Plotting to escape was easier said than done. From her room to the entry hall, she had identified no less than seven lethal traps, plus something known only as 'the gluer'. The entry passages were packed to the brim with a variety of disabling traps and the main hall contained a level negative four trap coefficient.
Noble Tiffaney didn't know what that meant, but it sounded terrifying.
There wasn't a choice for her anymore, with the master of the castle deciding what her punishment was to be for being so presumptuous. If she failed to escape, she would be trapped and most likely dropped into one of the seven lethal traps she was concerned with earlier. Perhaps the spire instead, where the trap coefficient was negative seven.
Unable to stop the flow of time the noble decided to bathe. Rooms themselves did not have hot water, but clean fresh water that was cool but not cold.
"I am grateful its clean." Taking a rag, she took the time to wash down with mild soap. Maid Jac insisted that she clean her body once a day when she was showing her the baths. The baths did have an endless stream of hot water.
Hot water?
That was it! Hot water takes space and fire to make or magic stones. Magic stones released to much heat for the water to be used right away, so it had to be cooled after heating. Either method required tanks or space to work in.
"Somewhere there's got to be a path to get there." Her small size for once working in her favor, she should be able to find an escape somewhere. In her mind there was some ideal little path or duct she could crawl through.
That lead to a several hundred-meter drop. That dumped me into the heating vat that was three hundred degrees. That would somehow use flipper traps to batt me around forever.
"Happy thoughts 'Tiff', you escaped once you can do so again." Trying not to be mired in her own darkness, the noble shivered from the cold before redressing. Proper pajamas were issued since the noble became an 'employee' Soft off-white fabric, with a few small buttons on the collar and a light ruffled edge at both the waist and all the cuffs.
Warden Jac had almost fainted when she wore it the first time, why the noble didn't know. This place she had come to had shattered all preconceived notions she held. In a way her previous home was expected, she was hurt on schedule, she suffered all the time. No one occasionally was nice to her.
Two kids didn't brag about how they met maid Tiffaney first, showing her off with pride. None one provided for her or stood up for her. If she was alive, the rest of the noble house didn't matter nor care about her.
Food mattered; money was needed. Prior to escaping she had managed to pilfer a few stones that had fallen from her mother's dress when her mother beat her as the mistress mistake. Those small precious stones had been enough to finance her escape and travels. A few coins were what she managed to get with the aid of some pity from an old pawn shop.
Wages were dispersed monthly; they weren't large given the accommodations one received but it was enough to enjoy some of the other things the world beyond the walls had to offer. Wages were still weeks away, far too late for her to run.
Her main plan was to find one of those communities and hopefully bluff her way out to normal lands. Honestly there had never been anyone who knew that people still lived in castle Dyne. The family still being alive was shocking. If there had been background to support the child, she would have used her status to force the lady to assist her, rather than accept her need to escape.
"No use for it, get through todays class and stow some food to take." Her plan needed three things to work, food, money, and a way out. Her first step was to store some of the food from the dining hall, preferably without getting caught. At dinner she made her attempt to store some bread in her skirt.
"Don't stick food in your dress, if you want some snacks for later just ask the ladies behind the counter." It had been mortifying to be caught so simply. One of the other ladies who Tiffaney hadn't met before had noticed her and realized she was still adjusting. Most of the new kids would try to cache food, afraid that they would be starved or kicked out.
"Let's go together." Standing up the lady escorted the small noble to a small counter on the side of the cafeteria. Waiting for two other maids to go first, the tiny child's thoughts ran rampant. What would she ask for, how would she ask for it?
"Could I please have some substances, stored to last for latter consumption." Two older aunt types stood behind the counter. For a moment they looked at each other unsure of what to make of the stuttering child who said more words than they learned in their life. Glancing at the older maid who stood beside the curtsying noble, the aunties read the mouthed words 'to go' before silently communicating with each other.
"Of course, dear we would love to help. It's wonderful to see such a prim proper young lady like yourself." Smiling softly the first began to put a container together while the other raided the food storage.
"Right right, not at all like that one maid."
"Wax or something was her name."
"Always running off leaving others to take care of her slack." Tomatoes and leafy greens were shredded neatly with a loaf of bread, then grinded into sandwiches before their very eyes.
"Are you speaking of maid Jac?" The lady assisting Tiffaney ask.
"Jac! Of course, useless thing."
"Lasted one day here before she begged to be sent somewhere else."
"What was with that strange big sister look she had going on?"
In her head after recovering from her curtsy, Tiffaney was worried for maid Jac's. These older ladies were roasting the poor maid.
"That's not true she is really nice, but um." Wondering if she should say this but didn't want her plan to get discovered she forged ahead.
"Her bed is never made, and she leaves a mess by the sink every day." All three tall figures looked at the maid before laughing hysterically.
"I knew it!"
"Watching her use a mop was one of the funniest things I've ever seen."
"She almost cried when we told her to reclean the counters."
Felling terrible for causing such a problem the noble didn't know what to say but could only say prayers for maid Jac, wherever she was. Snide comments continue to be exchanged before several boxes were placed on the counter.
"You should eat more. "
"We packed extra."
"Also, some longer-term rations so you always have something just in case."
"Oh, here's a bit of tonight's special we threw that in there."
"Take this too."
Stifling a laugh, the assisting lady looked at the noble overburden with stacks and mounds of takeout containers.
"Let's get you back to your room." Ill guide you so you don't spill anything." Before she could herd the small child, Tiffany jostled as she tried to curtsy for the nice food service workers.
"Thank you graciously for this bounty. I'm sorry I can't properly bow to show my thanks." Beaning the two older ladies responded similarly.
"Tis no trouble fair child." Relived that no one felt burden the noble was able to slowly hobble away. One of three problems solved, now to figure out how to acquire some currency.