Where there's smoke...|Zephyr, Talen'sul

[Northen Light36]

Acqua covers her mouth and nose with a hand as she and Alethia aporach Zephyr. The air is thick with smoke, making eyes sting and breathing uncomfortable.

[Kender Bard]

Alethia has a piece of her dress covering her face likewise. "I can't see through the smoke," Alethia admits to her sister in a barely audible whisper.

[Northen Light36]

Acqua fishes around in her pack and pulls out a couple of silk scarfs she'd stolen awhile ago and ties one over her mouth and nose before passing the other to Alethia. "I can't either," she whispers back. "Think we should risk trying to get closer?"

[Kender Bard]

Alethia drenches the scarf so it'll help keep her cool then wraps it around her face as well. "I think it's worth it, especially if someone might need our help."

[Northen Light36]

Acqua nods. "all right, but be careful," she warns. "I'd rather not walk into a Clear and in this smoke it'd be easy to." Carefully, trying to listen for the sound of anyone calling for help or walking around since she can't see well in the smoke, Acqua continues towards Zephyr.

[Kender Bard]

Alethia feels her way along, using the sides of things she encounters to guide her. Eventually, the two girls get clear enough to see the army moving out.

"Look at that," Alethia whispers in awe. "There's so many of them. Where are they going?"

[Northen Light36]

"Sorry sis, I haven't gained a Mind symbol in the time we've been apart," replies Acqua dryly. She creeps a little closer and gasps. "Alethia... Isn't that... Lord Shadow?"

[Kender Bard]

Alethia rubs her eyes, clearing them of the tears that were beginning to form from the stinging smoke, then looks again. "I.. I think so," she whispers. "Oh no, what do we do? Should we go back and tell the others, then Lya? Or should we stay here?"

[Northen Light36]

Acqua wipes at her own watering eyes, then glances at the city. "I don't think there's anything we can do here," she mutters. "If they left anyone in Zephyr before setting it ablaze it's probably too late to save them and there's nothing we can do for the slaves they have with them that wouldn't put us at risk of being caught ourselves." Acqua sighs. "Come on, let's tell the others." Acqua starts to head back, then pauses and looks thoughtfully at the Clear army. "On second thought... Sis, you go back, let the others know what we found out and head for Talen'sul. I'm going to try and follow the Clears, at least long enough to work out where they're going then I'll catch up to you."

[Kender Bard]

Alethia gives her a frown. "I want to come with you!"

[Northen Light36]

Acqua glances at her sister, but there's no time to argue and in the back of her mind she knows she'd be more comfortable with her sister there. "Fine," she agrees. "Come on, let's go."

[Kender Bard]

Excitement lighting her eyes, Alethia is about to follow. She pauses, though, and creeps to a section of the city wall that's now covered in soot and grime, and rubs a fair amount of it onto her clothing and skin. She looks and feels extremely grubby now, but when she sneaks into thicker parts of smoke, or in dark shadowy places, she blends in better.

[Northen Light36]

Acqua pauses and looks back to see what's keeping Alethia then grins and sneaks over to the wall. "Good idea," she whispers before following her sister's example. "Last time we were this flithy, we were still in Flux," she comments with a quiet laugh. "Come on, let's go." Acqua starts to follow the army, putting every drop of skill she has in sneaking around into not being seen.

[Kender Bard]

Alethia's step was measured and careful. She was using a toe-to-heel method that muffled her approach. Although her skills weren't quite what they used to be, she was confident that she could still manage to sneak around this noisy lot. Unsure exactly of what Acqua had in mind, she paused and motioned for her sister to take the lead. Alethia would handle rear guard.

[Northen Light36]

Acqua more then happily takes the lead, although for now she merely stuck to the shadows of rocks and trees and the cover of the smoke while she silently debated her next move. Her eyes are bright with excitement as she listens carefully for any mention of where the army is going. Carefully but quickly, she slips slightly ahead of the army to be able to better listen to what the Clears leading it might be saying.