Master and Mistress Alder went up to a three-story building. Unlike most of the other buildings in the street, there were no women crowded on balconies or by the windows. It was not noisy at all.

Kela followed the two inside and entered a large room. A large fireplace was set in one wall. Several males were seated at tables, playing card games and the like or eating snacks and drinking. By the stairs was a rather ordinary male with no distinguishing features of any sort. Next to him was a desk, where a lady sat. She was very pretty, and looked to be only a couple years older than Mistress Alder. Her dark hair was done up in an elegant knot and she wore a dark violet dress that looked modest in terms of neckline but actually showed off her curves.

When she spotted the three, she got up and glided over to them. "Emilia, Corven, how wonderful to see you." Her gaze then rested on Kel. "And who is this with you?"

"This is our new student, Kelanthra Carver, Kela for short," replied Mistress Emilia. "She already knows how to play harp and fiddle and only needs some proper lessons in things like voice and composing. So we thought that she might fit as the musician you were looking for, Violet."

"I see," said Lady Violet, a pleasant smile on her face. "Well, Kela, I am Violet, the madam of this house. If you would come with me to my office, we can discuss things. Emilia, Corven, please sit down and have some supper."

Kela followed Lady Violet to an office. She sat down. Lady Violet looked penetrating at her. "So you have no objection to working at a pleasure house, Kela?"

Kela shook her head. "As long as all I have to do is play music, Lady Violet."

"There is no worry over that, dear. It is understood here that only the ladies upstairs serve the customers in bed. Those that work in the common room are not bothered. Now, as to your duties here, you will be expected to play in the common room in the evening until midnight. In return, you will receive a room and breakfast and dinner. Does that suit you?"

"Yes, Lady Violet."

Lady Violet beamed. "Good. Now, why don't you have your dinner now and then make tonight your tryout? If you suit us, then you have the place. If not, then you can have the room for the night and tomorrow morning we'll see you on your way."

Kela left her pack and instruments in the office, as it was probably the safest place for them. She was taken to the table Mistress Emilia and Master Corven were and enjoyed a delicious dinner of bread, chicken, and vegetables. After that, she got her harp and asked Lady Violet where to play.

"I think by the fireplace would be best. If you get thirsty, notify one of the servers and they'll bring you some cider. Oh, and please do not play any dance tunes or heart-rending laments, unless a customer requests it. Any other songs will be fine."

Kela nodded and took her place. After tuning her harp, she began playing, mostly love songs. She had never played them before except to practice and for the wedding between the son of the baker and the daughter of one of the farmers. It was an interesting experience. After awhile, she lost herself in her music. When perhaps an hour had passed, she opened her eyes and saw that the Alders had left. The man by the stairs was taking a customer up the stairs. One of the two serving girls, a pretty redhead, glided over with a mug of cider. Kela exchanged smiles with her.

"I'm Sarah," whispered the girl. "Your music is lovely."

"Thank you," answered Kela. "My name is Kela. Is there any song that you want me to play, Sarah?"

Sarah looked surprised, then grateful. "Do you know the song 'Home, Home, Home'?"

"Yes. I'll be happy to play it for you." Sarah grinned and then returned to her work.

Kela drank some cider and then played Sarah's request. That song, along with "Fiddler Girl", had been Ady's favorite. It looked as if Sarah had some things in common with Ady. Kela hoped that she could stay and get to know Sarah better. The other girl seemed like she would be a good friend.

At a second break, the other serving girl came over to refill Kela's mug. "I'm Destria."

"I'm Kela."

"I know, Sarah told me. Anyway, I think your playing is wonderful. You're very talented, Kela."

"Thank you, Destria. I'd be happy to play a song for you."

"Oh, would you?" asked Destria, looking grateful. "Could you play 'Ratcatcher'? That's one of my favorites."

"Sure," replied Kela. Destria smiled and then went back to work. Kela resumed playing. Destria had also appeared to be a nice person and could make a good friend.

When the midnight bell rung, Lady Violet came over. "That's enough, dear. I won't need your services past midnight. By the way, you have a place here, Kela. You were very good."

Kela blinked in surprise. "I have the place, Lady Violet?"

Lady Violet smiled. "Of course you do. Now come with me so I can show you to your room." They went up to the third floor and stopped at the second door on the left. "This is your room, Kela. Marrin, my door guard, has already brought your pack up. The washing room is at the end of the hall, if you wish to bathe. Come downstairs tomorrow morning for breakfast and I'll introduce you to the others, dear. Good night."

Kela went inside the room. There was a narrow bed, a washstand, a table with chair, a small closet for clothes, a tiny stove, and a chest with extra sheets, quilts, and pillows in it. The walls were whitewashed and there was one window looking out to the back, which showed a small tree and the back of the house on the street behind Flower Street.

Kela unpacked, then went to the washroom to bathe. There were two tubs, one large enough to soak in, the other somewhat smaller. Partitioned off was the indoor privy. There was also a copper full of hot water and several buckets of cold water. She filled the smaller tub and bathed. After that, she changed into her shift and went to bed.

Kela woke up almost two hours after dawn. After washing up, using the privy, and getting dressed in her only set of clean clothes, she went downstairs. Lady Violet, Marrin, Destria, Sarah, the serving boy, and five ladies were eating their breakfast in the common room.

Lady Violet nodded for Kela to sit and Sarah got her a bowl of porridge, a slice of bread and cheese, and a mug of milk. The serving boy introduced himself as Jaden.

After Kela had finished her breakfast, the five ladies introduced themselves. The first was Rose, who had curly black hair, emerald green eyes, and wore a simple red dress. Next were a pair of twin sisters, Lily and Lilac. They had gray eyes and their russet hair was long, past their knees. Lily wore a white dress and Lilac wore a lilac one. Fourth was Magnolia, who wasn't human at all, but was of a different race of beings. Kela managed not to show any surprise, but couldn't help wondering what race Magnolia was. All she knew was that Magnolia wasn't a Mintak or a Haspur.

Last was Bluebell, who had waist-length golden hair, sapphire blue eyes, and a perfect roseleaf complexion. She wore a blue dress and with Rose, they were the most beautiful of the ladies. The five ladies were very sweet and charming and asked Kela how she had come to Nolton. She told them her story.

Lily and Lilac exchanged looks. "We came from a village in the country too," said Lilac. "You do know about the tax and tithe?"

Kela nodded and Lily said, "Lilac and I didn't when we came to Nolton, Kela. Well, if you're unable to pay when the authorities catch you, you become indentured. Someone buys your bond and you work for him or her until the debt is paid off. Lady Violet bought our bonds. We paid off it off after several months, but since we liked it here, we stayed."

"Why do you all have the names of flowers?" Kela inquired.

"The ladies who work here all have to take a flower name when they start," explained Lady Violet. "When they retire, they can shed the flower persona and go back to being their original self, with their birth name. I was Dahlia when I first started here, and then when I became Madam, took the name Violet. When I retire as Madam and Rose takes over, she'll become Violet."

Kela nodded and after a few minutes, excused herself. Lady Violet asked her to acquire some more suitable clothes to wear when playing in the common room. Kela said she would and then went to get her instruments. She set off to pay her tax and tithe, purchase a busking permit, and find a place to busk.