"The only people that know about this tunnel are the guards and the baron's family. The door can only be unlocked from the inside so they usually don't bother with an extensive patrol at its entrance… Ryiah, once you unlock this door you need to use something to jam it. Try a piece of cloth or something similar to keep the latch from catching. Do not cast. You can't expel any of your magic or have anyone notice you are not who you seem to be."
I left the room after I had successfully jammed the door with a bit of leftover candle wax from the lady's nightstand. To the untrained eye it would be easy to miss the slight line in the otherwise untouched wall and its secret door behind. It was what we were counting on.
I found my way to the balcony and then pushed my way past two guards, the ladies-in-waiting and their mistress. I feigned interest in lighting a torch overlooking the edge of the railing. It wasn't dark yet and to anyone else it would appear I was preparing for night to fall.
In truth I was lighting the signal fire to the others below.
"Miss, miss, what are you doing? The lady does not light that unless her husband is returning!" A lady-in-waiting quickly doused the flame I had just cultivated.
Panic reached out and gripped my throat like an invisible hand. The fire had only lasted for a minute. What if the others missed it? Flint had never told us that the torch was ceremonial. Mira was counting on me. They all were.
"Surely the lady does not wish to eat in the dark?" I asked with a simpering smile, trying not to grate my teeth.
The maid gave me an odd look. "She won't – her meal is almost done. She and the little lady Tamora are always done before dark."
"L-lady Tamora?" And then I saw the small child at the lady's right – a fistful of black curls like the mother, with wide, innocent blue eyes. She could not be more than five years of age.
My stomach clenched. Lady Sybil had a daughter.
"What did you say your name was?" The maid's stare had changed from annoyance to suspicion.
I swallowed as I realized too late my mistake. Even a new maid would know if her lady had children.
A series of shouts and the clamor of a sudden panic below stole the maid's attention away. She and the others rushed to the railing to see what had caused the commotion below. I pretended to do the same while silently thanking the gods that Darren had noticed my signal.
Below, on the southern edge of the city's farmland was a huge, hungry fire eating away at the local crop field and its adjoining pasture with frightening speed. The prince had done well in such a short amount of time.
Men and women were running with buckets of water, guards were searching the crowds, and there, dressed in a heavy peasant's costume, was the non-heir. Slinking along the shadows as the city erupted in chaos.
"Your ladyship – you and the child must get back to your rooms immediately!" The maid who had questioned me was busy dragging the baroness to her feet while the guards secured the railing behind us.
"They will be fearful of an attack. Their first move will be to get the lady to safety. You must find a way to remain in her presence at all costs."
Most of the ladies-in-waiting had already run to their quarters, but two guards stood waiting for the baroness and her child. I would never be able to join them unnoticed. Not with the suspicious maid watching my every move.
I needed to do something.
Pretending to busy myself with the lady's belongings, I cast out my magic. At once the maid's mouth and nose were covered in a thick rag, sealing her airways.
Thirty seconds. That was all I needed.
The maid let out a muffled cry, clawing at the object on her face. The guards and lady started to turn - I coughed loudly, bringing their attention back around to me. The child was too busy clutching her mother's skirts to notice.
Sixteen. Seventeen.
The maid stomped her feet loudly and I pretended to fall to cover the sound.
Twenty-two. Twenty-three.
"Miss, are you okay?"
I stared up at the guards and shook my head, pretending to be frazzled.
One of the guards smiled. "No need to worry miss, we are very apt at sensing danger."
Are you now? I let the casting disappear and then scrambled to my feet as the maid fell to the floor, unconscious. "Please, sirs," I cried, "the maid has fainted. She needs a healer!"
The two men glanced at one another and I made myself shrill. "You must take her! I can escort Lady Sybil to her chambers!" The maid was young and pretty. I hoped one of them had a soft spot for the girl, enough to leave their baroness' side.
"It's okay, Red, you can take Mila – Tamora and I will be fine." Lady Sybil's voice was calm and authoritative. I felt a wave of guilt. Her sympathy for her servants would ultimately lead to her demise.
At his lady's command, the guard with short, straw-colored hair rushed forward to take the unconscious girl from my arms and hurry down the corridor. The other guard remained and followed Lady Sybil and I down the winding hall to her chambers.