Ruud, Taelythenihel and Ossa climb into the first wagon with Jendral. Valdaris hops up next to Milak. Allistra moves to the lead, the grey high-stepping and eager to be under way. Ciprinus rides alongside the second wagon. The donkey brings up the rear.
They pull out, the wagon wheels rumbling on the cobbles of the street. The sky has the luminescence of false dawn but soon the rosy glow of sunrise washes the buildings on either side of them with a true maiden's blush.
The trip from warehouse to main gate is uneventful and they are passed quickly through by the members of the Watch on duty. Allistra and the others are obviously well known to the guards, who smile and nod to them.
One calls out, "Allistra, sweetheart, when're you going to stop your roaming and settle down with me?" She chuckles and replies, "When you can afford to keep me in the manner to which I'm accustomed, Gerd - and on a Watchman's wage that'll be a very long time, indeed!" The other guards laugh and nudge Gerd good-naturedly in the ribs.
Once out of the city, they set off along the Western Road, making good time through outlying farms and fields. After an hour or so, Allistra falls back to the rear wagon, and leans over to grab a small sack from the back. Opening it up, she distributes bread and apples. "Breakfast, friends. We'll eat on the move, and call a halt at noonday."
She offers food to Ossa, and frowns when the servant doesn't respond. Handing to sack to Taelythenihel, she says, "Here, you persuade her to eat!" then rides off to the front of the caravan.