The market was bustling by the time they reached. Vendors showing off their wares, people singing for some money, and people looking for work. It looked pretty harmonious. The air was rich with smells: roasted meats, sweet tarts, spices from the southern coast, and the sharp bite of fresh-cut herbs.
And in the middle of it all, Riven stood, arms raised, face turned to the sun like a flower finally unshackled from shade.
"Freedom," he sighed.
Troy, a half step behind him, muttered, "This was a mistake."
Riven turned, already walking backwards into the crowd with a grin. "You say that like you don't love being seen with me."
Two knights followed closely, hands on hilts, eyes sweeping. They wore plain clothes to avoid attention, but next to Riven, who was wrapped in blue silk and had his hair pinned with golden clamps... And the most eyecatching of it all, his golden collar, they couldn't help but draw attention.
