"Well, well, well… you're in luck, Ms. Charlotte," Ahrie said, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"So, how about it?" Min added, hands on his hips.
"S-sure…" Charlotte replied hesitantly.
They started down the road toward the noble quarter — Ahrie in front, Min dragging Charlotte by her foot like a sack of trouble.
"Oiii! Hey! I can walk!" Charlotte shouted.
"Hell nah, you'll bolt again," Min said without even looking back.
As they moved deeper into the district, the air changed. The mud turned to marble. The noise of Glimmerfen's market faded behind them, replaced by the crisp sound of marching boots. Buildings gleamed; gold emblems reflected in clean glass.
Knights from different houses trained in the courtyards, their armor ringing sharp in rhythm. Guards patrolled every corner, their formation neat — too neat for comfort.
"Damn," Ahrie muttered, scanning the patrols. "That's a lot of guards for one neighborhood."
