Shadow Bands

VII. Meridian

Aeris and Lyra found a path that led them into a sewer. While Lyra left with a compact crossbow, Aeris wasn't too far behind with a tome. She held it close as if it were the most valuable item in the world. Luckily, there were cloaks stored in the room with the armor. They found a ladder, and Lyra was the first one to go up. When she reached the large plate of steel that covered the entrance of the sewer, she signaled Aeris to extinguish the torch. Once she quenched the flames, she lifted the heavy plate. The opening was just enough for her to see where they were. She noticed a stone fountain with a mermaid holding a vase where the water poured out. Streetlights bordered the outside of the fountain, illuminating the darkness of the night and revealing the gloss of wet stone that spanned the entire street.

They appeared in the second ring.

Lyra signaled Aeris to follow, as the coast was clear. Sliding the plate across the stone, she lifted herself up and took hold of Aeris' hand to help her out of the sewer.

"We're close!" Aeris said excitedly.

"No celebrating just yet; we need to get to your manor."

The two discussed a plan to go to Aeris' manor, as that should be a temporary safe place, making it hard for criminals, or anyone with no official business, to enter the second ring. But they knew they would have to remain cautious, as anyone could be their enemy.

Aeris took the lead, as she knew the best way to get to her home. Lyra stayed close behind with her mother's crossbow ready with a bolt seated on the rail. She tried to remain confident with the weapon in hand, but she knew that it was completely out of what she could do. If trouble were to present itself, it could spell disaster for them.

After turning around the block, Aeris pointed at a large house on top of a hill where the stone turned to grass at its base. "There!" She proclaimed. "It's within reach."

They noticed that the light was on in the manor, so they decided to proceed with caution. The hill had little to no foliage, nothing to give them cover. Lyra pointed in the direction behind the house, and Aeris agreed. The two moved as silently as the grass would let them, eventually making it to the back of the manor. Large, barred walls with stone as a frame surrounded the estate. Every other pillar of stone had a lantern on it. Aeris told Lyra to halt as one dog growled. She found a bone that she would stash beyond the wall and held it through the bars. The dog's growl ceased, and instead it licked her hand repeatedly. Aeris climbed over the wall, and Lyra followed. Aeris brought out her key that she kept in a pouch that sat close to her waist.

Upon entering, Lyra could see the pain that washed over her. She knew that every step for Aeris was like stepping barefoot on a bed of nails. Lyra put her hand on her back to reassure Aeris that she was there to shoulder the pain with her.

The two knew they were in the mudroom and that the connecting room would be the kitchen. Just the thought of food made their stomachs growl. They just realized they haven't had anything to eat. As they crept their way through the flame-lit kitchen, they pilfered, is what it felt like to them, some bread and cheese. The two proceeded to the dining room, finding the servants nearly finished preparing the dinner table, yet their faces showed grimness, as though their souls had been taken. They turned their heads and saw the two girls with their arms filled with bread and cheese. One of them had a spark of light in their eyes as tears streamed down their face. Another dropped to their knees and thanked the heavens. The head housemaid hurried to Aeris, as she could recognize her through any disguise, and hugged her tightly. Lyra could see from her eyes that she was happy, but couldn't express it right.

"Higgs!" she said, tears welling up in her eyes. "I thought you all had left."

"We would never leave you, Aeris! Not now." The woman said. Time had weathered the corners of her eyes, and her demeanor suggested she was a seasoned housekeeper.