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Zalena's lips tensed into a thin line as she drew closer to the town square. The unmistakable din of a fight between Yid guards and the townsmen could be heard. It was something she heard often enough to recognize. "There may trouble Susu, we have to be careful." she murmured, knowing that despite the nearing sounds of shouting and fists hitting flesh, Susuri could hear her clearly. A smooth and familiar tingle rose along Zalena's arm, and the cool touch of Susuri's form pressed against the nape of her neck once more.

"We could just leave?" suggested her friend's silvery voice. Zalena blew out air from between her lips as a sign she would not even consider that idea. 
"These little skirmishes happen all the time. If I went inside every time they did, I would be inside probably always," she informed Susuri but then took a pause. She had caught the unmistakable sounds of hooves hitting the dirt roads and the impatient neighing of horses. Muttering a string of curses under her breath she quickly slid to the side of the street, almost pressing against the sandstone building behind her. She began to make haste when she heard the soldiers round the corner two blocks behind her. Zalena turned her head to confirm her suspicions, and let loose another string of colorful words. There were perhaps a dozen of them on horseback, all wearing irritated scowls and royal armor. They had their horses at a canter, since the narrow roads would not allow for higher speeds. Plus, she realized, they know that their men are much more equipped than the townsmen, and will probably not suffer much, unlike the townsmen. She fought off the urge to spit into the dirt.
 
"You should return home, Zalena." the usual composure of Susuri's voice was disrupted by a clinking note of urgency. 

"Where's your sense of adventure, Susu?" Zalena asked dryly as she shrank against the wall in order to avoid being trampled by the passing horses. "I came here for something and I'm not leaving without it."

"Just keep in mind that you cannot use your healing while you're among so many people." Susuri reminded her brusquely from behind thick strands of Zalena's curly mane. Zalena sighed, her wary eyes still on the passing influx of Yid soldiers. They paid no heed to her, so Zalena took the chance to slip into the tight alleyway behind her. She knew of a way behind the buildings that would get her to the square before the additional guards arrived. A slightly foreboding feeling clutched at her stomach, so many guards in one place could not lead to anything good. As she walked, the small heels of her boots sank slightly into dirt softened by the contents of laundry buckets and chamber pots that were often thrown out of the windows above Zalena. It was disgusting to say the least but Zalena did not mind. Traveling around trouble was something nomads had expertise in, even if other routes were less scenic. She kept her hood pulled low over her eyes as she turned left, then left again, passing by huddled beggar children and a toothless old woman singing to herself. She emerged into the main square, just a few feet away from the pastry shop. 

"If only you put that much dedication into your training." Susuri mumbled. Choosing to ignore this, Zalena approached the stand where there were already a few other customers. Noticing that they already seemed to have their food, she gave them polite nods of acknowledgement, then turned to old Yorek with a grin. "Evenin'! Looks like business is going well." she nodded her head towards the commotion as she spoke to the baker. 
"Ah Zal! Even if everybody else stops coming here I'm sure I could keep my shop going with just your business," the old man teased, and Zalena gave him a look of feigned exasperation. "The usual?" he asked, chuckling to himself. 
"Aye, and best make it fast. Other guards are approaching. I bet they'll shut down all the businesses in the square and then give everyone a sound chiding. Maybe this time they won't trample any children." Zalena rolled her eyes. Yorek made a disgruntled grunt in response, then shook his head as he handed her a puffy pastry fat with clotted cream and sprinkled with sugar. As she was handing him her last few coins, the sounds of horses and irate men emerged into the square.
"Best close shop. It's my guess that this lot hasn't had their daily dose of kicking around innocents and barking orders." Yorek said grimly as he began to wrap up a platter of glistening strawberry tarts. Zalena felt that tug of foreboding at the pit of her stomach again, but she attempted to ignore it as she turned to watch the proceedings, and sink her teeth into her newly acquired dessert.