Thankful, for the moment, for this Lysean custom that may inadvertently save his life, the small party was then met with a reminder of just how dangerous the situation could become, not just for them but also for the others who were to follow behind.
A group of men bearing torches and blunt weapons was cutting across their path from a side street, and they overheard one of them telling his companions: "...might be going the long way around the city—let's get others to..."
The group of Arnicans had disappeared further down the intersection before Leal's party could hear the rest. With renewed urgency and purpose, he and his escorts kept on their way, but he couldn't help fear even more for his companions' fate.
They would be in smaller groups as well, with at least the men's hair also di
