The moment could have lasted forever, it should have too, but the world turns regardless of what should be. Amethyst enjoyed every second of the embrace. The tremors were the byproduct of excitement and exhaustion. She couldn't tell, however, whether the tremors were hers, Nuru's or Tenya's. They were most likely a combination of all three. The relief was short lived though as reality came crashing in.

Wa Chini was calling out to them from the chamber where Uongo had made his stand. Retching sounds were emanating from the aqueduct where the bodies were along with calls to keep moving forward. With little choice, the girls hurried with an unconscious Ebba towards the water.

Uongo was tied up and was lying gagged in the boat he had tried to use in his earlier escape attempt. Beside him Ponáei sat with one hand holding her chin up while the other caressed Uongo's rhythmic chest. Only two of Ponáei's original men remained, the others had bled out on the floor, their lifeforce dripping into the city's waters becoming one with the shed blood and sick of those beyond the grate of the previous chamber.

All of Ponáei's men had been seemingly sacrificed. The assault of nearly three hundred men around the city and at least fifty of them in the streets above these very tunnels attempting to lay siege and hold Uongo's keep. Yet she sat, looking at her target, gently attempting to comfort him after his capture.

Anger boiled in Amethyst as she saw that the boat had also been untied, and Ponáei had already started to make her escape. They were not stranded; however, another boat was tied to the opposite side of the canal. Both Wa Chini and the last surviving slave-man were working to untie the boat. They swiftly completed their task, and although the slave-man clearly wanted to press forward leaving the girls behind, Wa Chini's unwavering form won out.

The tunnel leading into the chamber the girls had just retreated from now hosted the sounds of war cries. None of the girls bothered to look back, instead they quickly filed into the boat. Wa Chini and the slave-man pushed off with long oars that pressed into the foundation of the canal floor. The current took care of the rest as they were swept forward at a rather uncomfortable pace. Here, Amethyst took the time to glance back.

Two dozen men by her count and several serpents were at the stone bank of the water. They hesitated with no way to catch them. One of the serpents pushed two of the humans in, commanding them to catch them. The men bobbed in the water for a moment, before silently slipping under the water. Amethyst did not see them surface again.

As the dark tunnel bent away and the group secured their escape, the cries and shouts from the chamber faded away. The rippling water was all the noise they could hear. Everyone remained silent. Nuru leaned over the edge of the boat, heaving. Wa Chini and the slave-man were navigating the tunnel.

Tenya held Ebba close to her, tightly. She was rocking back and forth along with the boat. Only the faint glow of blue lanterns passing revealed each member's task. The darkness would quickly swallow them up over and over again. before being driven away again by another lamp.

Amethyst sat behind Tenya. She slowly leaned forward onto Tenya's hot back. Tenya in turn pressed back as the two firmly rested against each other for the remainder of the trip. There were no words, no glances as each lantern passed. Eventually Amethyst closed her eyes, and she fell into the dark void of a dreamless slumber.

She felt a hand touch her back as she jolted awake. Shafts of sunlight illuminated them through the open grates above. Nuru's chestnut eyes beamed down and a soft smile met Amethyst's awakening. Amethyst let out a sigh and looked forward. Her sudden movement caused Tenya to wake as well and they two wiped sleep from their eyes. Nuru held her hand out for Amethyst and steadily pulled Amethyst up onto a wooden dock like structure that crossed the canal, allowing for no further passage.

Wa Chini had already started to lift Ebba up out of the boat giving Amethyst the opportunity to pull Tenya up. In the bright light of the sun, Tenya's face looked like hell. Her lip was busted and a gash had matted a good part of her hair on the side of her head. She had bright red sclera and her face was covered in dried blood. Swelling around her nose and right eye wasn't as bad as it could have been.

Amethyst offered her the same warm smile that Nuru had. As she gripped Tenya's forearm and started to pull, her muscles protested with a deep cramp in the middle right of her back. As soon as Tenya was on the wooden barricade, Amethyst dropped to her knees. The muscle wriggled a bit, tightening on her, threatening to tear. Tenya and Nuru immediately attended to her. Amethyst felt the sweet relief of relaxation as Nuru's hands pressed into her back. The heat of her magic was like a hot drink on a cold day, warming her bones and letting her settle in just a little.

A ladder offered itself as the way to escape the Aqueducts. Amethyst shielded her eyes as the full power of the mid morning sun blasted onto her. The cold from below melted away in an instant. Normally, Amethyst would dread this moment, but the warmth felt incredible. Once on the surface, Amethyst laid down on the stone pathway. Like a lizard, she lay in the sun's merciful embrace and lapped up every drop her aching body could drink in.

Her meditation was cut short as Ponáei spoke up. "Victory is ours, little help from your group." Her voice was seeping with disdain.

Amethyst shot forward, her fury burning brighter than the star above. "Excuse me?!" She looked over to Ponáei who was loading Uongo into a cart. A few of her men had survived and they were here with a covered cart.

Ponáei paid no attention as she climbed into the back of the cart. She once again left the group as she and her men went off in their cart.

Amethyst wanted to retaliate. Her fists were balled up and she felt the heat of her magic whip up sand around her. Tenya's face slid into her vision as she placed her hand onto Amethyst's shoulder and shook her head.

"Just let her go." Tenya's voice was hoarse and scratchy. "Let's just rest for a while. The man who helped us escape went off with Wa Chini to get Stochastís and Hofu." She gave Amethyst a timid smile, then stepped away to sit under the shade of a brushy tree.

Amethyst watched Tenya limp away to where Wa Chini had laid Ebba. Her sway hypnotized Amethyst and her rage melted away under the burning sun. Amethyst went and sat next to Tenya while Nuru found cover under a similar tree. Nuru started to snore lightly as they settled in. Tenya was stroking Ebba's hair lightly as she laid Ebba's head onto her lap.

There were a few houses out here and a couple fenced in spots. Goats were walking around, digging through piles of foliage. Amethyst could see a few people were out here, near where the Aqueduct let back out into the river. They must have taken the water all the way to the northernmost part of the city. Amethyst could hear Tenya's rhythmic breathing. Tenya must have fallen asleep too. Amethyst wasn't tired any more, at least not the kind of tired to sleep. So, she waited until the return of her friends in blissful calm.

§

By the time Busara and Stochastís arrived with a cart, the sun had already begun to fall towards the east, casting long shadows that gripped the earth in preparation for the night's reign. Busara embraced Amethyst tightly for a moment before embracing Nuru. He smiled widely at the sight of Tenya and Ebba who were still planted below the scrubby tree.

"So beautiful to see you were successful!" Busara said as he stood shoulder to shoulder with Amethyst. "Truly our prayers were heard!"

"It seems so," Amethyst hesitated. "This victory was narrowly gained. Ebba's life was only attached by a hair."

"Wa Chini had said as much." Busara's demeanor shifted. He stepped forward and spun around to face Amethyst. "Hofu had a great many loud words with Ponáei as we departed. He was displeased by the tale Wa Chini told."

"Well, Ponáei abandoned us, twice." Amethyst tensed and her face scrunched in frustration. "After all the men she smashed against the wall of battle, she still pleaded with that monster, even after seeing that... carnage in the Aqueducts."

"She denied any wrongdoing, but confirmed Wa Chini's story to be fully accurate."

"Oh, so she is insane?" Amethyst's words dripped with venom.

"It seems so..." Busara stepped back to look at Tenya and Ebba. Stochastís was lifting Ebba up while Nuru offered her hand to Tenya. "She feels different now." Busara confirmed. "Like a different person all together."

Amethyst watched Tenya stand with Nuru's aid. She dusted herself off, then patted down Nuru as well. She and Nuru strode towards the cart where Stochastís helped both of the girls into the cart. Amethyst knew neither needed the help, but accepting the offer was courteous. Amethyst watched as Tenya mouthed "Thank you." as she stepped up.

"She certainly does." Amethyst admired Tenya as she disappeared into the back of the covered wagon, likely the same one Ponáei had left in. "A mother reunited with her child. It seems her claws have retracted."

Busara placed a hand on the middle of Amethyst's back and patted a few times before he made his way to the cart. "It seems clear." Busara didn't look back as he spoke. "You were right as always." There was a playfulness to his words, though Amethyst could tell there was also a hint of warning still left in his tone.

Amethyst considered his words for a moment. The phrase, "Your heart is too big." And other variations were at the forefront of her mind. Amethyst wasn't ashamed of her choice, though she did regret the way they had come to their victory. She wondered about the possibilities that they could have had if Ponáei hadn't involved herself. What if they had kept Hofu securely hidden. Maybe Wafi would still be alive along with all those other men. Maybe Stochastís could have helped Tenya simply buy Ebba for an outrageous sum? The world of alternate possibilities overwhelmed Amethyst.

Stochastís broke her concentration. "We are loaded up and ready to make our way."

Amethyst jumped at his words. "Yes..." Amethyst looked down at the grate they had escaped through. She could almost hear the howls of the dead calling to her. Any moment their fingers might lift the grate up and drag her back down. The whipping wind didn't help the sensation as a sudden burst blew her hair wildly away from the grate. As though the very sky itself beckoned her to go before the dead changed their mind. "Yes!" She answered confidently. "It's long past time."

Stochastís used his arm to corral Amethyst towards the cart, his opposite hand gesturing the way forward. Amethyst refused to look back. Stochastís helped her into the cart and draped the canvas back down, covering the last remnants of the world outside.

With the flickering of a lantern Amethyst looked at the ragged group. Tenya's focus remained on Ebba and Nuru had already fallen back asleep as she leaned against the cart walls. Sitting next to her, the slave-man looked solemn. Amethyst studied his features. He was an older man with gray pressing the last black remnants from his hair. He was scared and covered with markings she couldn't hope to understand. His hands were large and looked rough. Blood still covered them, the crusty lifeforce dried and flaking as he rubbed his hands together tightly.

Amethyst chose to not engage with the man, instead letting the ride remain quiet and peaceful.

§

There was no celebration, no cheers or party as Amethyst and the others entered Ponáei's abode. Instead, the remaining people who had still remained from the previous night's assaults had either packed up and left, or were in the process of doing so. The promised victory rang hollow to the souls left alive. Their comrades and friends having died for the lie of a revolution Ponáei had never intended. There were a few who still kept their post. Their loyalty seemingly left intact. or maybe it was the money, there truly was no way to really know. But one thing was sure in Amethyst's mind, Ponáei simply didn't care.

Wa Chini was sitting on a chaise, spread along the comfy pillows but quickly stood upon seeing his friends return. He gave a nod to everyone as he swiftly passed out of sight into another room. Seconds later, Hofu and Agápi followed Wa Chini back to the main entry room.

"Father!" Agápi called, sprinting to the slave-man. She leapt onto him and they clung together in a teary reunion.

Hofu watched with a warm smile before making his way to Amethyst. Nuru and Tenya sat on the chaise Wa Chini had been laying on. Stochastís entered with Ebba and made his way upstairs. Both Nuru and Tenya stood and quickly followed. Wa Chini resumed his lounging position on the chaise.

"Congratulations are in order then." Hofu said with a smile.

"In our mission to reclaim Ebba, yes. But there was no victory over your uncle." Amethyst looked around, expecting to see Ponáei or Uongo step out at any moment.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Had I known my Aunts true intentions..." His face was stricken with grief. "I... I do not understand why she chose this path."

"Love, as crazy as it sounds." Amethyst offered.

"Obsession." Hofu countered. "The remaining men and I agreed that she should be locked up. She and Uongo."

"Are you not still in danger?" Amethyst looked around, gesturing her hands widely as she continued.. "How will you convince anyone that this was all Uongo and Ponáei's doing?"

"The bodies in the Aqueduct will be more than enough to break his credibility." Hofu walked over towards a simple wooden bench that was stationed next to the front entrance. He leaned forward with his head in his hands. Agápi and her father walked over to him, The father kneeled in front of Hofu while Agápi sat next to him leaning into him, her hands roving around his back in comfort as Hofu started to cry.

Amethyst wanted to comfort the boy she saw. But what could she offer that the other two could not offer in spades. Instead she looked at Wa Chini, who stood at her gaze. He walked over to her and put his arm over her shoulder.

"Come now." Wa Chini's soft warm fur instantly warmed her. She hadn't noticed that the chill air had settled into her bones. "You need to rest, properly." Wa Chini walked Amethyst up the stairs and into the room She and Tenya had been sharing. Wa Chini paused before leaving. "I am sorry you had to kill that man, and defend yourself because I was not fast enough to intervene."

"Wa Chini--" Amethyst started before Wa Chini cut in.

Wa Chini's paw was up, his one clawed finger making a shushing motion. "You should not have needed to do those things." Wa Chini let his arms drop and his head dangle, like a child who was just caught stealing sweets. "It was my burden and I failed you..." His already high pitched voice broke as he choked out his next words. "The look in your eyes... After stabbing that man. I am sorry."

Amethyst wasted no time as she threw herself onto him, gripping his soft warm fur tightly. She could feel his purrs start to rumble as he lifted his arms up to hold her as well. They stood in front of the door for a long time before Wa Chini broke the hug. He wiped the tears from his face, and rubbed the wet fur on his cheek with his wrist. He whispered a broken goodnight and walked away from Amethyst quickly to his own room he shared with Busara.

Amethyst sighed as she thought about that man again, about the serpents she blew to pieces with her magic. Her mind started to spiral back into the Aqueducts just as Tenya opened the door.

"Amethyst, It's late, let's get some sleep." Tenya's voice was soft and tender. Her hand gently wrapped around Amethyst's as Tenya gave a little pull into the room.

"Where is Ebba, I thought you would want to be with her." Amethyst said, her face turning red at Tenya's touch. She turned away, trying to hide her flush.

Tenya closed the door and led Amethyst to the bed. She helped pull off the filthy outer layer which clung stickily to Amethyst until she was bare. A small bucket had been placed inside the room with several linen cloths. Amethyst sat down on a small chair, while Tenya began washing Amethyst silently. Though Amethyst was embarrassed to be washed down, she just couldn't move anymore. She lost herself in her own mind once more. She considered the lives lost, and those she took. before she knew it she had been dried off, clothes replaced and she was laying in the bed.

Amethyst realized Tenya hadn't answered the question, as she turned, she saw Tenya facing Amethyst, her clothes removed as she washed herself in the lamplight. Amethyst's eyes wandered up and down, taking in every detail before she realized that Tenya had spotted her. Amethyst pushed the blankets off as her heart set her body ablaze. She faced the wall nervously.

Tenya eventually slid into the bed next to Amethyst. Normally Tenya would be closest to the wall, her back pressed firmly against it while Amethyst would toss and turn on the edge. Tonight, however, Amethyst was the one against the wall, her head pressed against the cold wall. Though her core had burned moment's before and was still quite warm, her skin had grown cold without the blanket.

Amethyst stared at the wall wide eyed as the blanket was thrown over her. Tenya slid behind Amethyst, her bare body pressing against Amethyst's clothed back. Amethyst could feel her curves, causing her to flash hot once more. Tenya pressed her head against the back of Amethyst's neck while her arm wrapped around Amethyst's torso.

Amethyst felt Tenya's body start to shake. She could hear Tenya sniffling. Amethyst pressed back against Tenya, intending to say "I'm here, you are safe." Tenya's grip tightened around Amethyst's stomach as she felt Tenya's hot breath and shuttering form gently start to sob.

There was no feeling quite like the aching in Amethyst's heart. She couldn't help but to feel the tears well into her eyes as she finally allowed herself to relax as well. She hadn't realized it, but she had not relaxed, not truly in almost all her life. She had never really felt safe. But here, wrapped in Tenya's arms, under Hofu's watch instead of Ponáei's, Amethyst felt herself release her long held tension. She felt the same gentle sobbing emanating from herself as well. Her heart banged against her ribs as she finally felt like she wasn't a slave to someone or something else. Here in this moment In the arms of the woman she had grown to love, she was free.

§

(Nightmare)

Amethyst found herself back in the Aqueducts. She was running down the sticky corridors. The canals were filled, not with water, but with the foul substance which had leached its way into the water system. The piles of bodies were vibrating as she sprinted past them. They could hear the sounds of movement. Wet, filled with the moans of dead reanimating, coming to life to keep her alone there in the dark maze of the Aqueducts.

Amethyst looked behind her, there was a wall of bodies, and parts of bodies rolling over themselves after her. They were not gaining on her, but kept a steady distance as they chased her pathway. The stench of thousands of rotting corpses filled her with dread.

"This way!" An unfamiliar voice cried out. She turned to see a shadowy figure peeking up out of a tiny hole in the wall.

The wall was nowhere to be seen, but she could hear it calling for her, like an echo of voices all combined into one being, they cried out "Where are you! We know you are here!"

Amethyst looked back to the small hole, the man whose head had been peeking through it was now tiny, his little figure gesturing for her to follow silently.

"I can't fit!" Amethyst cried, she could feel that the wall was just behind her closing in on her. So she pressed into the hole in the wall. The hole was soft and wet as she stretched it open. She got through the hole as it closed back to its original size. The wall of bodies wailed and screamed out.

She looked out to see the green lush forest in front of her. The wall couldn't get her here. But the cake delivery was going to be late, and she should have delivered it hours ago and now the sun was getting low.

Amethyst hurried into the forest, its leaves falling away, and a dark sky growing ahead of her. She finally got to the lake, and now she could deliver the cake. She suddenly realized that she dropped the cake. This couldn't be happening, Tenya was going to be so disappointed. Amethyst would have to go back and make a new cake.

As she stepped forward, she felt her legs moving in slow motion. She was trying to hurry but the forest floor had started to swallow her up. She screamed as Tenya looked down, her bright rainbow wings, like that of a dove, flapped above her. She tried to cry out, but her mouth was filled with rocks. the more she spat out, the more that came back.

Tenya looked down at her and shook her head. She flapped away as Amethyst was swallowed up into the earth. She felt the dark earthy prison fall away as a man came walking to her. The man's face was familiar. It was the man who she had stabbed.

"Why did you murder me!? If you weren't there, I would be alive!" He was bleeding profusely from the stab wound. Amethyst tried to cover it, but blood kept gushing everywhere. She could barely keep swimming as the blood swelled like mountains around her. She could see Ponáei and Uongo as massive giants looking down at Amethyst while they laughed maniacally. They stuck their tongues out and their tongues wrapped together in a dance as the two began kissing and letting their tongues dance around each other's mouths.

The tongues turned into snakes that slithered around each other, coiling together each one facing a different direction as they had begun to devour each other's tails. They span around in circles above until only one could be seen. A dim sun appeared behind it, turning the snake gold as the sky above turned green. The horizon looked golden as Amethyst peered up at the spiraling snake.

Her head finally bobbed under the blood. All she could see as fell quickly to the bottom was the snake devouring its own tail while circling in front of a dim star behind a golden green horizon.

§

Amethyst woke up startled. She bolted up and looked around the room. Shafts of light illuminated thick clouds of dust. The reflection was bright, but not unwelcome. Amethyst rolled over onto Tenya's side of the bed only to feel the cool sheets, no sliver of warmth remained there. She dropped her feet onto the rough wooden floor while she gathered her hair into a roll at the back of her head. She used a small wooden dowel to hold her hair in place as she stood, only half dressed at this point. She sifted through the mess of clothes Tena had left scattered through the room.

There was a commotion down stairs which had urged Amethyst to get dressed. It wasn't the sound of screaming or the clash of battle. Below her she could hear loud voices eagerly speaking to one another. The random bursts of laughter cheered Amethyst to dress even more quickly. She bumbled out the door, then tried to silently rush down the stairs.

She could smell something delicious cooking, as the conversations became more clear to her. She hurried to the kitchen door only to pause just before entering. Amethyst leaned against the wall and listened briefly to who was talking. Though there were several interesting conversations happening. The one that caught her attention was that of a child and her mighty female voice, recounting an amusing tale from her journey.

Amethyst felt her emotions surge with joy and gratitude. Amethyst decided she had done enough crying for a lifetime and composed herself before entering the kitchen. She could Busara and Agápi's father Listening to Wa Chini recounting a battle he was a part of long before he was thrown into the Sewers. Nuru and Tenya were standing near Ebba. Ebba's large fluffy mane was just like that of Tenya's. Her little face looked like Tenya as well. Ebba really did look exactly like her mother.

Amethyst's mood was dampened somewhat by the smooth scar which ran the width of Ebba's neck, just above the collar bone. But her mood quickly soared as Ebba grinned widely and scrunched her nose. Her eyes were also squeezed tightly as she giggled profusely. All the while Stochastís was sitting with Hofu, their backs towards an open window, the sun highlighting their messy unkempt hair. They had soft smiles as they conversed quietly, each occasionally glancing up to see the conversations.

Stochastís looked up and smiled wider as he noticed Amethyst. She nodded in acknowledgement and he returned his full attention back to Hofu. Amethyst looked back around to see Tenya was looking her way. Their eyes met, and Tenya's smile widened just as Stochastís's had. Well not exactly the same, Tenya's gave Amethyst a warm feeling. Tenya gestured Amethyst to approach. Making her way through the loose crowd, Amethyst stood face to face with Tenya. Tenya wrapped her arm around the small of Amethyst's back and faced her towards Ebba.

"This is Amethyst, the woman Who helped me to find you." Tenya had a gentle way of speaking that she hadn't heard before. There was a deeper tenderness, like any sharp words could reopen the wound Ebba had received.

"Thank you miss Amethyst!" Ebba wrapped her arms around Amethyst like lightning. as quick as she had hugged her, she was off. Ebba wasted no time running through the kitchen. She was surprisingly agile as she dashed to Wa Chini. She wrapped her small arm around his in a little hug. Wa Chini raised the arm she had hugged and placed it on her head before she ran off from him too.

Nuru gave a warm smile to Amethyst and Tenya. She slowly walked with careful steps towards a small bench. She lowered herself onto the bench then placed her hand onto the center of her chest. She drew breath slowly and winced lightly.

"She overworked herself." Tenya said. "I gleaned that much in our conversations. if you can call it such."

"What do you mean?" Amethyst said worriedly.

"Ebba spent the most time talking." Tenya's smile hadn't faltered as she turned towards Ebba, who had a small roll and was under a table snacking away at it. "She picked up the language much better than I have."

"Makes sense." Amethyst crossed her arms. Her tail was swaying back and forth freely while she spoke. "It was that or punishment."

"Yeah..." Tenya said glumly. "It's also embarrassing when your kid is translating for you."

"Well, on the brighter side, I don't have to do all the work anymore."

Tenya snorted before letting out a short laugh. "Is that what you get out of it?" Tenya's smile had returned.

Amethyst mingled around, saying her good mornings. The breakfast was that of goat, which had been smothered in a cream over some plant Amethyst had not seen, along with rolls of bread that were flaky and smothered in honey. Chunks of dates and other sweets were stuffed in as well.

After half the day had gone by, Amethyst met with Stochastís and Hofu.

"I am working on getting your passage back to Melydaesos." Hofu said just after gulping down a glass of wine. "Once the passage is secured, I'll be able to give enough of a payment to fund your trip home, with extra."

"That is very generous of you." Amethyst said, pressing a cup to her lips. There was the smell of sweet honey and figs mixed with alcohol. Then there was a light burn as the overly sweet drink ran over her tongue warming her throat. She placed the cup down and had no intention of picking it back up.

"It is not charity, my friend." Stochastís said, gulping down his glass. "He is paying you what he feels is proper for bringing him here and helping him reclaim his titles."

"We did not do much..." Amethyst said humbly.

"Nonsense." Hofu responded. "Without you, I would be in Stone Town." He looked towards Agápi, who stood and took up a pitcher. Agápi refilled the barren cups, but left Amethyst alone. She gave a knowing smile to Amethyst before pouring a cup for herself and sitting on a small chair in the corner of the room. "Now," He pointed towards a rough map on the table in front of him. "You shall depart from the port at the mouth of the river." He slid his finger along the winding path. "Then we will have a couple ships transfer you along with your payment to Melydaesos."

"That is where I come in." Stochastís said while sipping on his glass instead of gulping it. "I will help provide passage around these mountains and back up into Hyperia." His finger drew along the rest of the map, but his finger went off the map onto the table where it rested. "Don't worry we will be able to get an up to date map of the region later."

"So... what do we do?" Amethyst said curiously.

"Simple." Hofu started. "You relax and let us get you home." Hofu gulped his wine down, but didn't look for a refill.

"We don't want to be a burden." Amethyst said, her tail coming up to rest its tip in her hands to squeeze.

"In the Asharen culture, it is considered rude to turn down an offer of this nature, especially from someone like Hofu." Stochastís confirmed with a devilish smile.

"Well I don't mean to offend." Amethyst said with a bow. "I accept your help then."

Hofu laughed as Amethyst looked up to him. "It's all in good fun and high spirit, no need to bow, please enjoy while I renovate this old place into a new one." Hofu had a large smile as he began talking details with Stochastís.

§

A few days passed by quickly as Amethyst and the others prepared to leave this place behind. At some point in those days, both Ponáei and Uongo managed to kill themselves in their separate prisons. Hofu had wept, but was seeing everyone off with a smile.

Just outside the city, they were going to meet with a Caravanner Who happened to be going north, towards Melydaesos. Everyone was in high spirits. Tenya and Ebba were making up for their lost time, while Wa Chini and Busara were laughing. Stochastís and his remaining servants chose to walk alongside us instead of having a dedicated cart. Nuru, though, was still not feeling fully better. It had taken a lot out of her to save Ebba. She was on a camel resting between two humps.

Amethyst waved goodbye to Hofu and to the rest of his household which she had become so familiar with. Amethyst stopped just before exiting the courtyard. She drew up the creaky bucket from the old well and had just one last drink before departing that place. She had no desire to ever see any of it ever again.