Eliza leads the party out of the city, past towering stone structures and crenellated defensive towers. Men-at-arms stand out at every major junction, and the hustle and bustle indicate that the city is filled to bursting with refugees. The gate guards advise you to return before dark, and a few nod familiarly, perhaps seeing kinship in the work of adventurers and soldiers.
Once past the gates, there are hours of walking. It seems that even though part of the stream runs up to the city itself, the exigencies of war have led to a great deal in the way of security measures. Roving elementals, steep banks, and protective wards make it either impossible or unsafe to linger on the shores or use the water closest to the city.
Eliza has selected a basket with ropes that can be worn over the back, not unlike a pack, and she says little on the way there, attempting to remember as closely as possible where she was that day. Finally she turns away from the path and leads you along a small dirt track to a grassy shore. A few washerwomen are already here, scrubbing and beating out their laundry.
"This is the place," the maid says. "Thank you for seeing me safely here. I will do laundry together with these other women from the city, and return with them. There should be a cave nearby. I hope you find those poor children!"
