The sudden change from Elias's warm private study to the chilly, open spaces of the lower district's big hall was very jarring. The smell of old herbs, damp stone, and cheap chimney smoke filled my senses.
Elias stepped into a defensive stance, his hand resting on his sword as his sharp eyes scanned the empty benches and dusty corners where Liora had handed out the plague cure. "Seraphina," Elias called out, his deep voice carrying a tone of strict alertness. "A little warning before you drop us into the slums of the capital would be nice, my love."
Maribel quickly smoothed down her dress, her professional look returning instantly as she frowned at the quiet building. "What are we doing here, Seraphina? If you needed to see someone from the lower districts, etiquette says you should summon them to the palace rather than putting yourself in a vulnerable position."
