Adamous and Merit found a disused bedroom to hold up in; it was cold and bland, there was a large four poster bed that was wedged tightly up against the wall. The shutters to the window were closed, and one of the slats was broken off and lay abjectly on the ground. The floor had creaked at their entrance, so they limited their movement as best they could. A table with a small standing mirror stood by one of the walls, with a thick cushioned chair leaning up against it; there was an icon of Mary cradling the baby Jesus hanging opposite. Time passed slowly, and waiting in the penetrating silence was nerve racking. Darkness had descended and the room took on the confines of a cave. At least now they could gaze out the window without the risk of being seen. The room overlooked the courtyard and below they could see guards milling round and by their sides wild dogs. One seemed to look up and growl. Quickly they backed away.
“Do you think it saw us?”
“No,” said Adamous puffing out his cheeks, “But better to keep away from the window from now on.”
Merit shook her head, “How much longer must we wait?”
“Not long now I dare say,” replied Adamous he had been studying Merit ever since they had entered the room. “Tell me Merit how is it you know Charon.”
“What do you mean?” said Merit sharply.
“You knew exactly what to give him, to put him under, and to get answers from him, so the question is how do you know Charon?” Adamous moved closer to Merit who imperceptibly backed away.
“Perhaps I know of him the way you know of him; so that’s a question I could ask you?”
Adamous leant forward and whispered in her ear, “Who are you really?”
As he spoke, outside he heard raised voices moving nearer, there was a shuffling and a sudden creak to a floor board, with a gesture he silenced Merit, quickly he motioned for her to get under the bed, while he leapt across the room and jumped behind the door, just then the handle turned and it began to slowly open.