The servant moved closer to Kael, her voice barely above a whisper. "I have a contact outside the castle who can help us. But we need to be careful. The Dowager Countess has eyes and ears everywhere."
Kael nodded, his heart still racing with fear. He knew that he had to trust this servant if he wanted to survive.
The servant moved to a bookshelf and pulled out a large, leather-bound book. She opened it, revealing a hidden compartment inside. From the compartment, she pulled out a small, rolled-up parchment and handed it to Kael.
"This is a map of the castle's hidden passages," she explained. "It will lead you to a secret exit. But you must be careful. The guards are likely to be waiting for you."
Kael took the parchment, his eyes scanning the intricate map. He nodded, committing the route to memory.
The servant handed him a small, ornate box. "Take this," she said. "It contains a token that will identify you to my contact. They will help you escape the city."