and Lady Malvia’s refusal to allow him access to see Mara, Talis thought of a way to find out how she was doing. That afternoon he slunk behind a tree near the side gate to Mara’s mansion, waiting for the healer, Belesia. She usually ran errands in town around this time, and around twilight, the wooden door creaked open, and Belesia stepped out onto the cobblestone street. She wrapped her shawl over her shoulders and strode down towards town. Talis followed her from a distance, past the royal mansions, past the merchant’s houses, past the upper markets and their sweet smells of bread and cakes
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