Siani blinked up at her rescuer. She stared at them briefly, then tugged her hood low again, obscuring her face.

She felt more comfortable with her face obscured, even before her rescuer.

“Thank you,” she murmured. “The mage-hunts have grown more frequent.”

She stood slowly, wincing as she did.

“I thought I’d be safe.” She frowned, pressing a hand to her aching hip. “They don’t come here often. Thank you again—there’s not many who’d help a mage these days.”