"Oh, rest assured she's in no danger. I saw her yesterday morning at the assembly. Gave her my business card."

Leah leans in. "It sounds like you know where she is."

"Certainly. But that information isn't free. What do you say to that interview?"

Damn it, the trail is cold and getting colder by the minute, but this woman wants to detain her even longer. She could accept and be late, late, late, or else push and give away that she's in a hurry. 

Ms. Baker answers to none but her readers, but anyone could be listening here. Best not to give away the depth of her interest. 

"Fair enough," she says. "We can take a few minutes."

"Thank you! When did you begin training to become a knight? How did you know that you wanted to be one?"

It's not a hardball interview. Ms. Baker is playing nice. 

Eventually...

Ms. Baker smiles, jotting down her last handful of notes. "Thank you for your time. The last time I saw Ms. Quill, she was being escorted away by Countess Roscente. No doubt she is still with her."

"Countess Roscente?"

Who in Villarosa is Countess Roscente? 

"You don't know her? She's a petty noble. Merchant stock. I interview her occasionally on economic matters. Blonde hair, about five foot three."

"I can't say she rings a bell. What's your opinion of her?"

"She seems honest enough, for a noble. Never really answers my questions directly, but she keeps accepting interviews anyway. I think she just likes to hear herself talk."

Of course. Probably a minor patsy of the liberal faction.

"There are certainly plenty of those in the court. Thank you for your time, Ms. Baker."

"Likewise."

One small trip to ask a maidservant which room is Countess Roscente's later...

Leah brings her knuckles down on the door in three sharp knocks.

"Countess Roscente?"

Sure enough, a blonde-haired woman comes to answer the door.

"What is it?" she asks mildly.

"I'm looking for Ms. Quill," she says. "I'm concerned for her safety."

"Rest assured, she's safe with me." Countess Roscente smiles softly.

"She hasn't attended any of her classes, nor has she shown up to breakfast. May I see her?"

Aria shakes her head. "I'm afraid you'll have to take my word for it. She's busy with independent study at the moment."

She is a knight sworn to defend the safety of the realm's subjects, and this countess is being deliberately obstructionate... but if she forces her way in she'll likely ruin any chance of her making a good impression on Corvina. 

"I would consider it a favour to have a chance to speak to her and ascertain that she is healthy and not being kept against her will."

Countess Roscente purses her lips. "Very well, you may enter for long enough to ascertain that."

She steps back from the door.

Corvina is sitting in an overstuffed armchair with a bounty of sweets and leatherbound books in front of her, making fairylights with one hand. 

She looks over as Leah steps in, and stands hastily to curtsey. "I, um... Milady?"

Leah steps into the room and waves a hand. "It's 'dame', I'm not a lady. Leah Brachia."

She extends one hand to shake.

Corvina smiles. "Dame, huh? So you're a lady knight! How romantic." She smiles and shakes Leah's hand, her gaze flicking down along Leah's body involuntarily.