The Blood Alchemist

Truce

Getting across the river is surprisingly easier than I thought it would be. Olivia is able to keep pace as we sneak across the support structure under the bridge. It probably helps that she has good balance.

On the other side, I lead her through the brush hidden passage that lets out beyond the sight of the bridge. Olivia pauses, glancing towards the bridge. "How are you the only one that's found that?"

I shrug heading towards the city. "Probably because I'm the only one who was looking. That's probably also why your home hasn't been found." Why had I said that? I'm expecting a biting retort from her, but none come.

After a brief pause, she does speak though. "If you're implying that you could find it, I doubt it."

"Oh-ho," I glance over my shoulder at her. "Is that a challenge?"

"No," I slow down for a second so she's walking next to me. She gives me a look, "You don't even know where to start looking."

"I bet I could figure it out."

She rolls her eyes. "Sure thing."

"Fine. I guess I'll just have to wait for you at your home." Her steps falter as her mood changes. "I'm joking," I quickly assure her. I can see her studying me from the corner of my eye. "You really care about your friends and family."

"We're safest if we're hidden," she says softly.

"How can you know if you've never left?"

She fingers the chain around her neck. "Humans have no advantages."

"You seem to do alright by yourself."

She laughs softly. "Thanks to my training."

We both fall silent as we reach the edge of the city. As we slip through the buildings into the street, no one gives us a second glance. A couple of curious people let their eyes linger for a second until they spot my ears. I let my eyes scan the street as we enter the market. The bell tower would be ideal, but it was a bit far away. I would feel better if Olivia was out of Azymus before the sunset.

A hand suddenly grabs my arm. I look to find Olivia holding my arm. Her eyes aren't on me though. A man in armor makes his way through the crowd. Only guards wore armor. Which normally wouldn't be an issue. Guards had to make some rounds in Azymus. What causes concern though is that he's not alone. He's one of three fanned out through the crowd. If they were fanned out, they were looking for someone.

"Stay close," I tell her.

"We need to get off the street," she responds.

I start walking. "First we need to be out of sight. If we can see them, they can see us." I pause, glancing back at Olivia. Her hair would be a dead giveaway.

"What?"

"You stand out too much." I quickly look around. I spot a vendor with cloaks. Perfect. I lead Olivia over. "How much for a cloak with a hood?"

The vendor looks at me. "Depends on the material love," she states.

"I'll take whatever you got." I toss a silver coin on the counter.

She looks down at the coin then at me. "Quite the spender, aren't we? I got a nice velvet cloak locked in the back."

"No!" She pauses turning to look back at me curiously. "No, thank you. I'll take whatever is fastest for you to grab."

"Anything I have upfront is a bit cheap for what you're willing to pay and I don't keep that kind of change on hand."

"You can keep the change then. We're in a hurry."