Zul walks towards the docks to see if she can meet up with the gimp who works for Rataxe. As she makes her way downhill it dawns on her just who the older girl in the tavern was. She was one of the 'working girls', one of the few kandar to take up that occupation on the streets. Clearly an amateur, she'd disappeared after a few weeks.
She approaches Waterfall Bridge, the literal centre of the city, when she finds her way barred by four men. None are armed, but they look the kind that know how to fight effectively with their bare hands.
"We've been expecting you", says one, stepping forward, an ugly fellow with a squashed nose that's been broken and badly set, and several missing teeth.
Zul shrugs, a blank look on her face.
"Can't say I'm surprised to see you either, cute stuff"
She appears outwardly bored, but she scans the surrounding street for other people; friends of these four, bystanders -- and for routes of escape, sniper positions, and the like.
No obvious confederates of these guys. If there are any snipers, they're well hidden. Perhaps there's someone hiding behind the parapet of the great pink viaduct behind her, the most significant landmark of the upper part of the city.
There's not much traffic, a few passers-by on the other side of the river, and a wagon making slow progress on 'her' side; at the speed it's travelling, any fight will be over before it reaches the bridge.
Six routes converge on the bridge itself, the roads at this level on either side of the gorge, and two flights of stone steps leading up on either side. Unfortunately the goons are blocking her way to the bridge; her only escape route is back the way she came. There are no further steps or bridges until right back by the inn. The only other option of escape would be to run into the temple of Valarna, which she passed on route.
"You got a message to deliver, or you just wanna give us a kiss?" She winks at him.
"I want a bit more than just a kiss", says the leader, with an unpleasant leer.
*At least four* She thinks. *I just might have to cut these guys*.
Ugly and two of his fellows step forward.
"Four guys," Zuk muses, shaking her head. "Four flippin' guys. Nope, nope, too easy. Frankly, I'm insulted. But anyway, no hard feelings. Give your boss my best."
With that, she bolts back the way she came.
"After her", cries the lead goon.
At first, Zul increases the gap, dodging past an empty handcart. One of her pursuers ploughs into the thing, overturning it across the road and sending it's driver sprawling. Unfortunately one other goon had already passed it.
Zul spots that two of them are racing up the road on the opposite side of the river, and are both outpacing her. They will reach Aldor Square, where the Ford Inn and The Dragon stand, before her, cutting off the direct route to the Anthill.
She considers her options.
There are several possible routes out of Aldor Square. The quickest way to the Anthill would be up the stairs leading Kalan Bridge, the stone viaduct across the Vasd, the side valley that marks the northern edge of the Anthill. Then across the viaduct, past the Temple of Kardak, and she's safe. Unfortunately the other two goons will probably block this entrance if they can beat her to the square. Likewise the narrow street running alongside the Vasd, which also leads to the Anthill.
The steps past The Ford would also get her up to the next level, but then the goons could use the first set to cut her off from the Anthill.
There's the broad stone stairs on the left immediately before the bridge leading up to the road at the next level. From there she could double back, cross the Great Viaduct, that ancient structure faced in pink marble, which leads her straight to the foot of the steps leading up the the Vordral's Head.
Zul dodges past a pair of portly gentlemen taking up more than their fair share of the road, almost stumbling as she does. This allows the lead goon to close the gap, now just a few paces behind. And as she reaches the decision point, she notices the two on the other side of the river have reached the square ahead of her.
The square is quite busy with people, including a sausage-vendor. The smell of sizzling sausages wafts down the gorge.
Zul decides to head up the stairs towards Akis, then double back on the higher level towards the Great Viaduct. As she leaps up with first broad flight of stone steps her fastest pursuer reaches her. Zul pretends to stumble, then spins on her back to face him, attempting to thrust-kick him in the chest. She doesn't quite time it right, and the goon, although knocked back, manages to retain his footing, and doesn't go tumbling down the steps as she'd intended. However, it's enough to give her the chance to sprint up the steps and into the next street. At the top of the steps she dodges past a power-waggon grinding uphill, which then has to brake and swerve to avoid running down the lead goon.
With a sufficient lead on them, she makes it to Rotemdol's training ground unhindered.