"My home suits you little bird. Maybe you'll come to appreciate it more as time goes." Alex looked at her as they walked. She might well be right.

He started in response but his words caught in his throat as someone came up to approach them. It was a younger male, who came bounding up in a yellow tunic with a mirthful look on his face waving erratically at Gilly as she walked with Alex. The boy running towards them wasn't the issue that caught Alex off guard. It was that his legs were like a goat. Black fur ran from the boy’s stomach all the way down to cloven feet. He was cheery and spirited in his callouts; they slowed as his expression changed from one of pure delight to confusion then mild concern at the appearance of Alex standing next to the woman.

"Gilly! Lady Gilly! I've got news! But first, who is the human? I didn’t think you the type to take a servant Lady."

Alex couldn't speak and his mind made a bad attempt to piece together what he was seeing. His jaw clenched as he stopped mid-step looking to Gilly in response as she looked to him. "Not like you, as I said little bird. You'll have answers soon I promise." She turned her attention to the young satyr boy as he stopped before her. "Cornelius, slow down..." It was then that Alex noticed the small ears atop the boys head and saw them flatten out over small nubs of horns, as if ashamed for a moment.

"I'm sorry Lady; I didn't mean no harm to him. What do you feed a human anyway?" Alex was gathering his wits slowly and he shook his head slightly.

"I'm Alex, I eat, what I’d assume was the same as you... Cornelius was it?" Alex spoke for himself and turned to look at Gilly for a moment catching a somewhat grateful look from her.

"Now, Cornelius, forgive us but we have business, Alex here is my charge, not my servant. You know I don't take servants. Run along and when we are free I’ll introduce Alex to you and the other boys. But for now hurry along this is important that we make it on time."

"Yes Lady, I wanted to tell you the Knight Captain was looking for you, said you needed to check in with him when you had a chance. Seemed like something ruffled his feathers might hard."

Gilly frowned at that, and for reasons unknown to Alex he found himself upset at seeing her bothered. She nodded to Cornelius and pressed a coin into his hand. "You haven't seen me yet ok? We must be going. I'll be by later, buy all the other boys food with that." She turned to Alex as they walked on, beyond earshot of the boy. "Thank you, I was worried you'd lost your tongue there."

Alex smiled in response. "I'll admit that I was worried I did as well. You did certainly warn me. So now I need to know, where the hell am I? What the hell is going on? Lastly what the hell did I just see?" There was a clear tone of borderline panic going on in Alex's voice as everything was settling in.

All Gilly could do was to put her hand reassuringly on Alex's shoulder, her warm smile seemed to even his mind out slightly. "I promise you Alex, You will learn shortly, I beg of you to be patient. We are almost there. Don't worry, I wont let anything happen, just stay with me and we'll get you all the answers you need." Alex took a few deep breaths calming himself further. He could only really nod in response and followed along trying his best to maintain a bit of calm.

They made their way to the doors of the cathedral; Gilly leaned to Alex whispering to him. "Remember what I told you Alex, floor, no words." She grabbed his hand and led him inside the massive building, Alex’s eyes turned to the stone mason work floors. He resisted the urge to look up and around at his surroundings but felt figures milling around him. No voices in the air but what felt like whispers on the wind. He fought the urge to look every time he felt it come on he felt Gilly squeeze his hand reassuringly. He wanted nothing more than to turn and run from this place. The earlier feelings of peace all but gone and now replaced with absolute confusion.

Alex wanted to leave it behind him he felt a wetness come to his eyes and at that moment he realized he was actually terrified of what would meet his gaze if he disobeyed what he was told. For what felt like an eternity they walked, up a small set of stairs and around what seemed to be an altar. The stiff creak of a heavy door, whispers were more prevalent now, outright demanding that Alex look up at them. He refused and pushed along with Gilly. They walked up along another set of stairs; Gilly’s hand never leaving Alex's always reassuring him of her presence.

At the top of the stairs they found themselves in a small open room, the whispers faded and Gilly's hand pulled free of Alex, he felt her hands on his chin and lifted his head up. In the room they were in sat a solitary door, it was white with the emblem of a crow emblazoned on its surface.

"Now, little bird, gather your courage. The Queen awaits and its time you spoke with her. I will be here until I am called. Remember your place and be respectful, it will be easier after this.... I promise you." Gilly said with a measured tone of reverence.

He nodded to her reaching up and brushing the tears from his eyes. He was terrified, confused, and well out of his element. He took a deep breath and in his mind the only thing that could form in his mind was the feelings he felt before going into battle during the war. His whole body shook, his mind ran in chaos. He was horrified for what might await him, but resolved in that he had no other options. He moved to the door and placed his hand on it.