After the store closed, Sir Kai approached the merchant to ask for permission to spend the day out.
The merchant, a man uninterested in anything that didn't involve his profits, barely looked up from his accounts. Since Sir Kai's absence wouldn't affect his bottom line, he waved him off with a grunt of approval.
Earlier, Sir Kai had carefully noted the direction the two maids had taken after their conversation. He slipped out of the store to follow their trail.
He stayed far enough behind to avoid detection but close enough to track their movements, eventually pinpointing the manor where they worked.
With the sun high in the sky, Sir Kai lay hidden in the brush of the woods near the estate, his clothing shielding him from the sun's harsh rays. From his vantage point, he observed the manor's guards.
