Shivers ran down Valen's spine as his assumptions were immediately proven incorrect; rather than being satisfied with the information and leaving him be, it now seemed the woman's goal involved him further still. He paled at the thought that whatever else she had planned would require him— dragged along helplessly as she moved toward the wall, until he realized that she simply required further assistance... which put his heart at slight ease. Slight.
"I-it's the second cobblestone brick, from the floor. You have to press it..." He attempted to explain in a bit of a rush, not wanting to test the limits of the woman's patience. Rather, he summoned what little courage he had and stepped forward to the wall, pressing his hand to the aforementioned brick which had been laid. A slight bit of effort, and the brick seemingly gave way, before an audible click in the wall echoed out, and a pattern of bricks, similar to a tall door in size and shape, snapped free of their rigid place. With a bit more effort, that pattern of bricks shifted, and slowly swung open, revealing a rather dark, dimly-lit passageway that led out of the solar. Not exactly a marvel of technology... but Valen had always admired the ingenuity of the demesne, though this didn't exactly feel like a great time to wax poetic, even mentally.
With the way open and woman free to escape as she wished, Valen hesitated to follow— even at the expense of incurring her anger. Everything had happened so suddenly that he didn't have time enough to think rationally— or at least, think like a man in his station should. There was an assailant on the rooftops; The guards— even his uncle— could not be allowed to walk into the solar unawares of the dangers. It was his role as the duke to protect his people... regardless of how they felt about him, and how he felt about himself. He... could not leave. Even if it meant his life."...It should lead to the kitchen, and further still to the estate commons. I... I will stand guard against the assailant in the window, and await the guards. Please, make your way to safety." He bravely spoke, turning back toward the window, though his voice (and knees) shook with every word.
