The two young Arimythians had gone about floor after floor and knocked on all the doors to the servant�s quarters. Those doors had been answered by frightened servants, each and every one of them having heard the commotion that had taken place from the breaking down of doors and the other nonsense of that night. Akorsa had then informed the residents of each of those quarters that they were to go out into the city, and to stay with friends or family. If they had neither within the city, she promised them that the Proctors would see to paying for them to stay inside the Walled Cities� inns and taverns.
Soon enough, all of the servant�s quarters were empty, including those on the third floor where the five Proctors had been hiding. The friends that Akorsa had sent them to for protection, Daysha and Meada, had seen to it that they were dressed in the appropriate sort of clothing that would allow them to leave safely. Upon seeing the Proctors, Akorsa had softly told them that she would come for them upon the morrow, and that no more could be done that night than to wait everything out. She ordered them to stay in the orphanage, that they would be safe there, and that all would be dealt with upon the morrow.
Feeling too tired to do anything else that night, Akorsa suggested to Fionn that they stay in her old quarters on the third floor, which, at the time, was but a few more steps away. Fionn was amazed by the sheer size of the living space, but Akorsa told him it was not so great when one had to live in it alone. Realizing the truth in this, Fionn led her off to bed, where they slept in the comfort of each other�s arms.
- - - -
The next morning the Captain-General rose early, determined to continue the search for the missing Proctors. He had made his way to his home in Uljaya, and was feeling considerably less irate than he had been feeling the previous night. Realizing he had not considered where Akorsa and Fionn were going to spend the night, he went back to the Proctor�s building in search of them. He found them in Akorsa�s quarters, sound asleep in her bedroom. He knocked on the door loudly and Fionn awoke at the sound. Sleepily, he looked at the cracked door and saw the Captain-General there.
�It is time to rise, so wake your wife, Fionn. We return the search this morning, so prepare yourselves, and take as many men as you need and go out into the city,� said the Verican. �I will see you later this evening.
The door closed behind him as the Captain-General left. Fionn groaned and fell back on the bed, which proved to be far more comfortable than anything they had in Arimythia. He turned his head and saw his wife laying to his right, glowing in the morning light that poured in through the light. Smiling to himself, he leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to each of her closed eyelids. He felt her stir slightly and he pressed another feather-soft kiss to her lips.
�Akorsa, it is time to rise and shine,� he whispered into her ear. She moaned sleepily and rolled onto her left side, pulling a pillow over her head. Fionn pulled the pillow away and pressed another kiss to her temple. �I know you want to sleep more, but we have things we must do today, remember?�
She opened her eyes and looked at him sleepily; not understanding what he was saying, but glad to see him there beside her. She looked at him for a few more moments before her eyes went wide suddenly and she jerked up on the bed, knocking Fionn aside. She looked at him with a sleepy but anxious expression on her face. He tried desperately to restrain his urge to laugh at her sleepy behavior.
�The Proctors!� she hissed at him, jumping off the bed. �We need to get to the orphanage now, Fionn. So hurry you up!�
�There is no need to hurry, Akorsa. The sun is still low in the morning sky, and we know exactly where they are. They are not likely to have moved by now,� he assured her, rising from the bed himself.
�You are right, but I want this over with as soon as possible,� she said, grabbing her axe from its place against the wall and moving towards the door. �I know a wonderful place to get some food, if you feel up to having some breakfast.�
�I do believe I am up for some breakfast. Lead the way, my love,� he said, smirking the whole time at his wife�s unusual behavior. He followed her out the bedroom door, and thus began his first real venture into the world of the Walled Cities.
