"This is a public labyrinth!" the smaller one squeaked from behind her. "Everyone may enter! It's the law!"
"We've waited since dawn! If we don't make money today, we don't eat! So we can't let you cut in- no! We can't afford to skip- no, um-"
"What she means is we're very sorry and please don't kill us but we were here first!"
The excuses arrived as a bombardment, delivered with chins up and faces gray, two girls attempting mighty and landing somewhere near seasick.
Quinlan listened to every word of it, amusement plain on his face.
"The Scarlet Lilies, huh." The terrible red eyes considered them. "An admirable goal."
He nodded at the rusted sword.
"But with that equipment, chances are you'll die long before you get there."
The girls bit their lips in unison, and the chins came down.
"W-we know!" the taller one managed. "But getting to eat stale bread is already a good day for us. Equipment is..." She didn't finish it.
"Where are your parents?"
