They figured they'd managed enough of a lead to reach the next level before anyone reorganized.
They were wrong.
The service lane climbed up toward a wide public bridge that linked the lower trade wards to the mid-terraces and for a stretch it looked like the fastest escape. People still crossed in both directions. Carts rattled over the stone. It was enough of a distance away that even Sera began to slow her breathing
Then the far end of the bridge closed off.
Ash Vale enforcers came up in a clean line from both sides of the span, outnumbered and better armed than before as they took up their positions. At the same time a local Authority detachment filed in from the rear approach, sharp gray coats standing out amongst the crowd as they called for the bridge to be halted in the name of public order. The ordinary traffic broke up at once. Some people fled. Some simply froze in place. A few were brushed aside as the two forces fought over the same ground for different reasons.
