and clipped tone.  The office door closes behind the guard as he nods and leaves.  The half elf turns and looks at Miyuki,<strong>"You are the bard?  The one who preformed at the seven hells the other night?"</strong>Miyuki nods as she looks around the sparsely decorated office, done in deep brown woods and green upholstered furniture.<strong>"Two of our guardsmen were in attendance that night and spoke very highly of you the next day.  I am hoping you'd be interested in a job, assuming of course, you're willing to meet certain requirements and a modicum of skill.  Tell me of your training miss....."</strong>He trails off looking at her very critically.