Jeffrey swept the stairs, ignoring impulses to hide or run. He had discovered that, unless a specific summons occurred, servant tasks were independently handled, and no one person bothered to coordinate who did what and when. As long as he went where he was requested by whomever when it was necessary, he could spend time pretending to work.
He "worked" outside the main entrance of the Institute, across from a square that mirrored the one several stories beneath it in Old Haven. In this way, he was able to see many people come and go, noting how important they appeared and catching snatches of rumors.
Jeffrey had been sweeping the same ceramic stairway for about three hours. He hadn't heard anything useful save for a lot of gossip about some recently disgraced Citizen named Davids or Davidson; he heard it both ways. Dozens, maybe hundreds of people had walked by, and he was disappointed by a lack of anything concrete.
He had nearly given up, already having moved to the edge of the staircase, when he saw an elegant black car pull up. He froze, keeping his back to the entrance of the Institute as he noticed Inquisitor Gottfried come outside and walk to the vehicle.
Gottfried opened the car's back door, and a short, hunching figure emerged. The other man, older, had a ruddy complexion that appeared imposing and sinister from the scowl he wore. Jeffrey turned his back again, lest he be recognized by Gottfried and arouse suspicion. They were just close enough for him to hear.
"High Inquisitor." Gottfried greeted him. "The council meeting is set to begin-"
"Spare me," his superior growled. "The only reason I'm wasting my time here today is because you failed to convince them of the necessity of another incursion in your messages."
Jeffrey stole a glance, a measure of smug delight filling him to see Gottfried's clenched jaw and stiff posture as he was chastised.
The High Inquisitor walked past his subordinate, who fell in step beside him. "It doesn't matter anyway," the man said. "I've already organized the reserve military. They'll be ready to commence this evening whether or not the council approves of it." He turned towards Gottfried. "Against my better judgment, I'm still placing you in charge of monitoring the battle progress against this 'Silver Fox' character when it begins. Do not mess it up. And let me do the speaking to the council." Gottfried nodded stiffly and both men entered the building.
Jeffrey was already walking back towards the servant barracks. This sounds like something Elijah ought to hear about, he thought.