Kay began to sing soft lullabies to her precious burdens, as much to help her focus on the link as to keep herself conscious. Here was not a good place to rest, and she doubted that Mestru Merrick would be able to carry all of them. He was already supporting most of her weight (and that of the owl) already. And if she passed out while linked to four other minds, what if she somehow lost herself in that grey world by doing it ?
In response to sharp stab of fear this thought generated, she switched to the rowdiest Terran drinking songs she'd ever heard, and sang them loud as she dared. Now that one of her small burdens slept (and the other was not far behind), she found it even more difficult not to join them. Exhaustion dragged at her like a thick blanket of wet wool. If not for the steadying presence of Ceroill's shoulder to lean on (and being frequently poked and prodded by Oberon's beak and claws), she'd surely have given in already.
As they weaved their unsteady way through the streets towards the shop called Leaves, the light of a lantern fell upon them, and a voice called out in challenge. A young stranger in a Guards uniform stepped out to block the path, and regarded them with confusion written all over his face.
Robie loved being in the Guards, but night-duty was the worst. Dealing with drunken brawls and loud obnoxious people were his least favorite part of the job. Still, as the townspeople slept, it was less strain on his barriers. The peace and quiet after the taverns closed allowed him to relax a bit and he found the sounds of the sleeping city rather comforting.
The young cadet that had been the unfortunate recipient of a reprimand, pulled his cloak closer to him and growled his displeasure. Robie gave him a sideways glance and inwardly chuckled. The young hot-head would soon find out that his family name would not keep him from getting reprimanded at any infraction.
Robie grinned slightly at that thought, this young man had come into the cadets thinking he would be immune from having to be posted to night duty or peeling vegetables in the hot kitchen. Robie had witnessed the young man taunting another new cadet when he'd had to clean out the latrines. *Well, there is some justice after all* Robie thought to himself.
As the two men rounded the corner, Robie heard shuffling feet ahead. He waited a moment, his companion stopped beside him. As they waited in the shadows, the footsteps grew louder. Finally Robie stepped out of the shadows and into the middle of the road. The sight before them was one of the strangest he'd ever seen.
He was used to drunkards or injured folk, but not when one of them was accompanied by an owl! It blinked sleepily at Robie and his mind had a brief glimpse of Moirra. Shaking her out of his mind, Robie spoke. "Where are you heading?"