“You have no idea” Liaena said darkly in response to Fran’s comment about the Cathedral’s active and thriving rumour mill. A couple of the apprentices lurking outside Thea’s room, some of whom looked as young as twelve, drifted hopefully after Liaena and she turned around to snap ferociously at them as they scattered. “Beat it! Go on!”

Fran’s reminiscence about his experiences in Lordearon were as well intentioned as they were fraying on the nerves for Liaena, and she chewed on her lip as she hurried for the main doors, rather than snap at her currently most willing ally. Finally spilling out onto the stone steps though, the colour of the sky stopped her in her tracks. 

The sky was a faint golden-ish yellow flecked of grey, the weak rays of the winter sun almost done. There could not be more than half an hour left of light, tops and Liaena felt a chill of dread clutch at her heart. [i]“Oh, Light…it’s later than I thought”[/i]

“We have to go….now. Fran, I’m sorry, but can you take it from here?” Liaena turned to the dwarf as she pressed a gold piece into his palm irrespective of any protests he might have. “…Take this, get a cab and tell Darius everything that’s happened. We’ll be moving as soon as it gets dark, so do anything you can to draw the guard away from the waterfront. And…thanks”

Turning away from the dwarf with a final squeeze of his hand, Liaena descended the steps with Rithrynn right behind her. Despite the gathering evening, there were still some tourists wandering around in the square with the occasional cabbie loitering hopefully. Liaena made a beeline for one of these. 

“Hey! That’s ours, girl!”

“OFFICIAL BUSINESS! …And I tip more” Liaena screamed back as she got a leg up onto the drivers seat. The cabbie turned to give her a dirty look, a look which promptly vanished when he saw the glitter of gold in her hand. “It’s all yours if we’re at the Mage District in under five minutes. Got that?”

“Y-yes! Ma’am!” The cabbie spluttered as he flicked his whip and his horses reared into life. Taking another desperate look at the sky, Liaena turned to Rithrynn who had opted to sit on top of the carriage rather than climb inside it. “And…I think so. Hopefully. Thea said she’d do something”