The dartship landed outside the gates of the lowercity and once again, Thonda was shrouded in that inexplicable darkness. She swallowed the fear clawing in her throat. This was something she had to do – for herself and maybe even her whole city. She steeled herself and stepped through the open doors of the dartship onto the ground.
Daenor followed close behind, eyeing his mistress curiously. She wasn't dressed like he had ever seen her before – her long, white hair was bound into a tight ponytail and her clothes were incredibly simple. What was she planning to do?
"D'avina?" Thonda turned to him and every question he wanted to ask dried on his lips. In those gray eyes, Daenor saw a scared little girl. He didn't know what was going on, but he knew he had to help her. Ever since those Celestial guards stormed onto the Kareese estate, something had stirred in their household.
No, he thought again. Things had begun to stir right from the moment they landed outside this city and then once again when he found his young mistress looking disheveled and confused. Something bigger than them all was unfolding and Daenor was honored to have a part in it all.
Wordlessly, he walked back into the dartship and emerged a few seconds later with a hooded cloak in his hand.
"You'll need this," He explained to Thonda as he handed the clothing to her. She didn't take it. Instead, she cocked a questioning eyebrow at him. He nodded towards her hair. "There are very few young people with the same colour of hair as yours. It's hard to forget." He looked down at her dress. "I would have lent you a pair of pants had I any spare ones, but I suppose a lady such as yourself shouldn't be seen in such inappropriate clothing.
Thonda nodded thoughtfully and took the cloak from his hand. "Thank you," she whispered as she brought the hood down over her head. She hesitated before she spoke again.
"Might you remember the exact spot where you found me yesterday?"
Funny that she should bring that up. Daenor nodded and began walking ahead of her. Thonda followed close behind.
When they reached the gates, a guard called down to them. "Who goes there?" Before she could respond, Daenor shouted a reply back to the guard.
"Daenor Rist and his sister Melia Rist!"
The guard studied him for a few moments, then his eyes went to Thonda in the cloak. She kept her head down and pretended indifference, catching on to Daenor's plans.
"State your business!" the guard yelled again.
"We're looking to purchase some wares for the festival!"
That was true enough because the festival was coming up in a few months – when the second moon appeared. Several anxious children of Reeth would be trying to purchase different items and sacrifices to offer so that they'd gain favor with the gods. Some would be in the markets for themselves and others for their masters and mistresses. Although, Daenor had already been paired once and Thonda – well…Thonda was Thonda.
"Do you think we might purchase something pretty for me as well, brother?" she asked Daenor loud enough for the guard to hear. Daenor pretended to be annoyed as he responded to her. "I have already told you, sister, we do not have enough money for something expensive,"
"Keep your family matters to yourself!" The guard yelled at them before muttering something under his breath about annoying siblings. He turned to one of the other guards beside him and gave a command to open the gate.
Daenor smiled, impressed at Thonda's quick thinking.
The gates groaned and protested open, granting them access into the city at last and Daenor strutted confidently inside.
The two walked on in silence, shoving and elbowing their way through the crowd of citizens and merchants alike until Daenor stopped suddenly.
"And who might you be?" Thonda heard him ask. Being two heads shorter than him, she couldn't see who he was talking to. She stood on her tiptoes and tried to look over the flyer's shoulder. She caught a glimpse of a black hood and bright hair.
Could it be –?
The market was too crowded for her to walk around Daenor and confirm her suspicions, but she was fairly sure he was talking to Myrna.
The rest of their conversation was drowned out by the voices of the people around them and Thonda had to wait impatiently for them to acknowledge her presence. Finally, after what felt like ages, Daenor stepped aside, allowing the two women to see themselves.
There was a smug grin on Myrna's face as she looked at Thonda knowingly. "I thought you didn't want anything to do with our black magic?" She teased.
Thonda flushed and looked away. "Desperate times." She muttered.
Myrna laughed, the sound melting all of Thonda's uneasiness. She hadn't realized how much she missed the younger lady till that moment.
"You two are acquainted?" Daenor interrupted in confusion. "How is that possible?"
Thonda ignored him to ask a question of her own. "You knew I was coming?" Myrna nodded. She touched a finger to her temple and winked at Thonda. "You forget my mother is a seer and I her messenger."
Myrna began walking away and Thonda followed without missing a beat. She had already done so once before anyways.
Daenor grabbed her wrist before she could go too far. Thonda whipped her head around to look at him, fire burning in her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but Daenor cut her off. "You cannot truly be thinking of going with her, d'avina?" He hissed.
Thonda yanked her hand out of his grip. "I will do as I please." She retorted. Daenor wasn't backing down. "You heard her. Her mother is an Eman – a witch. She's dangerous, d'avina," Thonda relaxed with the realization that he was just trying to protect her. She put a gentle hand on his arm.
"Thank you for your concern, Daenor, but I trust this woman," She paused thoughtfully before adding, "And her mother too." She took a step back and opened her arms, palms outward, leaving him with a choice. "If you wish to ensure my safety, you may come with us and protect me yourself, but if you do not want to risk your life and your safety, you may go. I give you my word, you will not be punished for it."
Thonda folded her hands again and waited for him. A muscle clenched in his jaw as he weighed his options. Without another word, he began following in the direction Myrna went. Thonda smiled softly. It seemed she had made another friend. Daenor was not a soldier and neither was he a guard, but he was willing to do his best to ensure his mistresses' safety.