The square was heavy with the sound of chatter and footsteps, people were packed so tightly that hot breath could be felt on one's neck if they were to brave the sea of bodies that moved to and fro.
Crowds. That was something Sadia couldn't stand. Too many people, too many chances to get stabbed in the back by someone who might recognize her. She was never keen on being around people, much less when they gather in such great numbers, especially when some of them are liable to gut you. Dawn, on the other hand, seized this opportunity. The young man hesitated not when it came to mingling with the common folk of Alderan. In one moment, he's talking to a raggedy alchemist who's looking to peddle his so-called "miracle" potions and in the other, he's being solicited by the "finest" women of the night, who just happen to be working overtime during the day.
Needless to say, keeping an eye on the young pilgrim proved to be more trouble than it was worth. Sadia gave up trying to follow him through the cobbled streets.
She sat on a bench, far enough away as not to be bothered by the crowd, close enough to still see the young man walk amongst the masses.
The keep loomed over the square, its shadow a promise of shelter to anyone who lay below it. The keep was as she left it. Black. Cold. Shiny on the outside. It was the same as before, a foolish display of persistence and vainglory. Sadia held little love for it, she seemed to be the only person in the world harboring that feeling. Her eyes snapped back to Crimson Dawn, he was now talking to two of the guards who were keeping watch over the square from the wayside.
Still, her mind lay troubled, she could not shake off what happened just two nights before. These last two days, she found herself jumping at shadows, the slightest noise making her hands reach for the blade beneath her clothes. She knew not who "he" sent after her, she'd have to find that out before she could get as much as a modicum of revenge.
She chose to keep the letter secret, it wasn't meant for Dawn anyway. No, it was meant for her and her only. It was written in the old tongue after all, it spoke of her friend, of her past. It lit a fire under her and yet, she had no way to smother it.
Stuck. For now, at least. All she could do was to wait, whoever "he" sent for her will have to show themselves sooner or later. Until then, all she has to do is keep a close eye on Crimson Dawn and her wits about her.
Dawn seemed to be having the time of his life. This must be the first time he's ever left that temple of his. This world must be new to him, a stray seed of curiosity always sprouts when one is placed in an unfamiliar environment. No wonder he's indulging himself, the anticipation he felt for this moment must have been great. Looking at the young man, she realized that he was alike to her old friend in more ways than she initially thought.
Wasn't he just as curious?
And, where was he now? Dead. Buried. Dug up. Fingers cut off. Where was she even going with this?
He moved from the corner, falling in with a circle of well-dressed men, merchants no doubt. She looked on, arms crossed as she slumped back on the bench. The sound of tiny feet on stone rang out. Looking to her right, her eyes were met by a little bundle of darkness.
A cat. A black cat. The furry little beast was moving along the edge of the street, the sound of little paws tapping the stone accompanying its every move. It came into view, only to lock eyes with Sadia. It was fully black with the exception of two white patches of fur around its green eyes.
Neither of them moved. Then, the cat slowly stepped forward. Sadia mustered her meanest gaze, her face contorting in order to scare it away but it was of no use, the cat cared not for it, jumping onto the bench as soon as it was within reach. It closed in on her with no fear, rubbing against her thigh.
She wasn't sure why but she let her hand drift toward the dark fur. It was soft. Softer than anything she has felt in a while. Warm too. The cat peered upwards, two big emerald pools staring straight into Sadia's soul with a soothing gaze. Sadia lost herself in those green jewels, her entire body easing in her seat. A stone had been lifted from her chest by this small creature, each purr and each rub making her grin just a little bit wider.
And then, she gazed back at the square. The sea of people was stuck in perpetual motion. The mass of bodies moved back and forth akin to leaves in the wind, each wave breaking on the stone of the stairways that led out of the square. Something was amiss.
Dawn. Where's Dawn?
At first, she wasn't worried when she couldn't see him, considering how packed the market was. His robes. His build. His hair. All of that made him easy to pick out of a crowd but Sadia couldn't. He wasn't there. No young man darting back and forth. No blue and gray sticking out against the warm colors of the square. She blinked, slow and deliberate, willing him to appear. He didn't.
She leapt to her feet, walking hurriedly toward the dancing tide of people that filled the square, sparing one last glance at the fluffy beast that had distracted her. It was loafing on the bench, staring unflinchingly at Sadia. Not just curious - no, it was staring right through her. She swallowed hard.
She took the same route Crimson Dawn had. She asked around, racing between all the people he had spoken to. That swindler of an alchemist was entirely useless, the day-working women of the night were not much better either but at least they didn't smell like cow dung and ash. She spoke to the guards but she knew they would be of little use as soon as she approached them, she could feel the smell of sweet grapes on their breath.
A cold bead of sweat slowly trickled down her back, her throat dry from all the talking and running. The buildings, the stalls, even the keep itself - all bowed inwards ever so slightly. She knew it wasn't real. That didn't make it any easier to breathe.
"Why do I even care?", she stopped in the middle of the crowd. That was a good question. People raced around her from every side. Was there even a cause for concern? It's noon, not exactly the perfect time to try to shank someone, especially with so many people around. There's no doubt that Dawn could find his way back after wandering away, he's no child. But then again, what if "he" was here with them?
What then? Oh, she knew what would follow and she didn't like it, not one bit. She started looking around, catching splintered glimpses in between the figures of people walking by. On one side, a stall manned by an older woman, selling clothing that looked way too baggy to be comfortable or stylish. On the other, a young man with an array of fiddles placed upon a piece of cloth by his feet, all carved out of pale wood and ready to be played.
She saw him, one of the merchants Dawn was speaking to. He was standing just a bit away, talking to an older-looking man.
People. Too many people. It proved difficult to wade through the crowd. By the time Sadia reached the merchant, her legs were sapped of strength, taking in shallow breaths.
"You!", she pointed at the young man who was leaning against one of the stalls, breathing through her mouth, panting akin to an exhausted hound, "Were you talking to a boy just now?".
His gaze snapped in her direction, his eyes a cool blue that shone through strands of wild hair. She didn't like it, his eyes were devoid of the light she saw in all the other gazes up until now.
"Boy? What boy are you talking about?". His voice had a strange texture to it, a strange mix of tone and pitch, not at all what she was expecting.
"Were you talking to a guy with long hair?
The young man raised his hand to his partner before he could speak, each finger sporting a silver ring, "Please, do go on.".
"Did you speak to a young man with longer hair just a few moments ago? He was wearing some funny-looking clothes, you couldn't have missed him.", her throat clenched like a fist.
"Oh, that one.", he put a hand on his chest, his fingers touching the cold silver of the large necklace that hung from his neck, "Quite a handful, that lad. Never stops talking, does he? He yours?".
"Something like that..", she muttered, a grin slowly cracking on her face as she took a deep breath in, "Did you see where he went?".
"He went that way.", he pointed toward one of the numerous alleys that surrounded the square, "But beware, he wasn't alone.".