Ririko called Bruce over, and they went to Talia's room at the agreed time.
The past few days of training had brought some subtle changes to Bruce-
He carried himself with greater composure, and even his breathing had settled into a different rhythm. Dressed in that brown robe, he actually looked a little like a member of the League of Shadows.
The three of them passed through several corridors and turned into an inconspicuous corner.
The stone walls here were darker than elsewhere, covered in cracks and pitted all over.
Talia tilted her head back and pointed at the ceiling.
Ririko looked up. A circular metal frame was embedded in the stonework above, its edges coated in dust, like an old manhole cover.
"We'll leave through here." With that, Talia began climbing, using the small hollows in the wall as handholds and footholds.
She pushed open the round cover, then looked down and said, "Come on up."
Ririko stood below, studying the steep stone wall.
Before, she could never have climbed it bare-handed. But after these past few days of practice, the cracks formed a clear route in her eyes.
She took a deep breath and climbed up using the hollows. Her movements weren't as fluid as Talia's, but she still made it steadily to the opening.
Leaning over the edge of the round cover, she peered up. Beyond it was a vertical stone shaft; without training, there was no way to reach the exit.
She looked back at Bruce. "Let's get going."
Bruce stood below and hesitated.
"I'm staying here," he said, looking up at her.
Ririko's heart sank. "Why aren't you leaving?"
Bruce had already made up his mind. "I'll finish my training as soon as I can and come back for you."
He had spoken with Ra's