Getting back to the castle was surprisingly easy, and no one stopped the two girls as they traversed the main city street and slipped back in through the front gate. After changing out of the servant’s uniforms, Lyria simply walked to the guest laundry, where her dress was waiting, and she changed a second time in the wardrobing room. Then she opened the door that would take her into the basement, crept down, and waltzed right in. The room was darker than in the morning, the candles starting to burn down and two of the fires extinguished.
“Hello,” said Wera, who turned at the sound of the opening door. “I see you found your dress, I hope it is suitably clean.”
“Yes, thank you,” Lyria said, “you’ve done a great job. It looks brand new!”
“I have The Gift,” replied Wera, blushing. “But so
