deep into that darkness peering

The raven man's head shot up at the knock on the door. Only crumbs remained on his plate, and a slow, heady sense of well-being had begun to settle into his bones. The disruption set nerves on edge all over again, and he watched with unreadable expression how the lady - Maeve, apparently - got to her feet. Her offer and welcome to linger was met with a curt nod, only silence following in her wake as she left. Mingled regret and relief haunted the man as he looked around - alone now in an empty room, where the echoes of music and relaxation drifted to the ground. Dust mites and dreams, now, no more. By the time Maeve returned, she would find the room empty and the window open. A single black feather teetered on the window sill, about to be blown out into the rain. The lute was gone - as was the rest of the food in the room. - FIN K O R B I N It's a lie for a lie and I'm getting tired An old lullabye, drifting through the sky