~ Behind Philander's Clockwork, Rooksbridge
James steps out before the lead boy. Because the boy is looking over his shoulder at his pursuers at that precise moment, he can't get out of the way of the fighter; with a resounding crash, he bounces off James' chest and stumbles onto his butt.
The pursuers slow to a jog, warily watching the three strangers before them. Those with weapons clutch them tighter as they sneer, throwing looks at the kid on the ground before James.
~
As Forge and Linda make their way to Rooksbridge to meet up with their friends, they make their way down a bustling street, full of a throng of people coming from market. Suddenly, there's a sound of wooden snapping in protest and the crowd begins to part rapidly with shouts and hollers. Bearing down on the pair is a large horse-drawn cart piled with sacks of what are presumably grain... without the horse!