Velkaris was still awake when Aubrelle and Rhosyn stepped back into the street.
The lamps cast steady light over the stone, carriages still moved now and then, and people in expensive clothes passed through the northern district without much hurry. Aubrelle walked with her cane in one hand, Pipin circling near her shoulder from time to time, her pace calm enough that it felt more like a quiet stroll than a return home.
Rhosyn matched it without saying much.
After a while, Aubrelle spoke first. "You don't have to keep my pace."
Rhosyn glanced at her. "I know. I wanted to talk to you."
Aubrelle turned her face slightly toward her. "About what?"
Rhosyn let a few steps pass before answering. "You accepted all of that very quickly."
Aubrelle was quiet for a moment.
