They run

"Li, run!" Teysa exploded into motion. Her mace leapt into her hand and she shoulder barged into the lead guard. The drow bowled over with a clatter and a surprised cry. The other two swung around, spears leveled, but Teysa had already changed directions. She felt sluggish-- she hadn't worn her plate in months, and it seemed more restrictive than she remembered. The crowd of civilians was already scattering. An elderly-looking woman squawked in indignation as Teysa bulled past her, knocking her into the rising guard sergeant. Both drow went down in a tangled heap.

The commotion was drawing attention. From across the plaza, triads of guards converged on Teysa and Aliara. They wore half-plate with mail underneath, much less restrictive than Teysa's full suit. She grimaced and turned to her companion. "Li! Knife! Now!" Aliara rolled under one guard's wild stab, scything with her foot to sweep his legs out from under him. She leapt to her feet and drew one of her long daggers in a single fluid movement, tossing it to Teysa. The paladin grabbed it out of the air and slashed upward across her chest, cutting the leather straps binding her cuirass to her body. She peeled off her helm as well and tossed it at a guard for good measure. That'll have to do. "Let's go, Li! Now!" They bolted out of the plaza.

No sooner had they left the temple behind than they plunged into a narrow maze of alleys. From behind them Teysa could hear the deep, solemn ringing of a huge bell-- doom, doom, doom, its peals echoed off the walls. She ran as fast as she could, staying as close to Aliara as possible. Thumping footsteps and the jangling of plate followed them.

Doom, doom, doom. The guards howled battle cries and yelled in their language. Up ahead, merchants and beggars alike scattered like windblown seeds. Aliara burst from the mouth of an alley and vaulted over a pushcart abandoned by its owner in the middle of the road. Teysa saw it coming and put one armored shoulder forward. She clipped one side of the cart, sending it spinning out of her way and barely slowing down. Up ahead, Aliara was diving into another alley, and Teysa put on a burst of speed to catch up.

The guards were sticking close by their heels. Teysa wanted to call out to Aliara, but she barely had the wind to keep running. Instead she put her head down and followed. The half-elf went first right, then left, then left again, taking turns seemingly at random. At one point they passed a dishware merchant who squealed in indignation. Murmuring an apology Teysa swung her mace into his display as she ran past, sending a pile of copper bowls and plates clattering into the alley behind her with a sound like a suit of armor dropped down a stone staircase. She didn't wait to see what effect this had on their pursuers but ran on.

Doom, doom, doom. The temple was receding behind them, the sonorous toll of the bell growing more distant. Teysa could feel a stitch in her side. Up ahead, Aliara was indefatigable. She leapt over barrels, dodged through crowds and swung from signposts. Teysa was falling behind. Still, the footsteps from behind drove her on. I can't go on like this. I can't. "Li!" She risked a call. Up ahead, the half-elf spun around and caught sight of her companion. Her face blanched, and Teysa realized her pursuers must be closer than she thought. Aliara doubled back and swooped past a jewelry merchant's blanket. The merchant, a dirty-looking gnome, jabbered angrily at her, but Aliara ignored him. She swept her hand towards Teysa in a broad arc. The paladin wasn't sure what she was doing until she heard a clamoring behind her. A crowd of beggars and street people descended on the streets, picking up the baubles and bangles Aliara had scattered on the ground. A loud drow curse made Teysa turn around-- a dozen paces behind her, the drow guards had gotten bogged down in the crowd. They tried to **** their way through with spear butts to no avail.
"Don't just stand there, come on!" Aliara held out her hand and Teysa took it. The two of them ducked into the nearest alley as the furious gnome shook his fist. Teysa let herself slow down, clutching her side. "Li, I can't... I need... a minute..."

"It's ok," said Aliara. "Look where we are." She pointed above her head. A small stone door on one of the buildings carried an inscription

The Stone Egg, est. 1499

Please Use Main Entrance

"That's why you let me lead," the half-elf smiled. "Come on, let's get inside before they get untangled." She pushed open the door and walked inside.