The following day was a Monday - a market day in Falderdeen. Adrien woke up early to accompany Val in a long day of errands - starting with the walk over the few miles that separated the tower from the rest of the world. It was another of those clear, sunny days that live in the boundary between spring and summer; but Val had to wear long gloves and a tight-collared shirt to conceal himself. When Adrien reached for his hand, Val would move away; "the path is out in the open, and people can see us", he had said. "For now, at least, let's not have them wonder". Adrien swallowed hard - but he understood, and he complied; the last thing a demon sorcerer needed was to draw rumors of an affair with his apprentice. All their beautiful light had to be suppressed - and, on that day, Adrien gained yet another understanding of how much a secret can burn on someone's skin.