A man at a nearby table voiced his concerns over the cost of grain, as two women quietly discussed a merchant who had been caught deceiving his clients. It was all trivial, ordinary conversation, and still I couldn't help but listen intently, looking for anything that might signal a threat.
Lyra shifted in my thoughts, speaking softly. *You're too stiff. Consume first. Stress later.*
*I cannot,* I reflected, my gaze sweeping across the room.
Chloe's giggle pulled me back into the moment, her green eyes shining as she grasped the table's edge. "Mom, are you paying attention?"
"I am," I fibbed, extending my hand to grasp hers. "I'm simply exhausted, darling."
Then the food came, with steaming bowls of stew and a plate of fresh bread. Chloe dove in with excitement, her little hands swiftly breaking the bread into chunks and dipping them into her bowl.
