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@mischievous-thwapling

Yes, Nadia is someone who looks out for Ada.

~*~

Casting a wary glance at the fettered sky, Nadia slipped her hand into Ada’s. “We ought hurry,” she half-whispered, then forced a shy smile across her mouth. “Elsewise we would be late.”

Ada again nodded, slower this time. Following Nadia’s lead she stepped down from the ravine wall and they began making their way up the steep cobbled street as others scurried about in an increasing panic. Screams and shouts still echoed down the slope. Nadia could sense Ada’s growing unease, the way her hands trembled and her step turned skittish. Nadia knew the little faerie fawn was an empathic creature. The first hint of someone else being afraid, Ada’s pulse would double its tempo. That was why Nadia could not let it show that her own heart was racing. She quickened pace to a harried walk and they soon crossed under the portcullises of the second outer gate.

Another thunderous rattle chased along the heavy iron chains above them. Ada balked at the sudden sound and nearly bolted down the street, but Nadia held her hand firmly. She gave the girl a reassuring squeeze and quickened step again, this time to a swift half-skipping pace. They pushed their way through the crowd clogging the third gate and entered the outer bailey.

By now panic was rampant through the ranks of Ironstorm’s citizens. They had scattered, some fleeing homeward, while many ran in search of shelter elsewhere within the castle. Shouts rang and echoed between the hard stone walls. Guardsmen not on duty hurriedly donned their arms and armor and raced towards the citadel. Their compatriots upon the walls were making their way towards the far side of the battlements, where the towering donjon rose clear of the heavy chain netting. The side where the castle keep stood.

The girls were ushered through the gate with the disquieted throng to the inner bailey. Now they could view the draconic aberration perched menacingly on Ironstorm’s walls.