68

You wait for the mercenaries to finish their pipe and go inside before daring to approach the barracks. You move like a shadow along the wall until you find a door that is unlocked and unguarded. It leads to the kitchens, where you manage to hide inside a store cupboard. There you eavesdrop on the conversations of the cooks while they prepare the evening meal. Their talk is mainly about the approaching enemy armies, and it is over an hour before you hear any mention of Banedon.

‘At least we don’t have to feed ’im now,’ says one. ‘They’ve taken ’im to the Magistrates’ Court in Gallows Street. After what he’s done, I don’t think he’ll be getting a meal ever again!’

Your heart sinks upon hearing this. You climb out of the store room through a window and make your way back to Eastwall Lane.

If you wish to retrace your steps along the lane, turn to 278.

If you decide to continue to follow the street east, turn to 284.