His Own Salvation.

Sixth

London. Sarah.

It had already begun to dawn when the horses were back in their pits and eagerly incorporated the fresh hay. They stood peacefully. From outside you could hear the last cars that drove in the distance and here in the stable hooves scratched over the ground.

They put the saddle and bridle away together. Will went out, and Sarah and Tom followed him after a moment. Ever since they were back in the stable, Tom was smiling nonstop. Just as Sarah was about to go through the door, she felt his fingers holding her arm. Surprised, she turned around to him.

Tom shoved both hands into his pockets and looked into her eyes. The light blue of his reminded her of blue glass. Waiting, Sarah smiled at him and stroked a strand of blond hair behind her ear that already has fallen out of her plaited braid. "What up, Tom?"

"I just wanted to say that it was very nice with you today." He laughed nervously for a moment and Sarah noticed that a telltale blush spread on his cheeks. "I would like to repeat that."

"With Will?" Sarah said amused, raising an eyebrow.

Tom laughed louder and closed the buckles of his brown, robust combat jacket. While all agents had to be dressed in black during assignments and training, employees could choose between different color variations. "No," he shook his head, still smiling. "Alone with you."

Now also the cheeks of Sarah turned bright red and she coughed briefly. She did not know what to say to that, as she really only saw Tom as a good friend. So she decided on the first reply she could think of: "I think I might need a bit more instruction in a duel. You seem to be a very good teacher." She saw that there was a brief sense of disappointment in his face, but then he beamed at her.

"I'd love to."

Sarah nodded, smiling again, then she opened the door; causing both to slip through. Sarah insisted on taking a short walk instead of going inside to their rooms. She loved being outside in the evening.

Will stood a few feet off the side exit and stared up at the sky. As the blond haired man pulled the door noisily into the lock behind them, he turned around. He appeared wild in the darkness as ever; the disheveled hair, the sparkling eyes and the mischievous grin on the face, which sometimes looked like carved.

"Hurry. I thought the mice had eaten you." He looked up at the sky again, adding, "I suppose it's going to start snowing just about now."

Will was right, because shortly thereafter the first snowflakes fell on the floor of London. They were walking along the right side of the institute when they met Juliett.

The said looked pleased at the three and then lifted up one of the food crates that were delivered today.

"Ah, I caught you just in time. I could not find Oliver or Jack anywhere, so one of you would be kind enough to help me carry this stuff in." She smiled briefly at them, her pearl earrings glittering even in the dark.
Tom smiled at Juliett, jogged next to her and then jammed two boxes at the same time up. The young housekeeper gave him a thankful look, evidently hoping to find one of the boys out there - neither Juliett nor she or Diana were allowed out alone. Tom threw a quick look over his shoulder. "I'll help Juliett, you'll manage that without me?"

"Honorable, Tom." Will bowed and then waved with two fingers at the two, "I would help you, too, but I have to finish my walk." He looked significantly at Sarah, who was still saying goodbye and mumbling ‚see you tomorrow,, then she jogged quickly after Will, who had already started to go.

He waited until Juliett and Tom were out of earshot, then smiled slyly at Sarah. "And? Has he finally told you about his love for Margot?"

Sarah was forced to smile instantly, then pulled up a snooty expression.
"No. He just pointed out to me that I should not trip over the step when going out." She saw Will's corner of his mouth lift, then reached out his right arm and ran his fingers over the walls of the institute.