Wet, tired steps stumbled on the dry tiles shielded under the barrel ceiling porch of a modest brick home. Two heads sharing a soaked cloak shakily stood in front of the aged wooden door, heavy curtain of rain behind them. The cloak slipped, rustling to the ground, unveiling the young redhead supporting Suarus to stand.

'Hang on a bit more.' she muttered, leaning forward, knocking loudly several times.

A strip of light shone upon their faces, quickly vanishing. Clacking followed before the door squeaked open, soft light flooding the entrance.

'Oh my, Azu, what have you done this time?' a middle-aged woman exclaimed.

'Let us in Ispharus. I'll tell you later!' said Azu under her breath struggling with Saurus's posture.

In her nightgown rushed the woman holding Suarus's arm, taking a bit of the weight off the huffing Azu as they stepped into the house.

'Quick, close the door. I'll hold her.' said Azu glancing back at the opened door.

'Are you being followed?' fearfully asked Ispharus, peering into the darkness, banging the door closed, sliding the bolts of the three large locks, rushing back.

'Lulus?' asked Azu.

'Asleep.' replied Ispharus leading the way into the warm living room. 'Lay her here, on the rug by the hearth.'

Suarus shuddered under their touch as they slowly sat her on the ground.

'I'll get some dry clothes and sheets.' said Ispharus leaving the room.

Azu nodded, her concerned gaze never leaving Suarus's flushed face.

Ispharus thumped into the room, carrying several folded linen sheets, drying towels, and two gowns tossed over her shoulder. With urgency, she spread two layers of the sheets across the wooden floor then kneeled by Suarus's side.

'Help me undress her, or she might not survive the night.'

Azu's hands trembled, pulling Suarus's arm out of the sleeve of the ripped, soiled shirt.

'Dry her well.' firmly instructed Ispharus, grey roots of her hair glimmering under the warm light of the heath, handing Azu a drying cloth.

Gently, they dabbed Suarus's simmering skin and matted hair, drying it, before dressing her into the nightgown, covering her with the rest of the linen sheets, resting her head on the pillow close to the heath.

'I'll fetch the Anaka potion to ease the fever. Dry off and change too, or you'll get feverish as well.' said Ispharus, rising on her feet, walking to the cupboard in the corner of the room, rattling through its contents. 

Azu stripped off her clothes, the warmth of the heath touching her skin, hazel eyes mirroring the fire, absentmindedly drying herself, slipping on the cozy long-sleeved light-blue nightgown.

'Yes,' excitedly exclaimed Ispharus thudding back to Suarus's side, popping open the cork seal of the small glass bottle in her hand. 'Lift her head.'

Azu slid her hand under Suarus's hot neck, slightly inclining her head.

'Perfect.' murmured Ispharus, placing the mouth of the bottle against Suarus's pink lips, pulling her jaw downwards, pouring some of the liquid in.

Suarus turned her head, whimpering.

'No, no, don't spit, swallow.' calmly mumbled Ispharus into Suarus's ears.

Suarus gulped, turning her face away, curling up on herself facing the fire.

'She'll be better by sunrise.' said Ispharus, meeting Azu's tearful gaze.

'I killed a man today.' uttered Azu, words smothered, tears streaming across her cheeks.

Ispharus's face ashen, her hands over her chest, swallowing before asking, 'Who?'

'Panus of Ella.'

'The Slave Merchant?' exclaimed Ispharus, her hand flying to her mouth.

'Someone had to a long time ago, that monster.'

'Oh Azu, what have you done.' panic rose in Ispharus's voice, 'You are not a killer, you are not like them!'

'You are mistaken Ispharus; I am their offspring, their corrupt seed, the other side of the same coin.' spat Azu, moist eyes burning, the sounds of Suarus's faint moans, and the crackling fire in the background.

'You are in no way their image, and you know that.' said Ispharus, reaching for Azu's shoulder, patting on it assuringly. 'Did anyone see you?'

Azu shook her head in denial.

'No. I hid, waiting for the right moment to free the women and children kept in the back of the auction house. But as soon as the auctions started, clamor erupted outside, then Panus and this woman walked in. He...he tried to... and I couldn't stop myself, I couldn't just watch from the shadows so I...' she trailed off.

'So, no one saw you or knew you were there?'

'No.'

'Then, it is this one they might be looking for, blaming her for Panius's murder.'

Azu's eyes widened, 'But she didn't—'

'They don't know that.'

'You mean...'

'No one will ever know.'

'But I can't—' Azu exclaimed, looking down at Suarus.

Ispharus's grip squeezed on her upper arm, pulling back her attention.

'You were never out of the palace, you hear me?'

'But, Ispharus...' her eyes tearfully pleaded.

'Lady Azurus of Nazz, do you hear me?'

Azurus nodded, wiping her tears with the back of her sleeve.

'At dawn, you'll sneak back into The High Mountain... As for this—' she looked at Suarus's face, 'I'll take care of.'