They spent an two hours in the city, Markus bartering with peddlars and merchants for dried foods and fruits. Lysabel helped him in negotiations with her Aes Sedai diplomacy, but Markus had to keep her from grabbing certain foods she found delectable. They needed to go as light and efficiently as possible. They spoke little to one another between vendors except about the city in general and various landmarks. Lysabel had not explore Barsine much in her stay, but she had studied plenty of maps in her time here and knew where to go by the streets with a keen memory. 

Once they were done, Markus and she found themselves at the gate again. Multiple waterskins and foodstuffs, cots and tents, flint, tinder, and an extra two knives, along with miscellaneous items to survive the border country. 

"Ready to go?" Markus asked the Aes Sedai. He still couldn't believe he was serving as a guide for one, but he supposed it was a story to tell the grand children years from now. Even in times of peace, Aes Sedai and warriors had work to do. She gave a nod of her head, and he felt she looked very much like a queen acquiescing to his request. Markus kicked his stallion into a trot, and she followed for a few spans before she spoke up. 

"We're going the wrong way." She reminded him. 

"These lands have impassable gulleys and hills. We're go west, yes, but the road only goes to the east for now, unless we want to step into the true blight as a shortcut." Markus explained, guiding his horse with a casual flick of his wrist. He seemed born in the saddle. 

"Have you ever been before?" She asked. He knew she meant the blight. He turned in the saddle and looked at her, his eyes severe. 

"Yes," he said. "But never far. No one goes in far and lives."