Myrna heard Thonda cursing under her breath.
"Such noble words,"
"I do not remember the path being this difficult!" Thonda protested.
"And exactly how long have you been in this city, princess?" Myrna paused on top a small rock in the alleyway, hunkering down and focusing her attention on the other girl. She raised a questioning brow at Thonda who struggled to keep her footing on the rugged path. "I didn't know you had become an expert in the few hours you wandered here."
Thonda's foot slipped and she cursed again. She would have fallen if Daenor hadn't quickly caught her arm.
"Let me bear you on my back, d'avina," he offered. Thonda brushed his hand away impatiently.
"Thank you, Daenor, but I've walked this path before, and in a dress too. I'm sure I can do it again."
Daenor frowned but said nothing. Still watching, Myrna's mouth tipped in a lopsided grin.
"I did not…say I was an expert…of any sort," Thonda answered her, huffing and panting. "I am merely pointing out that this path is slightly more – difficult." She seemed to be the only one struggling and out of breath, Daenor and Myrna were both patiently waiting for her to catch up and catch her breath.
Myrna eyed Daenor again. He wasn't exactly made of muscle, on the contrary, he was a bit lean, but what he lacked in muscle he more than made up for in height and stamina. The latter most likely a result of years of flying. Myrna pursed her lips thoughtfully. He would make an excellent warrior.
She watched as his kind eyes followed his young mistress' movements, ready to catch her again if she slipped.
"We're almost there," She said at last, hopping off the small rock and continuing the journey.
Just ahead of their small party, an elderly woman limped stiffly towards them, leaning heavily on a crude stick. When she saw Myrna she smiled despite the pain that was obvious in her movements. They spoke in hushed whispers when they met in the middle. The woman put a gentle hand on Myrna's cheek, smiling sadly and nodding in understanding to something Myrna had said. Before long, she shuffled on her way, casting Daenor and Thonda warm smiles as she passed them.
"One of my mother's…" Myrna tipped her head, searching for the right word. "…Patients,"
"She comes regularly to know if the Eman could see any healing in her future. An accident in the fish shops cost her her leg. The doctors were able to salvage what they could with their mediocre instruments," She looked pointedly as Thonda. "Many of them cannot afford more modern tools. The woman lives in excruciating pain and I have just told her that my mother hasn't seen any improvement since her last visit."
Thonda's face fell. "Why does she bother?"
Myrna shrugged and continued walking. "Everybody needs hope – something to hold on to. Medicine has its limits, especially here in this city," Her voice dropped to barely a whisper. "Which is why I must become a Mohr. My people need me."
They fell into a silent march again and Thonda wondered if this would be a good time to ask Myrna to complete the story she had begun yesterday. She was still mulling over the thought when Daenor broke the silence.
"Not many have passed through this route since we began at the markets." He observed. "And I believe that is because there is an easier, more preferable path the others follow, one that is open and visible to all. Why do you drag us through the darkness?"
Even as he asked it, he already knew the answer, but he needed Myrna to confirm his thoughts.
"You're much smarter than you look." She teased. "It'll be safer for your princess to move without being seen."
Daenor thought as much.
"But did you consider that it also makes a perfect cover for whoever might seek to harm her?"
Myrna frowned. She had not considered that at all, but this far into the Lowercity, who would try to attack? She was about to turn around and reassure the agitated flyer when she noticed another figure moving towards them. Daenor's warning echoed in her mind and she tensed up, slowing her pace. Behind her, the others sensed her hesitation and slowed down as well.
Thonda looked from Myrna to the figure approaching them. Surely it couldn't be what she was thinking?
Her hands trembled slightly as they reached instinctively for Daenor. Tearing her eyes away from the shadow, she looked up into the flyers face. A muscle ticked in his jaw and he stepped in front of Thonda, putting himself between the young mistress and whatever danger was coming.
It was a man. Myrna could tell by his powerful strides and as he came closer, his large build. She relaxed.
If The Thread was to send an assassin after them, it would not be one as conspicuous as this. No. The stranger was far too noticeable, too easy to remember. Too easy to describe. And he was everything but stealthy.
"Rest easy, princess." Myrna whispered, keeping her eyes ahead.
Daenor's head whipped around to stare at her in confusion, then assessing the man that was a mere three feet away now, he must have come to the same conclusion as her.
"A good day to you." The stranger growled as he passed them,
"And you as well." Daenor returned. The man grunted in response and lumbered on.
"Well, no more scary theories from you, d'av," Myrna laughed, wagging a playful finger in Daenor's face. Thonda laughed nervously, trying to ease the tension in her muscles. Her heart still beat very fast in her chest, not thoroughly convinced that it was safe. She placed a delicate hand over it and turned to Myrna.
"How much longer?"
"Not long now."
Thonda never thought she'd be happy to see the sad little house again, but when it appeared in front of them, she all but ran to it in joy. Separating herself from the others, she walked ahead to the cottage with her arms stretched out.
"Oh, finally." She gasped, near tears. Behind her, Myrna laughed.
"One would think you were the daughter and I the guest!"
"Do not mock me, Myrna. I almost died of fright in those alleys."
"Why would you be afraid? You have Daenor and me, do you not?"
Thonda muttered something in protest and went up to the front door of the cottage. Remembering her last visit, she was careful to avoid the weak spots in the porch steps. She raised her hand to knock on the door.
"There's no need for that," Myrna said, coming up beside her and nudging the door open with a single finger.
"We don't have need for locks and bolts," she explained. "We have nothing worth stealing." She stepped aside for Thonda and the flyer to enter. Daenor hesitated after Thonda, looking around with a skeptical brow.
"You don't approve?" Myrna teased. His eyes flickered to hers for a moment.
"It'll have to do." He said with a grin then entered the cottage.
Myrna entered the cottage last and shut the door firmly behind her. For a moment, she could have sworn she saw a shadow moving along the bushes but it was probably just in her head - Daenor's restlessness was making her restless too most likely.