The dense leaves blocked out the direct glare of the afternoon sun, filtering the light into a soothing, emerald-green twilight.
Sir Lucas pulled out his silver pocket watch, clicking the latch open with his thumb.
"Time check," Lucas muttered. "Four o'clock. We have exactly two hours before the Archduke expects us back at the carriage perimeter. We should begin a slow retreat toward the encampment."
Seraphina paused mid-chew.
Two hours.
That was an eternity in a toddler's time book, and a lifetime in the market-time.
"But we haven't seen the end of the street yet!" Seraphina protested, looking up at the scarred commander with wide, pleading dark eyes. "Sir Gallahan promised we could look at the alchemical glowing bugs! And I haven't bought Papa a souvenir yet. If I don't bring him a souvenir, he's going to brood!"
