I head downstairs sometime later to take a quick bucket bath in the ground floor washroom, aware that Artemian and Lirika—or the carriage they send for us—should arrive shortly. I bring along my satchel; with the painted ward by my side, I feel no apprehension in removing my story sash while I scrub myself. I inspect it carefully when I’m done, noting the frayed lines of embroidery that I found earlier. At least they don’t seem any more worn than they did before. I’ll just have to keep the wooden plaque with me as much as possible for now.
I dress quickly, wrapping the sash about my waist beneath Bren’s tunic and adding his sash over the top. Then I make my way back to the room. The day is winding down, the sun slowly sinking in the sky. I set my satchel down and look out the window at th
