Celia led them away from the Guild square through streets that narrowed as they climbed from the harbour.
Quinlan walked beside Seraphiel while she asked whether Edric slept through the night. Ahead of them, Celia kept turning to answer without slowing down, until Lucille gently caught her elbow before she backed into a basket outside a shop.
"We aren't chasing you, sweetheart."
"S-sorry!"
"You don't have to apologize for that either."
Celia gave her a bashful smile and faced forward.
The house stood halfway up a lane behind a baker's courtyard. A neighbour opened the door at Celia's knock, wiping her hands on a cloth.
"He's by the window. Managed most of his soup."
Celia's relief was immediate.
"Thank you. These kind adventurers accepted!"
The older woman looked past her at the gathering in the lane. Her eyes remained on Quinlan for a good few seconds. Finally, she smiled.
"Thank you."
"There's nothing to thank us for," Quinlan replied. It was just work.
