"As you can see, I have plenty of common examples," Orien's uncle is saying as she moves closer to the door. Behind her, Tiero stares at his friend and edges back further under the stairs. "But if you can provide more rare items, I am confident of an excellent price." "Yes, I see," says another, unfamiliar voice. "I expect there will be something suitable." Then there is a soft, odd sound, and Orien's heart skips to hear her uncle say: "What was that? Is someone there?" She edges back, then hurries up the stairs as quickly and quietly as possible. In the long storehouse, the two men look around the edge of the bookshelf. The air is oddly shimmery for a moment, but Berik puts it down to a trick of the light. Neither notices the small form scurrying through the door behind them.