After discovering a training room, two chapels, five toilets and no hint of their quarry, Mei opened a door and ended up on a landing that had stairs going up to the top of the wall and down to the main yard, where circles of monks sat cross-legged and praying by the light of a bonfire. That was all she saw before Inge pulled her back through the door.

“Are you trying to get caught?” Inge made sure they weren’t seen. “You can’t just wander around.”

“That’s what I did last time.”

“Last- No, we don’t have time. Come on.” The spy took Mei’s arm and pulled her down the corridor. “We’re doing this the right way.”

They pulled her over to a stairway, towed her downwards.

“Where are we going?” Mei asked.

“Hopefully,” Inge sniffed, “where they use the river.”

“What?”

“Here we are.” Inge opened a random door. “Phons, I’m good.”

The room beyond was piled high with black trousers and white surcotes.

“Laundry?” Mei asked.

“Where all the best disguises are kept.” Inge caught Mei’s wary look. “Don’t worry. I won’t magic your face again ,not as long as l need my strength. Just get dressed, then follow my lead.”

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Once they were monks, the spy led the way back into the corridor and then began to stroll down it very leisurely.

“What are you doing?” Mei hissed.

“Acting like we belong here.”

Grumbling, Mei copied them, and soon the two of them had rounded a corner and encountered a bald monk armed headed the opposite way, his thick wooden staff cradled loosely in one arm.

Mei nearly bolted.

Inge brightened. “Brother, you have to help us!”

The monk blinked. “What is it, Sister?”

“We’ve gotten turned around.” Inge’s desperate hands indicated the corridor. “This fortress’s layout is not proper.”

The monk chuckled. “You just came from Pollum, then? You’ll have to forgive the secular design here.”

Mei tensed. “Pollum” could be a test.

“Secular design.” Inge scoffed. “Surely, even the godless knew there’s safety in the round.”

“Alas, they didn’t.” The monk leaned on his staff. “Where are you going?”

“The infirmary. I tried to use the main yard to find west but…”

“Ah, I see your confusion. This is Refinement. Go south for Residence and Healing.” The monk lowered his voice. “Rule of thumb? Just remember which way the heretics rot.”

Inge nodded. “Ah, yes, that makes sense.”

While Healing was the most likely place to find Mei’s brother - he was mostly likely near Kay, the man Mei had injured at the Harvest Ball - it occurred to her that finding Huan wasn’t nearly as important as finding his benefactor, the one who’d ordered Orlaith’s death, who could command Sen Jerome monks and winddancers.

“Well then,” the monk turned to leave. “I’ll-”

“Do I go north for my staff?” Mei asked.

“No, that’s Administration.” The monk’s brow wrinkled. “You’ll want to go to the Gate. You should have-”

He slumped. Inge caught both him and his staff before they hit the floor. “Why won’t you follow my lead?”

“Because,” Mei helped Inge drag the monk over to a chair, “we hunt the head of the snake.”