Sunlight hit the streets as Leonore closed the door to the Library of the Cycle. She had studied Drathwydian history all night. The stories of how Ashmere was founded by a collaboration between the Twilit Monks and a mythical organisation of Dreamstalkers called the Eclipse swam around in her mind. Leonore sighed, and the heavy locks on the door closed behind her. She looked up, running her eyes along the many decorations leading up to the spire. The depictions of those etchings in black stone told the same stories the books in the library held. The only difference is that just above the door, the creed of the Twilit Monks could be read: Don't wake the Dreamers.
Leonore turned and graciously leapt down the stairs of the Cathedral. Once at the bottom, she saw a familiar-looking carriage racing past her. The dark, ornate wood betrayed the vehicle's ownership. The two horses in front galloped in a steady rhythm. She stared at the carriage rattling down the street. That is Killian's carriage.
Leonore stood for a moment in doubt. She wanted to follow Killian to see what he had bought this time. Perhaps it was another of those relics he enjoys collecting. She thought it must be something interesting because Killian never gets up before sunrise. Leonore made up her mind and started her pursuit of the carriage. Slow at first, but after she had almost lost its trail three times, she quickened her step. Her blond hair trailed behind her in a blur as the length between her steps increased with every one taken. She has always been fast. Not just physically, but she had achieved impossible theoretical feats at a fairly young age. She outsmarted her mentor before she was even given a weapon.
With a few strides, she almost caught up to the carriage. She calmed her pace and matched the vehicle's speed. She knew Killian only lived a few blocks away at his inn.
The carriage came to a halt, and Leonore stopped in her tracks. She looked around. She hoped no one had noticed her. She dove into an alleyway and peeked around the corner. She saw the footman quickly jumping off the vehicle and walking to the back to produce a step. He placed the step in front of the door and opened it. Killian stepped out of the vehicle. He held something under his arms, wrapped in a thick, woollen blanket.
Leonore waited for the carriage to pull away before silently moving towards the inn's entrance. She found the doors were ajar, and she slowly opened them. Leonore knew that Killian kept his collection in the basement. The door next to the bar, down to the basement, was open. She approached the door as she heard footsteps coming up.