Once they had made their way to the top of the stairs, Aeronwyn signalled to Bron to wait. Someone was in the office. She could see a slight light penetrating the door and put her hear to the crack to see if she could hear anything. She heard muffled voices.
"So you sensed no deception, then?" the first muffled voice asked.
"No. She admitted meeting you, recalled it was a chance meeting in the City of the Spires and that it was only once. I asked if she knew Aeronwyn but she seemed confused by the question."
"And her position with Lord Barik?" the first voice asked.
"Tutor. No more. They met in the south somewhere. When I asked specifics, she told me it was near the inn that Barik was staying at. I suspect she may have been seeking employment."
"I see. Very well. I remain suspicious but no call for the Examination yet. Keep an eye on who she associates with and report back in a week. You may go."
Aeronwyn smiled as she realized Keri had passed a very difficult test. Aeronwyn waited until the light had gone from the room then gave it a sixty count before moving the bookcase. She had put the mage light out as soon as she realized someone was in the office. Now she created a new one, as tiny as the first and used it to navigate to the door. She and Bron made their way back to the kitchen and worked until the night was done, then made their way out separately when the other servants began leaving.
Taking care to use two different routes and double back a number of times until they were certain they were not followed, they met back at the inn where they had been staying. It was early but they still got a number of odd looks when other patrons saw them head upstairs. Once inside their room they swiftly changed without modesty and removed the grime from their faces and hands.
"The geas?" Bron asked.
"Gone. We have the book. We need to leave." Aeronwyn said.
They dressed for travel and went downstairs to eat. As soon as they had breakfasted, they left the inn and headed towards Barik's estate. Once they neared the estate Aeronwyn looked around and saw a street urchin nearby. "Boy, want to make a silver?" The boy nodded, his eyes wide. He had never seen more than a few coppers and a silver would be great wealth to him.
"Take a message to that house over there. Ask for Lady Keri. When she comes, just say, "It is time to go." Do that, return here and I will give you a silver. Do you understand?" He looked skeptical but what did he have to lose?
He delivered the message and was pleasantly surprised to receive payment in full. Bron and Aeronwyn left and began to make their way to the stables on the west of the city where their horses were. They would wait a half day or so for Keri to show up before they would be concerned. Keeping as careful as two fully armed travellers in the royal city could, they walked casually until they reached the city gates, with the stable beyond.
They had finished saddling the horses and inspecting their gear when Keri arrived. She was dressed as she had been at the mansion so Aeronwyn took some travelling clothes from her kit and pointed to the stable. "Find a place. Be quick." she said to Keri.
They rode out of the city together just as the sun had reached the highest point in the sky. Behind them, a lone figure dressed in the black of the Examiners took one last look then ran back into the city as fast as he could. None of them took note of the distant man but rode at a casual pace until the city gates were far away.
