The courtyard of Ruthard Palace still smelled faintly of blood and quarrels. Broken shafts of bolts and scattered blades lay where the men of Ulrich Vavak had tried to press their threats. The argument over Kuttenberg’s mines had turned from words to steel the moment Rosa Ruthard’s crossbow bolt struck the stone beside the mint master’s men.

Now the palace had grown quieter. Servants cleared the mess while Kunzlin Ruthard spoke elsewhere with the young man who had stepped in to defend them — Henry, the blacksmith’s son searching for Lord Capon.

Rosa leaned against the stone archway overlooking the courtyard, her crossbow resting beside her. When Henry emerged from speaking with her father, she stepped forward.

“Henry, wasn’t it?”

“I heard what you asked my father… about Maleshov.”

A small pause, studying him carefully. He could help her find her book she still hasn't finished writing.

“If you truly intend to sneak into that fortress, then if I could ask you of a favor. I left something in the castle I hope you could bring me back, to help you, I can tell you about a secret passageway into the castle.”