Siren's Song V (updated)

There was a soft tapping at her door. Throwing a soft teal morning cloak around her shoulders she went to the door. “Yes, “ Siren said to its closed position.1

“Captain Ravenlocke to see you miss.” Came a muffled voice. 2

Siren’s eyes darted around nervously. Putting her hand to her bare throat she replied, “tell him I’ll be with him in a moment.”3

“Yes miss.”4

She put her ear to the door to listen to the fading footsteps. Muttering to Angel she quickly washed and dressed. “Do you know anything about this?”5

Angel looked up from washing her paws, yawned and nodded her head.6

Siren blinked her eyes. “Did you just nod you head?”7

Again Angel nodded. “Yes.”8

Siren sank slowly to the bed. Outside the birds sang sweetly as the streets filled with people heading for their trades. Sunshine filled the tiny room, but it was ignored by her. Siren stared at Angel. “Why have you not spoken to me before? Why now? Why not last night when I needed someone to talk to?”9

“You have not needed me to before. And last night you were too distraught to hear me.”10

Siren swallowed loudly and stood on shaky legs. “I still don’t understand.”11

“Maybe you should go down and talk to the Captain. See what he has to say.”12

Shaking her head she looked at the door. “You said you knew why he is here.” Angel nodded her head. “Tell me what you know.”13

Angel only looked at Siren before leaping out the window. She raced to the sill. “Angel.” She yelled, “come back here.” People walking outside her window looked up at her. She ducked back in the window and crossed the room. “Rotten, stubborn cat.”14

Siren went down the stairs to the main dining room of the Havenskeep Inn. Her head still reeling from Angel’s confession. Why had her cat not spoken before? Why now of all times? She wondered. She observed Ravenlocke drinking a cup a Rainleave Tea around a small scarred but will washed table near the back of the common room. Gathering her courage she went to join him. Siren stopped at the polish cherrywood counter to pick up her cup of Rainleave Tea.15

“My dear lady Siren, so glad you could join me this fine morning.” He stood and greeted her with a pleasant smile. Taking her outstretched hand he lead her to a bench.16

Siren smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. “Dear Captain, what is it that brings you to my place of residence?” 17

“I had heard what had happened here last night. And was concerned for your safety. Any idea what they were after?” 18

She shook her head “I am quite safe here.”19

“I only has a few short moments to spare and I thought I would stop in to say goodbye.” He took a seat across from her among the deserted room. Behind the counter the owner polished the surface avoiding the pair sitting. 20

“To say goodbye? Are you leaving for some place?” Sadness filled her heart.21

“I’m afraid something has come up that I can not dismiss. This is something that could threaten the whole land.” Crispin said solemnly.22

“Oh.” She glanced her eyes down to her cup.23

“I am sorry but I won’t be able to see you sing tonight.” He reached across the table to grasp her hand. Siren slid her hand from the cup to take his. “I need you to know that watching you sing has given me great pleasure and I will remember it when I am out on this mission.”24

“You talk as if you won’t be coming back at all.” Alarm flooded through her. “That can’t be so, can it?”25

He looked her in the eye and sighed deeply, “I will hope that I do return… to you.”26

She lowered her voice so that the owner could not hear, “What is it that you must do?”27

Crispin shook his head sadly, “You know I can not tell you that.” She started to argue but he cut her off, “Please.”28

“This may sound strange but Angel told me she knew what this was about.” Disbelief mirrored in his eyes. “But she took off before she would tell me anymore.”29

He leaned back and laughed, “so that was Angel I saw at the meeting last night. I had almost forgotten she was there. Snuck right through Waynew’s legs. Sneaky little tabby. Angel can talk?”30

She shook her head this time, “Not talk really. I could hear what she was thinking, I guess.”31

“How long has she been talking to you?” he asked.32

“She only started this morning. I had no idea she had this ability.” Siren answered. Getting back to the matter at hand. “When will you leave?”33

He looked down at his cup, “when the sun sets.”34

“Oh.” Siren looked across the room and out the window. She watched the people pass by unconcerned by the problems faced by the leader and his advisors. Some had baskets full of flowers and others were filled with bread. A vender selling sweetmeats called out from across the lane. A normal day for them. First her faithful pet decides to talk to her and now the man she was beginning to care for was leaving. “How long will you be gone?”35

Still he did not look at her, “I don’t know. Hopefully not long.”
“It is dangerous, this mission your going on.” She said it as a statement of fact not a question.36

“Yes, I’m afraid it is.”37

She stood up, “Here,” she handed him a white linen handkerchief embroidered with a small “S” in one corner and a mermaid sitting on a rock on another, “Please take this as a token of my affection. Well then, good luck Captain.” She left him standing watching from behind. Tears blurred her vision as she climbed the stairs.