Above the much more utilitarian basement levels, the castle’s corridors where more elaborate. Grey-white marble covered the floors, with pink marble columns continuing down the much wider thoroughfares. As they emerged from the staircase, a group of fraught bureaucrats in flowing black robes scuttled past, their ink-stained hands clutching rolls of parchment and quills. Several of them yelped in surprise and sprinted down the corridor as Antauros’ bulk emerged from the inconspicuous staircase. The cries of fear and shock from the rapidly retreating bureaucrats drew the attention of a small squad of Imperial Guard standing watch over a doorway further down. After a few seconds of staring confusedly at the strange party that had appeared before them, they advanced on Torben, Gwilym and Antau
