The trio returned to the street corner where they had left the chariot under a thick oak tree.
The chaos at Velm's shop had drawn attention, which made curious faces and whispered conversations to follow them through the alleys, but no one approached them.
Opaline walked close to Lancet, the ledger still clutched against her chest. Her eyes moved constantly, watching the shadows, expecting more masked figures to emerge at any moment.
The adrenaline was fading now, leaving behind a trembling exhaustion she refused to show.
Spectra walked slightly ahead, her silver hair catching the lamplight, her presence clearing the street before them like a blade parting water.
When they reached the oak tree, they saw that a crowd had gathered around the chariot, all of their focus on the two Pegasuses.
There were men, women and children standing in a loose semicircle, wearing different variations of merchant garb.
