Sera thought for a moment and then started drawing on the table with her index finger, “Okay, so you’ll enter the hall across from the lower library. I’ll try to leave that door open, but come prepared, just in case I can’t manage it.”

“I will. You know I won’t go anywhere without my trusty lockpicks,” Renae responded with an easy nod. She reached into her pockets and grabbed her lockpicks, smiling at them fondly, “but you know this old set that you two gifted me is still going strong.”

“Fine,” Sera sighed, “at least consider bringing another spare with you, since that set is already seven years old.”

“Eight, actually, and I will, so don’t worry so much, okay?”

“Then, you should enter the lower library after you sneak in. It’s the door to the left once you enter the hall. If you go up the winding stairs,” Sera drew a circle on the table with her finger, “into the upper library, you should be able to sneak out into the second-floor hall.”

“Go down that hall and you’ll run into my fellow castle guards,” Andyr added, “So find a good place to hide while Sera’s drug knocks everyone out. I’m stationed nearby. I’ll take you to the treasury myself. Got it?”

Renae nodded.

“What will we do once we’ve got the loot?” Sera asked, “Should we continue working at the castle and feign ignorance or should we leave?”

“No, we’ve got to be ready to leave in case things get ugly.” Andyr replied, “It won’t bode well for us if we’re caught with his loot. He’ll definitely have us killed.”

“Agreed,” Renae nodded, “so, sounds like we’ve got ourselves a solid plan.”

“This plan of yours is absurd, so it had better work.”

Her jaw dropped dramatically, “Andyr, I’m hurt! When have I ever given either of you a reason to doubt my plans?”

“To be fair, we’ve yet to be murdered.” Sera chimed in, which caused Andyr to roll his eyes.

“Yeah right. Being murdered is just about the only thing we haven’t crossed off the list yet,” Andyr rubbed his forehead.

He placed a few silver coins on the table, “I’m heading back now. Damned staff’s been working me to the bone for weeks to prepare for the king’s birthday, so I need the bloody sleep.”

“I’ll accompany Andyr back to the castle as well,” Sera smiled as she put on her cloak, “I need the rest, too.”

“Ah, good to hear you two are earning your keep!” Renae quipped. With softened eyes she gave them a smile, “Rest well, my dearest friends.”