The poison that leaked through the guard’s veins would not kill him, only paralyze him for a short time. That still did not help with the effect of the quick moving venom that now flowed through the man’s veins, nor did it help her case against being captured by his comrades. White frothed at the guard’s lips as he fought the impact from the snake that slithered away, only to curl back around her bare ankle. As the crowd rumbled in response to the disturbance, moving out of the way, yet still loitered on the peripheral of what was happening like sheep herded there; or maybe something like curious monkeys, unable to resist a disastrous show.<br/><br/><br/>And Lark did hate to be the center of attention.<br/><br/><br/>She moved quickly once the other guards lunged forward, one brandishing his weapon like he might strike her down -- her, a mere woman. She sidestepped him easily and twisted herself around with a second snatched at her wrist so that he stumbled forward, his own hand twisting backwards awkwardly so that he cried out in pain from it. Nimble footed, she darted back to where her cart was still set up and spanked the backside of one of the donkeys that was harnessed to it before one of the great cats growling in the back of her traveling shoppe could get too riled up by the fun. The animals protested loudly, kicking backwards then lunging forward as Lark delivered another sharp slap to really get them moving. Both donkeys tore through the crow, leaving them two choices: move out of the way or become trampled.<br/><br/><br/>Lark tossed the mane of dark hair back and grinned up toward the sky, exhilarated, albeit inappropriately, at the mess she had inadvertently brought on herself. From her peripheral, she noticed that two other guards were milling their way through the crowds, looking angry that the day was not going quite as pleasantly as they would have hoped for a simple market day. Nimble as can be, the desert-bred former slave swept herself into the crowd, in the direction that her cart had sped off to, while looking behind her in the same instant.<br/><br/><br/>Her shoulder collided with a stranger’s in the crowd; one of the spectators, belonging to a woman. Curious as well as startled, Lark stumbled, wide and bright eyes meeting the woman’s -- Lucy’s -- stare momentarily before she dropped a quick curtsy.<br/><br/><br/>“My apologies,” she murmured, then grinned, winked, and picked up her pace as the crowd beckoned her deeper.