The street lamps are lit by the time Yor leaves the office. She navigates the path nimbly, turning and twisting when she 's supposed to turn and twist. Garden appears as it always does.

'Thorn Princess, ' the Shopkeeper says, smiling in that subdued way he always does at the sight of her. In his hand are a pair of gardening shears, and the brim of his straw hat slouches behind him.

'Sir, ' replies Yor coolly, eyes never once leaving his.

He raises his brows, mouth curling even higher at the corners. 'You have questions. '

'Why was I assigned to Olif? '

'Ah. ' His amusement doesn 't diminish any. 'You 've heard other voices. I expected this. Don 't be led astray. '

Yor frowns. 'Why didn 't you tell me anything about my most recent assignment? '

'There was nothing more you needed than what was given to you. '

The cool she clings to vanishes with nothing more, leaving her gaping. 'How can you say that? That assignment ' it changed everything! It