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For a long-lingering moment, you stand stock still, staring off towards the noise. Your hope, fain as it may be, is that with just a little more time and effort on your part, you would be able to tell definitively if the footfalls are closing the distance or not. But more than fain, this hope proves to be false. Your ear simply isn't keen enough to tell, and with no way of telling what is confusing the issue, it might just be that you aren't able to tell right up until the feet responsible for the footfalls are in this very room. Scanning the common room, you can see several spots that would offer much better odds of discerning the bearing and heading of the noise ... but none of them are suitable for hiding, and if it proves that this is the keeper of the house, or someone sent on his behalf, you might not have time to get yourself under wraps.
No, better to hide now, and wait out whatever comes. Looking around the room again with fresh eyes, you are drawn straight-away to a bank of alcoves along the wall opposite you, each complete with a service, dining table and chairs for four. If you were to judge, you'd say that these were reserved for custom that was too well-heeled for the trestles out on the floor, but who don't quite rate a spot at the master's table, or a private dining room. All of these alcoves have glassed windows overlooking the tables, so you wouldn't be utterly boxed and buried if you were to be caught in one. Moreover, you would judge that the two closest to you are blocked from sight of three of the potential entrances to the room by a four-lintel fireplace on the floor, and that these alcoves are also well out of the little light remaining in the room.
Bursting into movement after so much stillness almost takes yourself by surprise, but you manage to quickly and quietly get yourself over to the darker of the two alcoves with little more than the soft rustling of your dress. Without even giving it much thought, you drop to your knees, then contort and tuck yourself under the table, keeping your bundle close at hand, in case you need to defend yourself. Blessedly, the floor is clean - there is barely any dust, and no cast offs from the table. You offer up a silent prayer of thanksgiving, then a second, longer one for Wisdom. As it is belated, it is more for your nerves than anything else - calling upon what wits remain to you, you have made your decision, and once again placed your back against the wall. This time physically as well as figuratively. Swallowing in a suddenly dry throat, you can do naught but listen, wait and pray ...
