Snippet #2423060

Ksenia couldn’t help but roll her eyes as she wound her way through the crowd. The disdain was clearly audible as she replied, calling back to the man that was barely a foot behind her. Her quick strides were almost matched by his long ones, mentally noting that if push came to shove she wouldn’t be able to out run him.

“I don’t think it was the look so much as the boot to the face that caught attention.”

Her lithe form abruptly turned around a corner and down a narrow alley. It was a risk; if the soldiers caught up to them their it’d be impossible to escape, but the side street cut the distance in half and it was will worth the gamble. Sen didn’t bother to see if the stranger followed, though she could feel his shadow on her skin even as the sun faded from the sky. Another turn and they were back out on a busy road.

His next comment made her laugh, albeit mockingly. “Listen, hun. If I wanted to make coin it wouldn’t be for harboring illegals. And trust me, you want the crowds right now… the more people, the harder you’ll be to spot.”

The change in his tone wasn’t missed. The suspicion and secrecy to his words made Ksenia question the gravity of the situation. Was there more going on than harshly scolding a nobleborn? Had she bitten off more than she could chew? The magica pushed the thoughts from her mind, steeling herself to the path she’d decided on. She’d gotten herself out of bad situations before, this one would be no different.

Direction changed and halted. A wooden sign hung over a red door with letters spelling out ‘The Gilded Fox’. The entrance was low, though she passed in through it just fine. Those that were exceptional in height, like Talmar, would need to duck a little. Inside, however, had vaulted ceilings complete with rafters. Long wooden tables filled the establishment that was little more than a tavern, all of the stools of which were filled with patrons most of whom were too drunk to notice the new arrivals. Ksenia headed straight to the bar.

“Kens! Long time to see!” A blonde greeted cheerily.

“Sorry to cut this reunion short, Bec, but we need in the back.” Ksenia replied, sounding apologetic.

The blond wench allowed her eyes to shift to the large man that had accompanied her friend before returning to Ksenia. She frowned a moment before nodding, following Sen to a door on a back wall. Once the pair had ducked inside, a curtain was pulled across the wall to hide the entrance and it blended in like the rest of the booths and décor.

Ksenia side, resting against the wall, suddenly aware she was stuck in a room with a stranger that had just nearly beat a boy. Her chin raised a fraction of an inch, staring at the stranger with bright blue eyes.