Larksong Grotto you will only hear these elegant crimes

Lily let out a ragged sigh of relief as her paws touched the bottom, after what seemed like ages of nerve-wracking descent. Ali's voice floated back to her, soft and gentle, but she only had ears for the songs of birds, numerous in the trees, all different and yet blending together in one sweet symphony. The shade made it much cooler here than on the plains, and it felt nice on her pelt, heated with exertion.

She sat down near the edge of the pool, looking at her reflection blinking back at her, picture perfect, owing to the stillness of the water. She grinned to see it, grinned further to find it mirrored back, and then looked at Alarian, wagging her tail. She, too, felt the solemnity of the place deserved no louder than whispers.

"It's beautiful here," Lily breathed, eyes glowing like the embers of a dying fire. She huffed a quiet burst of laughter. "It's a shame the journey down was so treacherous. Else I'd be here all the time." She looked back down at the water, staring at her face.

Her face. Freddie's face. Her father's face. And, as if conjured, heard their warm, kind voices in her ear, found their scents suddenly wrapped round her like an embrace.

"There is magic in this place," she said, suddenly choked, despite not believing in magic whatsoever.