shelf
in an obscure corner of one of the side rooms. The letter had clearly been there, unopened, for some years. The instructions it contained were most specific, and a little worrying. She had the
distinct feeling that by following them she had made trouble for the man in the library, but what was she to do? The letter was clear: if it were found she had not complied with the instructions,
she would lose her job. She loved working in the library. It was the most rewarding job she had ever done. She did not know what sort of trouble she had made for the young man, but she feared the
worst.
Femke knew that it would be impossible to lose a competent tail on horseback in the city without setting off at a gallop through the streets. A galloping horse would create so
much noise it would leave a trail of witnesses that even the least skilled of trackers could follow.
It was irritating, but she knew she had to change her plan. Thoughts of a bath and a hot meal would have to wait a little longer. If she were to lose a shadow, particularly one with any skill,
then she would have to dispense with her horse. She thought hard for a moment. Deception and caution would be the key. If there were someone following her – someone sent by the Guild –
then whatever she did would have to be slick if she were to shake him.
It took a few seconds, but she formulated a new plan. There was an inn not two streets away that would serve her initial purpose. The prickling sensation on the back of her neck had not gone
away. She felt sure now that someone was creeping along behind her. It was not that she heard or saw anything to confirm it, but more like a sixth sense – a certainty that someone was
watching. It was not a comfortable feeling. If the watcher had a distance weapon like a crossbow, or even a throwing knife, she would make an easy target. The temptation to kick her weary horse
into a gallop was strong, but she suppressed it. Keeping her horse at a steady, plodding pace, Femke forced herself to stay calm and show no outward sign of her unease.
Every step seemed to take forever. In reality it was a mere handful of minutes later when she guided her mount around the final corner and up to the inn. The stable boy was quick to take the
reins and help her out of the saddle. She thanked him for his swift attention and gave him a few coppers.
‘Do you know if there are any spare rooms tonight?’ she asked as she handed him his tip.
‘Yes, my Lady. Plenty.’
‘That’s good. Thank you.’ She set off towards the main door, but turned just before she reached it. ‘Would you mind bringing my saddlebags inside, please?’ she
called.
‘No problem, my Lady. I’ll just settle her into a stable and I’ll be right with you.’
Femke took the opportunity to surreptitiously scan the street as she turned back to the front door. She saw nothing, but then she did not expect to. A skilled operative would never be seen so
easily.
She went inside. The taproom was all but empty. Those who were there looked to be the sort of regulars who wore grooves in the furniture. They all appeared so at home, they could have been a
part of the decor. The proprietor took one look at her clothing and a broad smile crossed his face. In an unconscious gesture, he swept his few remaining hairs across the top of his head as if
trying to conceal his almost complete baldness.
‘Come in, my Lady. Take a seat. What can I get you? You look as if you have travelled some distance today,’ he said, bustling up to her and making a great fuss of taking her hand and
leading her to a nearby table.
‘Actually I was wondering if it would be possible to take a room for the night,’ she replied, sitting down gracefully into a chair. ‘It has been a long day.’
‘Of course, my Lady! No problem at all. Just you wait there a moment and I’ll go and see which rooms we have available. I’ll be right with you. Did you want me to bring you
something while
in an obscure corner of one of the side rooms. The letter had clearly been there, unopened, for some years. The instructions it contained were most specific, and a little worrying. She had the
distinct feeling that by following them she had made trouble for the man in the library, but what was she to do? The letter was clear: if it were found she had not complied with the instructions,
she would lose her job. She loved working in the library. It was the most rewarding job she had ever done. She did not know what sort of trouble she had made for the young man, but she feared the
worst.
Femke knew that it would be impossible to lose a competent tail on horseback in the city without setting off at a gallop through the streets. A galloping horse would create so
much noise it would leave a trail of witnesses that even the least skilled of trackers could follow.
It was irritating, but she knew she had to change her plan. Thoughts of a bath and a hot meal would have to wait a little longer. If she were to lose a shadow, particularly one with any skill,
then she would have to dispense with her horse. She thought hard for a moment. Deception and caution would be the key. If there were someone following her – someone sent by the Guild –
then whatever she did would have to be slick if she were to shake him.
It took a few seconds, but she formulated a new plan. There was an inn not two streets away that would serve her initial purpose. The prickling sensation on the back of her neck had not gone
away. She felt sure now that someone was creeping along behind her. It was not that she heard or saw anything to confirm it, but more like a sixth sense – a certainty that someone was
watching. It was not a comfortable feeling. If the watcher had a distance weapon like a crossbow, or even a throwing knife, she would make an easy target. The temptation to kick her weary horse
into a gallop was strong, but she suppressed it. Keeping her horse at a steady, plodding pace, Femke forced herself to stay calm and show no outward sign of her unease.
Every step seemed to take forever. In reality it was a mere handful of minutes later when she guided her mount around the final corner and up to the inn. The stable boy was quick to take the
reins and help her out of the saddle. She thanked him for his swift attention and gave him a few coppers.
‘Do you know if there are any spare rooms tonight?’ she asked as she handed him his tip.
‘Yes, my Lady. Plenty.’
‘That’s good. Thank you.’ She set off towards the main door, but turned just before she reached it. ‘Would you mind bringing my saddlebags inside, please?’ she
called.
‘No problem, my Lady. I’ll just settle her into a stable and I’ll be right with you.’
Femke took the opportunity to surreptitiously scan the street as she turned back to the front door. She saw nothing, but then she did not expect to. A skilled operative would never be seen so
easily.
She went inside. The taproom was all but empty. Those who were there looked to be the sort of regulars who wore grooves in the furniture. They all appeared so at home, they could have been a
part of the decor. The proprietor took one look at her clothing and a broad smile crossed his face. In an unconscious gesture, he swept his few remaining hairs across the top of his head as if
trying to conceal his almost complete baldness.
‘Come in, my Lady. Take a seat. What can I get you? You look as if you have travelled some distance today,’ he said, bustling up to her and making a great fuss of taking her hand and
leading her to a nearby table.
‘Actually I was wondering if it would be possible to take a room for the night,’ she replied, sitting down gracefully into a chair. ‘It has been a long day.’
‘Of course, my Lady! No problem at all. Just you wait there a moment and I’ll go and see which rooms we have available. I’ll be right with you. Did you want me to bring you
something while
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