Late at night, Mia retrieved the booklet from the hollow of the dead tree.
She returned to her stall in the stable and made out the numbers by moonlight.
"Devise a plan to lure the target into taking the potion."
The task was simple.
She had opportunities to approach Fabian, which was easier than infiltrating a heavily guarded noble's castle.
By the next morning, Mia had an idea.
Mia carried a wooden cup.
The water inside was clear. She had drawn it from the well in the chapel's backyard, which was reserved for the clergy.
She was going to Fabian's room.
This was the most direct way of administering the drug that she could think of.
Under the pretext of bringing him water.
The corridor was quiet.
Deacon Philip was wiping the candleholders on the wall.
He spotted Mia.
"Stop."
Mia stopped, hunching her body into a submissive posture.
Philip approached. Rather than looking at her, he stared at the wooden cup in her hands.
He took a piece of spotless white linen from inside his clothes and lightly wiped the side of the cup.
A faint gray fingerprint remained on the cloth.
"Unclean."
Philip's expression did not change.
"Nothing unclean is permitted near Lord Fabian's room. Your hands, your clothes, this cup-all unclean."
He took the wooden cup from Mia and poured its water onto the stone floor.
"Go back. Wash your hands ten times. You are not to approach his lordship's room again without my permission."
Mia looked at the wet patch on the floor, lowered her head, and turned away without a word.
Her first attempt had failed.
She turned her attention to the kitchen.
She wanted to get near the place where Fabian ate, but the fat cleric blocked the doorway with his body.
"Lina, your