They hauled themselves up the steel rungs, one weighty footstep after another. There was no respite, nowhere to rest. Sweat and dirt blotted their faces; their arms ached from the gruesome journey as the light from the street above gradually drew closer and closer.
Alistair, leading the way, warned, "Anything could be waiting on the other side. Stay prepared. We'll find a hospital."
"No," Amilia reacted instantly. "Not a hospital."
"Sorry, we'll find whatever illegal quack doctor we can," Alistair answered and kept ascending until he reached the manhole cover. A myriad of footsteps marched above, generating flickering lights and fading shadows.
The vibrant scenery in the heart of the Aradric District offered a welcome change from their gloomy journey.
This change compelled Alistair to hesitate and contemplate his next actions. He did not dare to underestimate Aradric, regardless of night, day, or dawn.
