Koli observed silently as his fellow “actors” reacted to the news.

The balconied lady seemed to revel in the turbulent emotions swirling below. Koli had never before seen this person in his life; however, something almost seemed familiar about her.

No, no. Koli was mistaken.

Strange ladies rambling about plays and creating hostage situations commonly held Asylum, but Koli had no memory of entering such a sanctuary. Those who held hostages with assumed justification were generally unwell.

Is this Asylum Commonplace aware of her criminal nature? Or does she think she is “encouraging participation” in this scheme of hers?

Even more importantly, did she ever intend to release them?

Koli slowly shifted his gaze from the adventurers to the unwell pedestrian, noticing an unfamiliar look on her face. Completely unreadable.

Koli looked at Aetos, lingering until he caught the young adventurer’s eye by widening his. Obvious fright emanated from the traveler, but Koli hoped to reassure him that there was a longer game at stake. After all, if the strange lady intended bodily harm upon the group, it would have befallen them by now.

So the silent fellow allowed his pupils to dilate smoothly and shrink back to normal size. Though they could not escape, there were still controllable parameters, however small.

If Koli could help it, injury would befall the group with neither ease, nor simplicity.