The rest of the day passed without incident.
The former Paladin moved through Adaranthe's outer districts with the same steady pace he'd maintained since entering the city. He noted patrol patterns. Memorised street layouts. Identified choke points and escape routes. The work was methodical, unglamorous, and necessary.
No one stopped him.
By the time the sun began its descent, he had mapped three districts thoroughly enough to navigate them in darkness. The information was stored away, ready to be used when needed.
He returned to the boarding house as evening settled over the city. The woman behind the counter looked up as he entered, then returned her attention to the ledger in front of her without comment. The stairs creaked under his weight. The hallway on the third floor was empty, doors closed, voices muffled behind thin walls.
His room was as he'd left it.
