“What do you think you’re going to find?” she asks as I search for something to break the glass. Books are all that’s readily available.

I’m far enough from the doors that Phaut isn’t likely to hear glass breaking, but in the utter silence, the sound could carry. “Not sure. You said Ronin’s study is at the back of the castle?”

She nods. “Top floor.”

“Then that’s where I’ll go. My gut is telling me that he already knows why the trees are growing. But he must not want anyone else to know. Maybe I’ll find some answers there.”

I’ll have to risk the noise. Nearby, a narrow table is pushed up against the end of a bookcase. A strip of cloth runs the length of the tabletop, set with an unlit candle in a glass lantern.

I hand the lantern to Saengo, then gather up the table runner. Next, I search through the nearest shelf for the heaviest book I can find. There are plenty of options, but I want something that no one will care much about if it’s accidentally ruined. I settle for a tome on the history of cutlery and napkin folding. That seems a useless-enough topic. Why would anyone care about the history of eating utensils, and why in the names of the Five Sisters is the book so thick?

Saengo watches, brown eyes caught between amusement and worry, as I wrap the book in the cloth. Then I heft the weight in my hands to get a solid grip. If I were caught, what would Ronin do to punish me? At the Company, I knew what was expected of me, what was allowed and forbidden, and how I would pay penance. Here, I have no idea how far I can push.

My fingers tighten around the book. I didn’t excel as Kendara’s pupil by playing it safe. I suppose I better not get caught.

I fling the book against the window. The glass shatters with little resistance. We both cringe. The book falls to the ground outside with a heavy thump. I wait a moment, just in case, but there’s only silence. When I’m certain Phaut isn’t rushing through the aisles in search of me, I use the tablecloth to break off any remaining shards clinging to the window frame.

“Keep watch,” I say. “If Phaut comes to check on us, make up something.”