Morning came hesitantly through the piled clouds. Colin thought these clouds needed to decide - either rain and justify their existence or let the sun through! Weeks of this weather had exhausted him.
"Damn this sky."
"You've been swearing a lot lately. What did the sky do to you?"
"Matteo... I'm just sick of sunless, rainless gloom."
"Respect nature's choices. This weather is best for humans."
"How can you believe stormy snow, destructive winds, and sun-blocking clouds are 'best'?"
"Are you rebelling? The sky's a strange target."
"First, we're not teenagers. Second, I'm not rebelling against anything."
"Then what's wrong?"
"What's wrong? A rich pervert recognized Ren! Now we're back to hiding across a wider area. Of course something's wrong!"
"Calm down. The night passed safely. We'll get our money stash and disappear east. That man won't touch Ren."
Outside, Ren said goodbye to Aldora before the annoying groom arrived. He might call Abrahams if he saw them fleeing. The crowded morning streets provided perfect cover, though the gloomy weather reinforced Colin's suspicion that nature mocked him by refusing to change.
He wanted to tell Matteo how Abrahams had focused more on him than Ren, but held back. He didn't want to disturb Matteo's calm before the coming storm. He hadn't asked about Matteo's night in the forest either - bad timing. Colin couldn't read Abrahams at all - that calculating smile hid too much. His intentions couldn't be good, no matter his "interest in talented children."
Dai stood by Aldora's right side, stroking her ears blankly. He must be sad. Sai was ready to offer the handkerchief he'd bought specifically for these moments - when Dai's tears started flowing. Sai always marveled at how Dai could be both the family's sharpest tongue and its most tearful eyes. A small tear appeared, but Dai wiped it quickly. He probably didn't want Ren seeing him cry more than she already had. Teacher's pride.
Ren stroked Aldora's forehead gently: "We're sorry, Aldora. We won't see your foal born..." Her face was as red as her hair, as if someone had poured autumn leaves over her. "And I'll never name it..." She hid her face against Aldora's neck as the mare bent curiously, snorting air - perhaps asking why they were so sad.
Matteo and Colin entered to leave. Colin took Ren's hands and they slipped out the back quietly. Aldora stood as they left, but Matteo gestured for her to stay. Maybe she understood. Maybe not. Her choked whinny echoed in their hearts.
Dr. Hans would be more disappointed than last night when he found them gone. They'd miss his kind eyes and thrilling stories. People like him were rare. Sai regretted most leaving without thanking him - Hans had made his Eastern identity feel normal despite the kingdom's racism. Ren couldn't speak either. She'd loved him like a father, though she didn't know if that's how daughters normally felt.
Goodbye, Doctor. We'll never forget you.
The family split to confuse pursuers. Colin and Dai accompanied Ren, who wore a gray hood to hide her conspicuous red hair. They took a shortcut east while Sai and Matteo took a longer route through crowded markets as decoys.
They stayed alert, watching passersby from the corners of their eyes, hands on hidden knives. Sai excelled with small blades - he knew where to strike to disable threats. He'd trained them all for a month until each developed their own defense style.
The produce market was a maze perfect for losing pursuers, though Sai and Matteo began doubting they were being followed after an hour. The first group must have reached the river by now.
"This should be enough. Let's check on the others," Matteo said after scanning their surroundings.
"Agreed. No signs of pursuit."
They headed for the market exit. Beggars clung to their clothes pleading - they only harassed commoners like them, never the upper class. They couldn't help - they spent only essential coins, saving the rest in their dream fund beneath a rock. They walked quickly, then ran through the crowds to escape endless pleas and reunite faster.
Matteo chased Sai like trying to catch him. Sai was arrow-fast, but Matteo wouldn't lose. They ran neck-and-neck, Matteo grinning challengingly. Sai accepted - he hated losing too. People shouted after their minor destruction. Matteo glanced ahead, then at Sai - good, he led by five steps. His excitement made him careless just long enough to collide with a small figure, sending him flying backward!