Chapter 174: Chapter XXXIV: A Brush With Death [2]

Ruffinia stood before a dark oak door, garbed in a kirtle dress made of wool, a pail of lukewarm water in tow. With the loot she had acquired from her poor victim earlier, who remained unconscious inside the castle pantry, Ruffinia disguised herself as a dutiful maidservant. Upon several twists and turns inside the keep, she passed by several patrolling guards, who simply ignored her in spite of her foreign face, resulting to a reasonable conjecture: House Walruse, contrary to her own household, must have hundreds of servants in its employ as not every castle denizen appeared to be acquainted. This notion in turn had emboldened her. And at long last, she arrived at the door of the lord's chamber, where at the other side revenge lay ahead.

"Milord, I have brought warm water at your behest," Ruffinia feigned politeness, gently hammering the door to get the attention of the party on the opposite side.