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Thane eased the door shut. They waited in silence for shouting, an alarm, for a guard to burst inside. One beat, two, three—nothing.

“They didn’t see us,” Thane murmured. Both Thane and Layala stepped away to give the others room to file inside once the guards passed. While waiting, she glanced around. At the very end of the long corridor a single torch burned. Quiet clanking of what sounded like pots and pans came from somewhere nearby. It was warm in here, the kind of heat an oven might produce. And once she got past the musty damp smell, she picked up hints of cakes, or something equally sweet, baking.

The door clicked open and the other four dashed inside until they filled up the small space. Piper nudged Layala with her elbow. “Anything?”

“No sign of anyone yet.”

“Do you know the layout of this place?” Fennan asked.

“What if he’s not here?” Leif interjected. “What if the dragon got here first?”

Layala lifted a shoulder. “Then we’ll find out soon enough, won’t we?”

Thane moved through the group to stop in front. “I’ve never been to this part of the manor. When I was here, I was taken from the entry to a large—entertaining room. Stairs led to an upper level. There were many doorways both up and on the main floor. He could be anywhere.”

“Why don’t we start by asking her,” Siegfried said with his bow in hand and an arrow leveled on a female standing at the end of the hallway. She stood stark still, fists clenched at her sides. A white apron tied around her front and her blonde hair rested in a disheveled bun on top of her head.

“Don’t scream or that arrow will find its mark,” Piper said, marching toward her with a dagger in hand.

Leif moved a sweeping hand in front of Layala, allowing her to go first. She and Thane walked side by side. The elf’s eyes were fixed on Thane despite Piper having her weapon out and Siegfried with an arrow ready to fly. Her chin trembled. Piper grabbed the maiden’s arm and dragged her against the wall that was out of sight of the kitchen on the other side.

Thane stopped before her. “We won’t hurt you if you stay quiet.”

“You’re—you’re,” her voice broke off.

“Thane Athayel, yes.”

“You’re here for L-Lord Brunard.”

“Very astute,” Thane said with a smirk. “Where is he?”

Her chest rose and fell faster, her breaths sharper. “He’s up-up,” she stuttered and swallowed, “Upstairs in his chambers.”

“And which are his chambers?”

She slammed her eyes shut, squishing her face. “The ent-tire right side of the t-top level.”

“Is there a servants’ entry?”

She shook her head.

“Are you lying to me?”

“I—I—nnno.” Layala wasn’t sure if the maiden always had a stutter or if it was from her fear. “There a-are only the s-sets of stairs in the foyer to the up-upper level.”

“How many kitchen staff are there right now?”

She held up her hand with four fingers. Thane nodded and turned to the Ravens. “Tie them up, gag them.” Piper grabbed the maiden’s arm and dragged her along with the tip of her dagger pressed against her side.

Silent as the dead, the others swept around the corner. Layala followed in the back and watched as they apprehended the three other cooks before a scream could be let out. One large wooden block dominated the center of the kitchen. On it were various bowls and platters, chopped vegetables, and an entire uncooked pig. The bright pink of its skin and wide-open black eyes were a little unnerving. She half expected it to jump up and start squealing. Other pots and pans hung from hooks above, flour was sprinkled on some parts of the squares of the brown stone floor and table.

A huge rack of wine stood against the far wall. Leif walked over and picked one up. “Don’t mind if I do.”

“Really?” Fennan drawled.

“To take with me, not to drink now, clearly.”

Layala smiled but slowly shook her head. As if that was even slightly important at the moment.