After the inn closed that evening, Kela packed her clothes and most of her other items up. Mikhail, Nick, and Ady slipped into her room to bid her good-bye and wish her luck. When they left, Kela waited for awhile until she was certain her aunt and uncle were asleep. She then grabbed her pack and fiddle and harp case and left the inn. She stopped at the stable and transferred the coins to a money belt she tied around her waist and hidden under her clothes.

She then set off on her journey to Nolton. She had heard from a Free Bard that it was the best place to find music teachers and large enough for a musician to make a living, either as a busker or playing at an inn or pleasure house.

When morning arrived, Kela stopped by a stream to rest. She took out some bread and cheese from her pack and ate. Then she took her knife and cut her auburn hair short. If anyone asked, she would say that she was girl, but she felt it best if people saw her as a boy. She didn't look particularly feminine anyway, especially with short hair.

The journey lasted two weeks. Most of the time she found inns like the one back home and was able to play evening in exchange for food and lodging. She collected coins in her hat and used the money to pay for food for lunch or lodgings at a Church hostel when there were no inns.

Staying at the Church hostel taught her something. Father Preston was kind and true man of the Church, but apparently not everyone that was part of the Church was like that. Certainly the hostel wasn't making a profit the way an inn might, but as the novices did the work, the labor was essentially free. Also, the donations from the well-off travelers would certainly more than make up for any losses. Kela supposed that the money would go to helping the poor, but she had a feeling that the more unscruplous people in the Church pocketed most of it for their own purposes.

Kela finally arrived at Nolton. A man was at the gate and he noted down everyone that came in. When it was her turn, he asked, "Name?"

"Kelanthra Carver, from the village of Drandwood," she responded.

"Free, indentured, or Guild?"

"Free, sir."

"Profession?"

"Musician, not part of the Guild."

The guard made the note and continued, "Passing through or staying?"

"I'm planning to stay for awhile, sir." The man made another note, then handed her chit, informed her that she had three days to get a permit, and where she could and couldn't play. Kela nodded and went through.

After getting over her surprise of how big the city was and the differences to her old village, she decided to find a music teacher. She found a constable and asked him for directions. He drew her a crude map and circled four spots he knew of that had music teachers. He pointed to one and said, "I would go there first, since the teacher is more likely to be more affordable to you." Kela thanked him and went on her way.

After working out the map and maze of streets, she came to a neighborhood that was a bit shabby, but still fairly respectable. After examining the buildings, she found one with the sign "Alder Book and Instrument Shop". In the window was a sign that read, "Music Lessons."

When she entered, a bell tinkled. A pretty woman in her mid-thirties with brown hair done in a tidy bun and wearing a dark blue dress stepped out from behind the counter to greet her. "Good afternoon." She gave Kela a penetrating look, then said, "You're either here for music lessons or to sell something. What is your name, lass?"

Kela was slightly surprised that the woman had seen past her guise, but then again, a female would be the one that could most likely spot another female. "I'm Kelanthra Carver, Kela for short, mistress. I'm here to see about music lessons."

"Welcome, Kela," said the woman kindly. "I'm Mistress Emilia Alder. I help my husband run the shop. He's the one that gives music lessons, though. Come with me to the back room and we'll talk and arrange things, dear."

Kela hesitated, but Mistress Alder was nice and reminded her of her mother, so she nodded and followed to the back room.

Mistress Alder poured tea and tasked some questions. Kela told her entire story, beginning with her love of music and then her parents' deaths. She ended with how she had come to Nolton for proper lessons in hopes of attending the Trials.

Mistress Alder nodded. "I see. You do realize that you will have to masquerade as a boy if you wish to be in the Bardic Trials, Kela? Otherwise you won't be allowed to enter."

"I know," answered Kela. "I plan to take the first name of Kelan."

"All right then, dear. My husband is busy with a student right now, but he'll be done shortly. He'll listen to you play and we'll decide on a price for a year's lessons. Then we'll find a place for you. I happen to know a place where you can play in the evenings for room and board. I used to work there a number of years ago. I hope you won't find it objectionable, Kela."

That made Kela wonder if perhaps the place was in a pleasure house. If that was the case, then Mistress Alder had once been a lady of questionable virtue, to put it politely. Well, it did explain why she was so pretty.

Mistress Alder proceeded to explain taxes and tithes and why they were necessary. Kela nodded in understanding, though she wasn't too thrilled that she would have to pay four pence every day for her tax and tithe. Still, they served a necessary purpose, so long as the government and Church weren't corrupt.

After while, Master Alder came in and listened to Kela play two songs each on her harp and fiddle. He nodded and told her that she had talent. After that, a price was agreed on for lessons and most of the coins in her money belt was paid over.

"Now, let's take you to the place we know," said Mistress Alder. "The owner is a very nice lady, and a good friend of ours. If you find her place objectionable, fine, but we would like you to meet her and judge for yourself."

"This place is a pleasure house, then?" asked Kela. Master Alder nodded and she continued, "I have no objection to playing at a pleasure house. It simply depends on the pleasure house and madam as to whether I accept the place."

"All right, then," said Mistress Alder. "I worked there, under the name of 'Buttercup'. When I retired seven years ago, Corven asked me to marry him and I said yes. He frequented the place, but not as a client for the upstairs services, so I knew him and had grown to love him."

Kela was somewhat surprised by this. However, it was clear to her that Master and Mistress Alder were in love, so it would be natural that they'd marry, even though she had never really thought about a whore getting married. She gathered up her things as Master Alder closed the shop and then she followed to couple outside to Flower Street, which was the district where the pleasure houses were.