Port Cos, Turn 9

Garden District Parade of Happiness

There was good news spreading across the Garden District. With the absorption of the Slaving District being taken in by both the Valleran Academy and Brooklane, and the withdrawal of military minded Arian guards from the Port Cos borders, it appears peace has found a home in the Garden District.

The past hand celebrated 1 whole passing without any attacks or disruptions into the artistic avenues of the city.

In celebration of this historic event, several parades were conducted which transvered from the West Village, through Central through the stands of Theater Park and ending in Abby Lane, the last place of standoffs that occured during the Ostia Overthrow.

With peace talks having been concluded and a truce found between the good people of the Garden District and the Lakes of Ostia, it appears the citizens that reside among the central gardens will find an increase in productivity and work.

Market projectionist and upstanding Scribe caste member Alonzo Marsio was quoted as "predicting good economic turnaround for those that depend on their talents to make ends meet. A good relationship between the two districts could only benefit the overall public and the city of Port Cos in general. "

The Magistrate of the Garden District, Lady Deva Giselle, has only recently been spotted out in public again, after her horrifying ordeal with rumor has it, a Taharian Kidnapper. * No interviews have been granted though the lady has signed a few contracts with shippers to help increase support and add to the Theater district props coliation, There is confirmed news that the Lady and a relatively newcomer to the city, Lune Raven, have shared wine of companionship and are expecting their first child. This comes on the heels of a failed relationship with the Lady Magistrate to the former Arian Son, Furius Titanius, Who if one remembers was ran out the city by Lady Ostia of Lakes Ostia.

Overall, it appears that the Garden District is on the rise and is looking towards a bright future in the next coming hands!

On side note - We wish the Lady Ostia a speedy recovery from her attack.

*this information has not yet been established and can not be taken as fact.

Port Cos Struggle for Domination Turn 8

PORT COS NEWS

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS WITH COS ANNOUNCED
Senate tribunes and houses represented are invited to join diplomatic journey to Cos during the commencement of diplomatic negotiations between the cities of Port Cos and Cos. As there is no Administrator for Port Cos, terms of treaties and policies will be subject to senate voting.

OSTIA ATTACKED BY BANDITS!
Bandits attacked the coach of the Lady Ostia late last hand. The lady was shot through the shoulder with an arrow. Reception to her sick bed was held for one night. Ostia claims it was the work of men hired by Furius Titanius seeking revenge.

RENALDI HEIRS BORN!
Twin boy and girl were born to the Renaldi family and christened Valor and Vanessa Renaldi. The first to arrive was a baby girl crying out into the night. It was music to the ears of her mother. Next to arrive and reluctant to leave the comfort of the womb, was the Magistrate's son. Tiny fists were held clenched already in defiance of the world.

LUCIAN SIMON JOINED!
A companionship ceremony was held for Lucian and Bonnie Simon at the House Silver Stylus on the Avenue of Turia City of Ar. Agrippa Pontus and the Lady Ostia were in attendance.

CYRUS GENT ATTACKS LUCIAN SIMON
Cyrus Gent of the old fortress and Ar's station veterans brigade was witnessed attacking Lucian Simon in the park at end of hand. Cyrus Gent demanded the return of the east docks just prior to the attack. One of the Consuls slave girl was taken in the melee and is now in the possession of Cyrus Gent.

OLD VALLERAN ACADEMY TAKES CONTROL OF THE SQUARE.

BROOKLANE SCRIBES GAIN CONTROL OF THE EAST DOCKS

AR’S STATION VETERANS TAKE CONTROL OF SOUTH AND WEST DOCKS

Eating Tasta While Port Cos Burns

       Ostia took Mara to an elegant restaurant café overlooking the city. It was several floors above the slavers row which her mistress now controlled, through a system of leveraged loans, which the wealthy estates of Port Cos used to evict, and extort fees and levies from those who wished to stay in their family homes. Ostia was seated on a golden cushion upon an elegant high backed chair with ornate arm rests and pretty Mara had her own golden cushion for her little bottom. It was just dusk and they were there early. Just at the time they light the candles and the clouds fight with the sun.
       Well, it was such a lovely night and Mara had taken strands of her hair from the sides near her ears, and pulled them back to a small half pony tail atop her head, with a small ribbon tying off the hair, no bow just knotted, and flowing down in just two strands of deep blue ribbon. Her silks of course match, with a little bit of lace edging the straps and bottom. She kneels there by her Mistress, odd, not to be serving, but one can just be glad for the break.
       "This place looks, very elegant, my Mistress."
       “It is very elegant, look around, describe it to me, what do you see here little slave, and might I add that you are dressed very sweetly, for the occasion.”
       Ostia was dressed in red and black with an over bust corset that plumped her deliciously, but the bare skin of her shoulders was covered with lacy shawl and a fur wrap. Her hair was straight and down the side. A slave girl came out and brought them a tray of tea service and one was set in front of Mara too. A little bowl of sugar and creamer were there with the little silver pot of tea for them to refill from, and a vase with a tulip in it.
       “You may drink with me this is our dinner,” she told Mara before dismissing the girl.
       Mara is absolutely delighted by everything and she takes a look around,
       "I see a nicely set atmosphere with tables that are very well set up for service. The candles add a nice soft setting that makes it seem close to that night I had set the candles in the bathing room, very soft lighting. The paintings on the walls are done to add to it, with one that looks like, a sailing boat, or is that some kind of travel boat? And that floral one is very pretty, adding color. They have set it up very pretty, my Mistress. I see another woman over there, at a table over, and though she is not dressed as finely as you, she looks to be enjoying herself.”
       “Yes it is,” she finally answered. She took her time tonight and relaxed picking and choosing her words and motions very carefully. She leaned in and the light black fur gently swivels with her shoulders, teased around her cleavage and over lace. Her hands were careful with the tea, delicately perched on the handle, her other hand lift her veils just enough to reveal her soft full red lips that touched the little porcelain and sipped the tea ever so demurely.
       Down in the streets below the café they could see a gathering of people with banners and torches, beginning to form in the widest intersection between the buildings. Meanwhile, on the balcony a musician came out to play a flute.
       “I wanted to treat you tonight because you have really been such a good girl. Is there anything you haven’t eaten for some time that you have been craving my slave girl?”
       "Really?! Oh thank you my Mistress, this is the best treat ever." She wanted to kiss her feet, but she refrains and keeps her kneel. Thinking a moment as she ooohs and ahhs to the people down below, the balconies are amazing. Then the musician and Mara is entranced by the sweet tune played.
       "Hmm, I have not had, tasta or minced ice with flavoring in a long time." She turns a smile to her that loosely curled blonde hair caressing her shoulders where bare, as she turns her head left and right. She feels so special tonight.
       "Tasta for dessert then, and for your meal what about little cubes of verr with mint jelly, honey carrots and a little salad my precious girl?" Mollycoddled like an infant! Oh kings what would people say when they found out she were feeding her like a little princess. The crowd down below in the street was getting bigger and louder, even the flute was now mingled with the flute playing.
       "I wonder what that is down there?" she said lazily and idly while she luxuriates in the tea which was perfect for the warmth of the night air. The sun was now down on the river peeking through a thick cloud. Ostia crossed her legs and dangle her heel which was wrapped in a rudofksy with a little tassel on the crossover at her toes. A couple came out to the balcony and shared glasses of wine watching the sunset.
       "That sounds delicious, my Mistress. Yes, please. I have not had verr with mint jelly, well any of that." She responds softly, with that warm and loving smile to her. She tilts her head to the railing of the balcony, peering down at the people in the streets.
       "Maybe, there is some kind of riot or a procession?" Curiously she says, and then looks to her Mistress.. A push of of her breasts, tonight's silks fall with a low neckline that reveal more than half of her pressed together, breasts. Turning her head to watch her Mistress, the simple motion of crossing her legs, is enticing to Mara and she breathes in deep, slowly exhaling.
       "How has your day been today, my Mistress?”
       “My day was rather lovely as I am sure you know since you saw me sleeping almost the entire day and are just being nice to me I know. I bought you a little present.” Ostia told Mara and reached around to her other side, then pulled out a little box wrapped with paper by her mistress own hand. It had a little pink bow on it. Just as she handed it to her there was the sound of breaking glass down in the street below. The big crowd of people started marching and shouting a chant, something about better wages.
       Mara would whispery laugh at that,
       "But, my Mistress, just because you were in bed all day, could not mean you enjoyed it much. And yes, it was nice to see you relaxing for the entire day, my Mistress." Mara glances to the commotion and then brought her attention around at hearing her words, looking to the presented gift wrapped box and then to her Mistress' face, her breath caught in her throat.
       "A gift, I have only received a few and your handmade blanket was the best I have ever gotten, but another." She says with breathless wonder and she lifts her hands, a little shaky to accept it and look it over, reaching to pinch at the bow with her fingers, more toying with it, as it's so cute!
       "Thank you, my Mistress. I hope those people out there do not cause trouble." She says softly, but her attention remained on the gift and she held a breath in her lungs, as she starts to open it, being so careful, to not tear the wrapping, and then setting the ribbon aside, a little odd for her to keep it all?
       Neither of them seemed to care at all about the trouble in the street, more glass was broken and then a fire broke out and a big peal of black smoke lifted into the air and curved over toward the sunset which was orange. Up high, there was a big patch of blue in the sky where the sky was still lit up in the clouds. From out of no where a whole other group of people came pouring out of the alley shouting and yelling some sort of war cry. They were carrying big sticks like bats and wore yellow arm bands on their arms. They just poured out attacking the crowd of workers. The screams of women and children could be heard mixing in the violence.
       A slave girl came up and Ostia ordered them cubed verr with mint jelly, and sifters of flavored liquor with honeyed carrots and a salad. The flute player on the balcony played a happy snobbish little tune while Ostia bought dinner for herself and a slave girl, while below the people riot and the city began to burn. And inside the box she had given her was a pair of gold plated earrings and a shiny gold plated belly chain, and something even to put in her navel
       "My, ears are to be pierced, my Mistress?" And oooh, she lowers her hand and reaches to finger that belly chain, she cannot wait to put it on and that what is it, something to put, she tilts her head to the side. "They are beautiful, .my Mistress. I this,. Thank you so much."
       “You are very welcome my dear Mara.” she said softly as she watched the goings on below as if it were a parade.
       “A toast my dear slave girl, to us.” She said lifting the little glass to Mara and nodding to her to do the same.
       As she did this a horrific shouting roar was blistering through the streets below and men had mounted the roofs of the buildings throwing down burning pots of oil onto the crowd catching men on fire who careened through the streets like tops of flame. The firemen of the city came tearing down the side street ringing a heavy belly and shouting as the uniformed fire men got out the hoses and buckets. A phalanx of the cities military was seen coming down the street but they too were caught up in the melee and could not seem to disengage the gang members from the blood bath.
       “To our continued happiness,” Ostia said.
       Mara recloses the box and sets it right near her cushion, when that snifter came Mara lifts it up and sniffs at it and looking to her Mistress, The sounds she pushes out of her mind, she cannot hear it and will not listen.
       "Here here." She says softly, "and enjoyed company."
       “And enjoyed company.” She replied and tipped the sifter up under her veils drinking down all the heady flavors of the liquor in one little swallow.
       Down below in the streets the riot had gotten completely out of control and the fires were no better. The firemen tried valiantly to put them out with their hoses and buckets but it seemed like every time one would be extinguished another would start. There was now a clash of steel among the crowds As men fought savagely over their principles, some for rights some for vengeance, some for just the need for more food driven to the streets by the ravishes of poverty. The military phalanx was driving a wedge into the crowd as it swirled and rippled like an amoeba, a living organism of gangs fighting in the street. Giant plumes of water began to shoot up into the sky to fight the fires while the pillars of smoke lifted up into the beautiful sunset which the well dressed citizens in the balcony cafe celebrated with fine wines and rich food.
       “I think that tomorrow we should go for a walk around the lake, perhaps play a game of net and butterfly on the grass, or lawn bowling. we could wear white shoes.” She sighed as the liquor warmed her belly.
       "That tasted, pretty good, my Mistress." Mara watches her Mistress and then she lifts it to her own lips and tilts her head, drinking it all and her eyes widen as she lowers the glass, feeling it slide down her throat and she clears it quickly, tasting it and not at all used to it's taste, feeling it slide all the way down along within her. She sets the glass down to be taken when ready and she glances to her Mistress. A small turn of her head to look over the balcony and below, horrible, and Mara breathes in deeply, then slowly exhales it as she looks away, and rather to the beautiful sight of her Mistress.
       "Yes, or we could have a swimming race, .maybe." She says but with a lighter tone to her voice and the warmth spreads through her system just a little.
       After only two days in this city Gen had come to a conclusion. This place was messed up. First there was the "show" she had seen last night which was nothing more then the public use of a girl and now there was a riot and there was poor Gen in the wrong place at the wrong time. She had managed to duck into alleyways and stay away from most people. She had only been seen twice and both times she had managed to outrun or out hide her pursuers. As she headed down the street the back door to the cafe opened and the Kitchen master told her to take refuge inside. She figured it was better then staying out in the fires and violence so she quickly took him up on his offer hurrying inside. She was dressed in rather plain looking brown robes. her long hair flowing down to her shoulders. After leading her to one of the empty tables he went off to get her food. Nibbling on her lower lip she sat down deliberately avoiding looking over the balcony at the violence and carnage below
       Ostia turned her head to see they had let a commoner in the restaurant and she was rather put off by it. But she turned her attention back to Mara and their little party and then said,
       ”Mara you seem to have something on your mind lately, you don't seem very talkative. Was there something you wanted to tell me? Something you are worried about? up here on the balcony they exist with all this luxury and ease while the people of the city struggled just to get bread. Whether this was a food riot or a wage riot or a battle between the people of two opposing houses it was impossible to know but the noise of the fighting below continued to trickle up to them while the flute player lilt on in a merry way
       Gen's situation was unique She was just thankful that she was given refuge from everything going on. When the woman looked to her she nodded to her. What she was surprised about was how the two could be so calm.
       "How can you be so calm with everything going on?"
       "I did feel a little worried about below, just would not want anything happen to you. But, I am enjoying myself. And apologize for my not being as talkative.. I will stop worrying about what may not happen, my Mistress." She reached a hand up to tuck an errant strands of blonde hair behind her cute little ear, which may one day have earrings.
       “Would you like to put on the belly chain”” She was purposefully ignoring the commoner as the sound of the riot was going on below and the smoke filled the sunset sky. You could smell it just a little bit that burnt wood and death smell coming up to the balcony cafe but the owners sent out slave girls with little pots of incense to wave around in the air and chase the smell away. Finally Ostia turned to Genevieve and asked her
       “I’m sorry what do you mean dear?” just then the slave girl came out with their little salads in the expensive china plates and Ostia picked up her tines to begin to eat the greens that the people in the street below could not find in the market lately.
       She was very likely eating food now that the others down there would kill for. When she heard Ostia's response she looked at her eyes wide
       "What I mean? The riot? The burning buildings, all the violence going on. Aren't you at least a little worried? I mean what if someone decides to set this building on fire"
       “Oh its way over there,” She said because it was way over there, they could see it because they were so high up in the building its just the people. The meal itself was brought out and left for them. The china and the food itself in tiny portions of cubed verr with the bright green mint jelly. The carrots so bright next to it like a perfect color wheel. Ostia ate pleasantly while there was a full on clash of riot control and crowd below and the whole thing seemed to erupt again into a blowout.
       “Oh the salad was lovely don’t you think?” A series of burning oil pots were dumped on the crowd in the street causing a cacophony of screams.
       To be served, .is not something a slave could ever get used to, aside from what your owners give you and that is a precious gift in itself. So, she would thank the slave or slaves each time they did something with that bright and happy smile. She mmm'ed after the first bite and then stopped for a moment,
       "Yes, my Mistress, very lovely. I liked it and maybe I could repeat it sometime." She lifts her tea and sips it gently,
       She nearly fell out of her chair when she heard the screams of the people as hot oil was poured on them. She was definitely glad that she had gotten out of the streets even if she wasn't one of the rioters. She doubted that the soldiers would really pick and choose who they attacked now
       The sun went down and they dined extravagantly on fine food and drink while the city burned down below making their small talk and getting high in expensive liquor. By the time they brought the tasta they were both feeling very good and their plates were long pushed away. Ostia reclined half turned in the chair and rubbed her hand along the arm chair while she watched her girl with a smile on her face.
       “Well this was lovely don’t you think? She asked as the tasta was laid out for Mara alone like she was a spoiled little rich girl. Go head and eat it she purred behind her veils, the bill was brought and it was ridiculous how much it cost even for this place. All the prices were going up all over the city
       Hearing Ostia she nearly lost it on the woman. This is lovely? There was a riot going on. There were people suffering all around while this woman wined and dined and treated her slave to expensive food. She managed not to say anything though. To actually go off on the woman would be stupid. After all it was this cafe owner who was giving her sanctuary and a free meal and she didn't want to offend any of his patrons and for all she knew the woman might be his friend
       "Yes, this has been great and so enjoyable, my Mistress." Glancing to the tasta and then to her again. "You do not want any, my Mistress?" She lifts up the tasta by its stick and she slips it into her mouth. It has sweet syrup on it She slides it out of her mouth with a low slurp.
       “Thank you very much, my Mistress this is one of the best days ever." She slips the tasta into her mouth again and licks it.
       “Oh no I am perfect just as I am.” She did spoil the girl but what good was it to have such a good handmaiden if you couldn't spoil her and give her little baubles to decorate her with.
       “It is one of the best days ever isn't it? the perfect continuation of our hand. It really has been quite eventful hasn’t it? Our little outings in the carriage and all the people we met. I can’t wait to do it again all over.” she smiled then paid the bill and left it on the table.
       "It has been great fun this week, speaking to people from the carriage." She whispery laughs at the remembrance. "We would do it again? I cannot wait, my Mistress. Maybe tajah could come sometime. You have made carriage rides so much more exciting than they usually are."
       “Oh and with tajah they would be devilish wouldn't they?” Then Ostia lead her girl out of the cafe and took her down to the carriage to get a safe ride home to the grand villa on the lake far away from all the struggles of real people

Port Cos News and Updates

Port Cos News and Updates

Tal, to all of you who are passing through. Please pass this update on to anyone I have missed.

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Senate Vote on Administrator's Powers Inconclusive!
Western District tribunes abstained from voting

Q to the floor: The next administrator should have the right to sexual use of any one in Port Cos,
Yay, 16 Nay 21

Inconclusive

Q to the floor: The next administrator shall have the right to levy a one time tribute from all magistrates and district landlords,
Yay 20 Nay? 11

Inconclusive

Q to the floor, The next administrator will receive an oath of fealty from all magistrates and land owners upon seating,
Yay 25 or Nay? 6

Inconclusive

Senate will hold a re-vote on these and other issues in upcoming hands

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Deva Giselle and Meri Returned to Port Cos!

Deva Giselle and her companion Meri Lee (?) were discovered being held by a man in Ar by Deva Giselle's Brother Silas Giselle. They have both been returned, relatively unharmed.

Merchants Continue to Revolt in Market District!

Vandalism and outright violence continue to plague the Street of Brands and Market district.

Assassin Sighted in Port Cos!

A member of the Black caste has been sighted in Port Cos. No word on whether he is part of the band of assassins originally holding the old fortress or unaffiliated.

Distribution Warehouses Shut Down at the Docks!

Cyrus Gent and Damo Crotona have shut down the flow of good from the distribution warehouse at the docks. Prices are rising and shortages continue throughout the city. Rumor has it, they are demanding the rest of the cities land owners allow them to take over the market and Street of Brands district unopposed. If their demands are met the Crotona Union workers will go back to work at the locked up warehouses.

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Houses! Turn in your move orders for turn 8 asap!

Anyone who wants to be an author on the web site please email me.

All city info, maps, SL plots, and links to citizen blogs available on web site http://portcos.blogspot.com/

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Port Cos Struggle for Domination Turn 7

Post Cos News:

Titanius Clan offers sale on its leases.
The market district and street of brands in Port Cos were once again thrown into the unknown as the 7 tribunes assembled by Furius Titanius in Port Cos packed up their offices and moved to quarters unknown. The Street of brands district with it Cadres of roving ex military from Ar had become a contentious place in Port Cos. Once encompassing Bridgemont and Silk Street, the Titanius clan made their presence known in a series of clashes with neighborhood residents early on, extorting tribute and fealty from home owners with military efficiency.

Several hands ago, a conflict began with the incursion of Titanius militia into the southern district of Valleran academy. This move, combined with the pressure by Brooklane to regain the old academy building itself, put the Valleran Academy on the defensive while it expanded its staff to include the peasants of nearby farms.
This loss however, did not stop Torrin Graves of the Valleran from regaining the loyalty of his southern quarter in the following hands, in what seemed a coordinated effort with the scribes of Brooklane. Buoyed by his success at the Academy building now known as Claremont, Lucian Simon moved to imprint his philosophy on the people of Bridgemont with great success. From that time forward, the conflict sea-saw back and forth, with roving bands of Titanius militia alternately extorting loyalty from citizens, while patient charitable scribes spread bread and promises through out the arias and alley ways. Eventually, the militias won out and the Titanius clan expanded their power dramatically, taking over most of the market district and reclaiming the entire street of brands under their militaristic control.

Rumor has it that the Titanius clan was undone by a woman when in recent hands, the now powerful Titanius territory came under sudden attack by all of its neighboring districts, in a coordinated conspiracy that robbed the Titanius territory of Bridgemont and Silk Street, a blow that was softened however, by their expansion into the Brewery quarters. (More to that story in future additions.) However nothing seems to have foreshadowed the clans sudden departure from their holdings, which have left the center of a the city a virtual free for all for opposing magistrates trying to gain influence among the people, before the upcoming session of Port Cos's newly formedSenate.

More on this story as it develops, but what we do know now is that the newcomer Cyrus Gent had taken advantage of the situation to claim Main Street under the control of what appears to be retired veterans from the Ar's station conflict, brothers who we have long accepted as our own here in Port Cos. The wealthy land owners of the Lake Ostia district have curiously expanded into Slavers row, a development that many will be watching very closely.

Additional News:
Scribes lecture series in the brothels to reformed whores, interrupted by Crotona family goons. Lecture hall damaged, Sex workers left wondering who they can trust.

Welcome to Port Cos?

CorruptQuill: "I don't think so. There is wine already stocked at the house, and we can make juice from what we have here. I get regular meat and vegetable deliveries from the farms, and I told them in advance we'd be coming. The paper is also
CorruptQuill: delivered daily, so I can catch up on any news I may have missed." Putting the wrapped fish in the basket, and giving over the coins, it was then he heard a ruckus again. This time though, not just old friends in comradery. Someone
CorruptQuill: had been gouged with a supporter's sign, and a fist fight was breaking out. Dotty was so excited she was turning pink, and Henry was sending the Scribe a look that said he could take one two or three if given the chance. He was
CorruptQuill: itching for it clearly, popping his knuckles again. The Scribe took Nat by the arm to steer her out of the markets, and Henry went for it. Well, so much for the guard, and Dotty stayed behind to watch. Or pull some slave hair
CorruptQuill: herself, he didn't want to know. Just as they reached the edge of the market, he looked back. A cart had been toppled, and demonstrators in support of the Brewer were on the move. "Come on." Getting ahold of Natali's hand, he
CorruptQuill: crossed the street, and went down one of the alleys:
NataIi Lockhart: Alright, so Natali had a sixth sense. Her eyes had widened as the all the activities started turning south, and her stomach and chest tensed. Hand around his arms sort of turned into a grip of Scribe proportion and she looked over
NataIi Lockhart: her shoulder to see Henry doing what he does best, and Dotty getting in on the action as she could. All Natali could think for a moment was something about how that slave better not go and get herself killed. Nat paid good money
NataIi Lockhart: for her. Looking forward again as they went into an alley, her breathing calmed a little bit and she looked to Lucian. "Well that was.. exciting." Port Cos. This was going to be an interesting place, and for once Natali thought
NataIi Lockhart: it might be best she not wander out alone during their stay. -d
CorruptQuill: "Hmm, yes.." She had calmed down, but he had not. Because he knew where they were headed. The Market was in the Brewer's territory, and they were on the march in the same direction as the alley he'd just drawn Natali into. The whole
CorruptQuill: mass was on the way to the Street of Brands, now that Furius was gone, and the only way to reach the Brook Lane owned by the Scribe was by going the same direction as the mob. Limp aside, he forced his strides into longer ones, and
CorruptQuill: put a hand to Natali's back to hurry her along. Glances taken back now and again, because they had the whole breadth of the district to get through before safety was actually reached. More signs. And now voices upraised. Some in
CorruptQuill: song, about the Brewer himself, others in mutiny against what had been Furius's treatment of the people along the border. The cobblestones were uneven, so the walk was not as simple as it might appear:

NataIi Lockhart: Wait. Where were they going now? Her brows lifted, then came together in concern as she listened to the voices and songs and all that coming from before them. And Natali nearly dug her feet into the ground to a stop, his
NataIi Lockhart: hand getting pressed back as well in this. Lucian's steps were different. A stride Natali did not know and she looked to the mouth of the alley in front of them then over to Lucian. Breathe Natali. Breathe. Samuel will be there
NataIi Lockhart: when it's all done. He was probably sitting in a room right now waiting for a book. Just.. walk. Right. Her chin lifted to help down that swallow that was sort of stuck in her throat before starting up her stride again. Uneven
NataIi Lockhart: pavement. Lots of noises. Lucian walking funny. Angry people. Drunk people. Not Scribe people. Her lower lip dissapeared under her teeth and she did all she could not to lower her eyes to stare at her feet. Breathe and go in
NataIi Lockhart: the direction his hand pressed her towards. Check. -d
CorruptQuill: His leg hated this pace, and it wasn't ordinarily one he could keep up long, but if it was the difference between leg pain later and maybe getting taken down by the crowd, he'd choose the former. Natali had stopped, and he looked
CorruptQuill: back in the direction they'd come, the mob having gained people as it swept through the market, and the distance was only about a block between where they were present and he stood with Natali. Moving his hand from her back when she
CorruptQuill: began to walk again, he suddenly opened a doorway off to the right, and pulled her in after him. Pitch black, inky darkness, and stale air. But soon after the swell of humanity pushed by with knocks on the brick wall outside, going
CorruptQuill: through in a tidal wave, that only trickled to nothing after about five ehn. His basket set down, and drawing Natali toward him so her back was to him, his hand clamped over her mouth-veils and all. Yes, welcome to Port Cos: