Lucian burst through the shop’s rear entrance, into the alleyway beyond. Racing through the riot of falling snow, he could hear the Chronomech shatter through the door behind him. With the leather bound item tucked against his chest, Lucian ran towards the mouth of the alleyway, where it emptied into the street beyond. Each thundering step of the Chronomech seemed to echo in time with Lucian’s beating heart as it drew closer to him.
Suddenly, a massive carriage stopped directly in front of the alleyway entrance, effectively blocking Lucian’s escape. The young man tried to cry out in frustration, but he couldn’t catch his breath to cry out. As he drew ever closer to the carriage, it’s door swung slowly open. Lucian looked on in wonder, as a beautiful young woman calmly stepped out of the cab’s interior and stood before him, hands on her hips. Her long, red hair was tied back with a green ribbon which matched a velvet dress of the same color.
“Get in the cab,” she commanded. “I’ll take care of this.”