Having left the northern barracks behind, they wandered away from the wider avenues and into quieter districts where the pace of life slowed considerably.
Here, there were fewer merchants shouting for customers and fewer nobles riding in expensive carriages. Instead, neat rows of stone houses lined the streets.
Children chased one another between the houses with wooden swords in their hands, loudly declaring themselves legendary warriors.
An elderly woman watered flowers growing beneath her windows. A baker removed fresh loaves from a brick oven, and the warm aroma of bread drifted through the street.
Athelind smiled to himself.
"This place feels different."
Lilith glanced around before nodding.
"The nobles rarely come this far down. They don't know what they're missing."
She looked at him with mild amusement.
"You've always preferred places like this."
"I grew up outside the palace and around soldiers, so it's easier to understand. It feels... honest."
