Priscilla found herself wandering the woods seemingly lost, occasional birds chirped and cawed as they flew overhead, but for the most part besides her feet crunching branches and leaves underneath— there was only silence. It was rather lonely as she walked, she could feel time passing quickly, roughly she could gauge it based on the starlight overhead. Seemed to be an hour passed as she walked in one direction, hoping to find a town. She began to wonder if this place only had trees and whether she even was in the Empire, had Rin miscalculated something? Did she think she belonged in a forest?
Tiredness set in, but it felt so minimal compared to the life she remembered, hours passed and she still felt energetic despite it. The starlight hanging overhead remained bright from start to finish as she finally set her sights on a town in her peripheral. She stopped at a nearby tree and climbed it. Gazing out at the town she saw the fortified walls and the guards at the gates. She felt reluctant to go, nobles rarely traveled alone, without some form of fanfare— for her to just appear in her attire it would raise some concerns, she was certain of it. It was simply too glaring. She took a sip of water from the stolen water-skin and contemplated what to do. There seemed to be only one thing she could really do, it seems her life truly was changing in a different direction, which made her laugh quietly to herself. She followed the path away from the town. Heading northwest, searching for the signs of people. It took about an hour before she found a clearing in the woods with visible traces of caravans coming and going. She climbed atop another tree and waited. Night came swiftly, and not far off after that so too did a passing caravan stop in the clearing.
Even if it was only an hour's ride to the town, maybe even less for them, but she remembered that a lot of merchants were prissy about traveling at night. No matter how close town was they didn't wish to give anyone a chance to rob them of their goods. She took a chance that someone might show up, and it paid off amazingly. As the caravan stopped in the clearing, three women and over a dozen men emerged into the open space. They laughed and talked as they worked to set themselves up for the night. They set up a large bonfire in the center to warm themselves with, while the others pitched several tents for them to rest in. Thick cuts of meat sizzled on the open flame as one of the men grilled the meat— the juices spattered the flaming logs underneath, the aroma of the meat wafted in the wind, enough to even tickle Priscilla's senses and make her stomach stir with craving. She wondered if they were so confident not to fear wild animals jumping at them for the sake of food, since even she was tempted to do so. The only real food she had since her death was some of the rations she took from the men who attacked her, but those paled in comparison to the meat assaulting her senses with amazement.
The men and women filled their bellies with food and wine, leisurely enjoying their night. Priscilla watched from above them like a vigilant hawk, listening and waiting.
''Ya think the Imperials will be annoying in the morning?'' one of the men asked after a loud belch.
''Bah, they have enough to worry about without antagonizing every merchant they see. If they don't want to battle with broken down arms, they should respect us.'' one of the other men spat with contempt.
''It's troubling times, but great for us, there's more gild to be made.'' one of the women giggled in response.
For merchants like them, it didn't matter how troubling the times were, since it just meant more things to profit off of, they were people who believed only in the quantity of gild they had, nothing else mattered. Neither Empire nor Emperor, Kingdom or King. Sometimes they'd be willing to even sell their own family off, if the payout was large enough. Merchants considered themselves the most pragmatic people, but how many agreed with them— was hard to say.
As they finished their meal, they entered into their tents to rest, leaving only two of the men unfortunate enough to have to fulfill the guard duty tonight, they sat by the bonfire with their swords drawn and ready near them. They soaked in the comforting warmth of the fire unbothered, perhaps the confidence of someone frequently traveling through the woods, but it was what gave Priscilla her chance. The men were so relaxed, they drank their wine with relish and enjoyed the starry night sky. It didn't take long until one of the men dozed off where he sat, his body free of stress as he had utter confidence in his party. The other stared numbly into his goblet, his thoughts coursing through his mind unprovoked. That was when Priscilla struck— she calmed her mind and focused on her heart, guiding the darkness inside to swirl, nudging it to form. It manifested into a tiny membrane around her, barely enough to be practical, nowhere near enough to do anything useful— but against one man stuck in a deep thought, and the others asleep— it was enough. The darkness dampened her aura and her steps, like a thief in the night— or more accurately in this case, she was a thief in the night. She snuck her way into the camp, shuffling silently, a phantom unnoticed as she slipped into one of the women's tents. One of the women was too plump and the other too short, she couldn't use their garments well even if she wanted to. But the last woman was nearly perfect— a bit more endowed in certain spots, but nothing she couldn't work with.
She grabbed some garments with haste and made her way out of the camp, shuffling towards the thick forest as she ran away from the caravan. After she was gone a rustling of leaves and branched could be heard.
''WHO'S THERE?'' the one guard yelled, startling his companion awake, and causing the tents to stir with motion. No reply came in as the sound skittered away with a few more rustles before fading away.
A yawning voice emerged from one of the tents. ''What's wrong?'' it asked wearily.
''Nothing, must've just been an animal running around.'' the guard replied, ''You can go back to sleep.''
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Priscilla found herself a small alcove a half hour's away from the caravan and the town. There she relaxed herself sitting against a tree, taking a bite of the grilled meat she nabbed on her way out of the camp. She was billowing with excitement in the moment— it was the first time she'd done anything like this, the least ladylike thing possible, though she thought, 'I guess killing those bandits is also pretty up there...', but regardless she chuckled. It really hit her that life was different now, she wasn't trapped in the Duchy, wasn't berated with words and actions. She didn't need to think about showing off some noble dignity that wasn't worth a rat's ass, she could simply live and do what she wanted to do. She washed the meat down with water and lay against the tree, gazing at the stars.
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She wondered how Zae-Rin was— even if it hadn't been long, but she missed the woman and hoped that she was well. As she relished her peaceful time, eating and drinking. She finally took a look at the garments she had stolen. She slid out of her cerulean gown revealing her smooth skin and delicate features, unblemished by the fire, nor the torment brought upon her from the abyss. One could only see the faintest of lines that creased her flesh, where the etched markings of divinity touched upon her, buried into the depths of her body and soul. They were nearly impossible to differentiate from her flesh in their suppressed state, but they were there still despite it. Priscilla took the hemp chemise that was tougher than the silken one she had, she could feel its restrictive binding as she wore it, but she knew it would be better for the sake of movement— and for the battles to come.
The gown was a staple of merchant women, a mix of commoner and noble style, it featured a simple undyed brown linen skirt that wrapped tight around her waist, and a loosely fitted cotton top that was a pristinely clean white, it puffed slightly around her shoulders, while the back of it was open in a modestly seductive v-shape that revealed her soft skin. It was just enough to avoid being mistaken for a brothel matriarch or mistress, but still delicate enough that one had to be an enchanting woman to truly get the most out of it. The white top meshed incredibly well with her raven dark hair, as she wore it she felt like a new woman, stripped of her belongings of the past, and fully embraced in the new life she had.
She had a few more things she stole but she placed them all into a small sack that she could toss over her shoulder and carry with her, it wasn't the most convenient, but it would have to do. She had no land, no belongings, no place to call home. There wasn't time to worry about how others would see her, traveling like some hermit with minimal belongings, at least she had something now to call her own. The woman smiled brightly as she began to race further away from the town and the caravan. Even if the things she stole weren't uncommon, she didn't want to take any chances. If she could find one town, there should be another near enough since they always built territories within trading distance of one another. As she moved fast through the forest and trees, near the atoll where she laid a sound of heavy footsteps sounded as branches crackled underneath them.
Priscilla felt the breeze flutter past her as she ran agilely, the brown skirt twirled around her as she moved unrestricted and free. It took her probably three hours, but she managed to see the signs of life and traces of people. The night's sky had vanished and the waking starlight emerged instead as she reached a town, somewhat smaller than the last, but sprawling nonetheless. Two men stood watch at the entrance, inspecting and checking those who were entering into the town. As she approached they stopped her and eyed her up and down.
''Hermit?'' one of the men asked condescendingly. ''Thirty solv to enter. If you got it, good. If not, get out.'' he spat.
''Thirty?'' Priscilla said flatly. ''Towns always charge only ten solv.'' she grit her teeth slightly at the blatant blackmail.
''Yeah well, what're you gonna do about it, lady?'' he said with a shrug. ''Maybe if you lift your skirt I can give you a discount.'' he grinned as he ogled the lone woman.
''Pig.'' she said flatly, before tossing a coin pouch at him. ''Thirty solv. If you know how to count it even.'' she mocked, before walking past them.
The guard angered at the insult and was about to retaliate when his companion stopped him. ''Leave it, toll's been paid. Find her in town if you want to get even, but focus on work for now.'' the other man said dryly.
''Damned beggar hermit wench. She can wait then.'' the man spat annoyedly. 'If she's a poor hermit bitch, she should please me and be done with it.' he thought, as he lashed out at the next poor soul who found themselves at the gates wanting to enter into town.
Priscilla meanwhile didn't care about the man's bruised ego, she was just cursing his shamelessness and her financial state. She hadn't planned on spending so much just to enter into the town, but she had no other choice. Trying to jump the walls could just get her persecuted by an entire contingent of guards, even if it sounded exciting, she wouldn't like to experience it just yet before figuring out the state of things in the Empire.
She followed the people through the town, it was simple and comfortable to explore. The main roads were paved with large even bricks that were easy to walk on, and shops and inns lined the streets creating a bustling environment for all of the townsfolk. She wandered the streets freely taking in the sights, children played without worry as their parents shopped nearby. Men, women, even the elderly all passed her with pleased expressions. She wondered whose territory this town was in— for seeing such happy people seemed a rare commodity for her. Though she also thought when the last time was where she saw the common people in their normal lives. When a nobles procession passed they would be tense and rigid, but they had to be. They couldn't embarrass the township, they couldn't risk attaining a noble's ire as well. Compared to those days, these people were far more genuine in her eyes. She sat for a while by a fountain with a carved lion in the center of it, she enjoyed the peace and quiet. The sound of water trickling beside her as she gazed around her at the people living their lives. Compared to the silence of the abyss, or the depravity of noble life. It was a gift for her to treasure.
''Care for some fruits, young lady?'' an old auntie approached with a basket of skewered candied fruits. ''Only one solv, or two solv for three.'' she said with a kind smile.
''Mhm, sure. I'll take one.'' Priscilla replied softly, giving the auntie a coin and taking the candied treat in hand. The lady smiled and walked off towards others.
Priscilla tasted the candied treat and smiled, she sat and watched, and she thought about things, back to a time when her father took her to a town under his control, the people were so frantic and desperate, singing praise and cheer, saying all the things that she as a child didn't care to hear. It made her resent the commoners who only spoke with falsitudes, she had plenty of that just from the people she had to surround herself with, to allow it from others as well. Compared to then, she much more liked this town. But maybe it was a misguided judgement, since she was no longer a noble in their eyes, they had no one to impress. They could just be themselves— the same thing she always wanted as well. Maybe that's why deep down she resented them, maybe she knew that once she left, once her father left, those people could smile and be free, but she would always be trapped under his shadow.
She sighed as she got up, looking towards a nearby inn, and walking through its doors.