Act as a lookout

Moving after her you watch for any sign of movement as you approach the fountain. With a stifled gasp you see Cassia turn to the side and drop to her knees. The sound of her violent sobs tear at your heart. You wonder who it was that Cassia cared about this much and if anyone would ever care that much about you. More than anything you want to help Cassia; you want to let her know that the world has not gone completely crazy, but you realise that if you dropped to her side now that both of you could end up just like the crumpled form that lay near the fountain.

Thankfully Cassia's bitter sobs are cut short and you see her rise and continue searching for her other compainion. Her movements are stiff as she walks around the fountain peering into the darkness. The square is dimly lit by a nearly full moon that has started to rise in the Eastern sky, but the tall buildings of the square block much of what little light the moon casts. Moving quickly ahead of her you want to make sure that no one is lurking on the far side of the fountain. As you walk around the carved marble pools of watter your feet crunch against the shattered clay amphora that Cassia and her friends had carried to the fountain. The broken pieces of the once carefully crafted vessel remind you of what the fate of this city will be when the Armies of Hellopolis start their plundering in earnest.

The water in the fountain calls to you but you do not dare drop your guard even for an instance until you feel confident that you and Cassia are truely alone.

As you circle the fountain you see the second figure crumpled on the ground. No one else seems near so you wait for Cassia to reach your side and point out the body partially hidden in shadows. Grimly Cassia steps in front of you and kneels by the twisted form. You hear a gasp of surprise from Cassia as she gently starts to straighten one of the arms stetching unnaturally from the shoulder.