"Well done again, Vania," Commander Aleira said. Rand'din sat in the corner of her office, head bowed and a strange pendant hanging from his hood.

"We... lost a few," Vania admitted quietly. "Won't know for sure how many until we hear back from the city guard who arrived to help us."

"Yes. I heard the distress call. We can expect more casualties before the Dark Eaters are finally fully dealt with."

"And you're okay with that?"

"It is unfortunately part of the job, Vania." She looked at the duo who stood at her desk. "Good work today, enforcers. Go get your wounds looked at, then take the rest of the day. Report back here tomorrow."

"I would like to go help those we left behind," Vania said. Eddin nodded in agreement.

"The battle was over once you left the park. He was the objective, and once he was gone, there was no reason for them to fight," the commander replied. "The city guard already transported the injured to the nearest physician and called on the undertaker for the dead."

"So, you knew before we got here..."

"Yes."

"How many did we lose? I know we left six behind."

"Two, Vania. They were unhorsed and overwhelmed before the guard showed up. The other four are injured, but will recover." The commander sighed. "Of the ones you rode in with, how many were injured?"

"All of them," Vania sighed.

"Plus yourself." The commander regarded her for a moment. "Why did you choose to be the decoy?"

"Didn't want to ask someone else to do something I wasn't willing to do."

"She wouldn't let me dissuade her," Eddin added. "I told her Rand'din wasn't worth it." He glanced over to the corner. "No offense."

"He can't hear us, presently," the commander replied. "That's what the seal on his hood is for. He has no sense of his surroundings at all—all his senses are blocked, rendering him immobile. Easiest way to keep a prisoner without lots of chains."

Vania glanced over to the silent Rand'din and shivered. The blood on the shoulder of his silver-lined cloak from when she had been struck by the arrow gave him a surreal look that made his strange immobility even worse.

"Well, if you don't need us, Commander, I think Vania needs to see a healer," Eddin said. "So far, we've only broken off the arrow and stabilized it, to prevent it from getting too jostled."

"Yes, that is all. Both of you, tend to yourselves. And stay on guard. There will be more trouble before this is done."

Eddin quickly stood up from the bench outside the healer's hall. The afternoon sun was giving way to clouds as the wind picked up.

Vania looked at him. "Arrow wound's gone, but they insisted on putting my arm in a sling to keep my shoulder stable while the healing sets."

"Yeah, that's fairly standard," he said, nodding, eyes drawn to the off-white sling holding her arm close to her black uniform. "Usually only an hour for a basic arrow wound. Maybe more. They didn't find any poison in the wound, did they?"

"No." Vania began walking down the street, Eddin easily matching her pace. "You get looked at?"

"Yeah. I only had bruising, though, so I let the healers save their energy for more serious ailments." He glanced down at her, then returned his gaze to the road ahead, the street becoming crowded as they neared a market. "Did you also ask them about—"

"Yes," Vania replied quickly. She sighed. "They couldn't figure it out—told me to ask a wizard."

"Well, I'm glad you at least asked. Now will you consider letting sis take a look at you?"

"No."

"Don't you trust her?"

"Your sister is wonderful, Eddin. I don't feel like potentially running into your brother right now."

"I can ask her to meet us somewhere," Eddin offered.

"No. Thank you." Vania paused near the junction of several food booths, smelling the savory scent of roasted meats and spices.

Eddin stepped forward, holding up two fingers to one of the vendors and handing over a few coins as the cook handed him two short skewers of meat. He held one out to Vania. "Hungry?"

Vania took it. "Thank you."

They ate the roasted meat while they walked. Eddin picked his teeth with the point of the wooden skewer once the savory morsels were gone. His eyes hunted among the booths.

"Eddin?" Vania asked as he ducked away again through the crowd, reappearing at her elbow grinning as he offered her a steamed sweet bun. She took it with a nod. "Thanks." She looked up at him. "You don't need to buy things for me, you know. I do have money."

He smiled. "I know. But I like to buy things for you."

"Well, it's not necessary." She took a bite of the bun, the soft and chewy dough filling her mouth with a sweet, rich flavor.

"Consider it... reparation."

"For what?" she asked, mouth still full.

"For putting up with my crummy brother."

She swallowed her mouthful, then gestured around the market with her free arm as she replied, "In that case, you'd better buy the entire market!"

He chuckled. "I don't think even I have that much money." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a few brightly wrapped candies. "But, hopefully, you'll still accept these."

"What are they?" Vania asked as he dropped them into her hand.

He shrugged. "Just some candied figs, sugared dates, and soft caramels. Nothing fancy." He put his hands into his pockets. "Though, if you can, save a fig for Eluri. She likes those."

Vania smiled and pocketed all the paper-wrapped sweets. "She likes Derry's mincemeat pies and butter crescents, too."

"Who wouldn't?" Eddin replied easily, smiling.

Vania's feet stopped and she looked up at Eddin, smiling. "Eddin, I—" She took in a sharp breath, one arm wrapping around her stomach. She leaned over, taking deep breaths.

Eddin leaned over her, eyeing her pale face worriedly. "Vania. Vania, what's wrong?"

"I—I... I. Don't feel. Well." Vania shut her eyes, feeling herself falling forward. She took several steps, trying to find her balance.

Eddin gently grabbed her shoulders. "Vania!"