~ ZARA ~
I was holding the candle. Ash gestured to me to be quiet, then nodded at the candle for me to blow it out.
Sick and sad, I did as he asked, praying there were no crawlies waiting to jump on me, but as soon as I got rid of the light, he turned his attention back to the wall and there was a small click.
Still putting a finger to his lips, he slowly, slowly opened the door—thankfully there was no creak or scrape. He peered out of a small gap for a long minute before his shoulders rose and fell once, then he said. "Pull up the hood of your cloak."
He did the same with his as I reached for mine, and then he pulled me quickly out of the passage and into the hallway.
And I suddenly realized why he was wearing such plain clothes.
Ashwood Fireknight the Defender, was very recognizable—in his uniform, or his armor, he'd be identified, and anywhere Ash was present, I was the next person they would expect to see.
