Try to get back to the castle

If you're going to crack this, you'll need every resource at your disposal. The castle library should have something to help break the code; even if it doesn't, it can at least point you in the right direction. "Ruzena, do you think you could get to my castle on your own? No offense, but bringing you along in my personal carriage might be a bit conspicuous." She nods. "Sure, no problem. Oh, wait! What are you going to tell the rest of your group?" She has a point. It might be best to keep this quiet for now, to keep your enemies from knowing you've discovered them for as long as possible. For all you know, the assassin's employer could have been one of your group's very members! "Just limp when you get back to them, say you fell during your walk and sprained your ankle so now you have to go home." You accept the wisdom of her plan. Now that everything has been said, you aren't sure how to leave off. Almost subconsciously, you move to hug her. She seems surprised for a second, but she returns your hug. You feel her tight warm body pressed up against you, and catch some of the light floral scent of her blonde hair. Reluctantly, you end the hug after a few second and walk off, leaving her standing there.

The limping plan worked as expected. All of your party members wished you well and expressed their sadness at your departure. It was a weird sensation being paranoid as you are right now, hearing their words and hyper-analyzing them for falsehood that would suggest murderous intent. Your carriage ride home was a stressful one, caught as you are between trying to stay alert and trying to puzzle out this mystery.

Arriving at your home, you made off for your books as quickly as possible. You found your spymaster Benjamin there. You've always hated spymasters. They're the ones supposed to protect their lords from plots, but half the time their skill in the devious art and close placement to their lord meant they were the masterminds half the time. "Welcome back my lord, I didn't expect you back so soon." What does he mean by that? Oh, right, you were supposed to be hunting right now. "I've had a bit of trouble Benjamin," you admit. "Oh?" he asks, sounding mildly concerned, "What seems to be the matter my liege?" You sigh. "Well, I'd like it if you could keep this between us for now, but I've been attacked by a would-be assassin. He carried this note on him, which seems to be in code. Do you know anything about ciphering?" you say, holding the scrap out to him. Paper in one hand, other hand scratching his chin, Benjamin looks to be the picture of thoughtfulness. "I can't say I've seen it before, but I may have something. Would you care to help me search through my resources?" You nod and he leads you through a hidden passage to a small room connected to the library. The two of you begin poring through hefty tomes, comparing things to the scrap. You get lost in this work and jump when you hear a new voice. "Master, an unknown young woman, peasant most likely, has shown up at the castle" a young man says. He looks over when he hears you shift from fright. "I'm sorry to startle you my king, I didn't expect to see you here." Benjamin gets up from his seat and walks over to the man. "Thank you Michael, you may go," he says, pressing a coin into the man's hand. "I'm sorry to surprise you, Michael is allowed to see me during my work. I have eyes all over the place, especially here, you know. But now, is this young woman a surprise you have for me?" he asks, smiling. "Oh, that's Ruzena, a huntress. She saved me from the assassin," you say flatly. "Oh" he says in an odd voice. "She's rather pretty. Is that all she is to you?" you asks in a quizzical tone. "Yea-yes, that's, that's it" you say. You hope he doesn't see you blush in the dim light of the little room. Benjamin laughs and claps you on the shoulder a few times. "Well, if you say so. If you wouldn't mind introducing her to me, perhaps her side of the story can help me figure this 'assassin' out."