Emalia walked out of the House of the Moon with laden pockets of fruits and vegetables. She was actually in good spirits, having had a tune played for her by Koniev, though his flattery was a little awk-ward for her to handle. He was definitely nice enough - even lending her a little money when she couldn't find her bank ID. Most refreshing was her freedom from Nephesh, Colin, or anyone else for that matter.
As she parted ways with Koniev, she wondered if it wouldn't just be best to set out on her own. It would be so much easier for her to go out alone, no one to worry about or talk to... after all, this was her quest - she was seeking herself.
Emalia kept her eyes shifting around every corner, drawing more attention than she avoided, but bought what little supplies she thought she might need. Her heart raced as she flipped her white hood over her head and darted through the city. 'North to the mountains, north to the mountains,' she chanted as she shuffled amongst the crowds of the Northern Gate and onto the road ahead.
"Sir!" Emalia ran behind a groaning cart, the horse pulling it looking as unsteady as its load.
"Sir! Please... wait..."
"Hold," the older man called, pulling on the reigns and stopping his horse. He looked down at Emalia with chubby sun-reddened cheeks, waiting.
"Are you going far north?"
"Ayea."
"Might I ride along?"
"Well, goin' only as far as Port Llast. Might take a day ern two. Dunno ya eithern."
"I will give you the last coin I hold." Emalia pulled a platinum coin from the fold in her robe, passing it up to the interested man. He grunted as he looked it over.
"Climb in the back. Don't eat my food or drink my wine. Best to not drink my wine - that's the only damn thing tha sells in Blasted Llast."
"I won't touch a thing, I have all my own provisions."
"Mmm."
The wheels began complaining again and Emalia sat between a couple of barrels of wine while the slats that made up the wagon groaned against each other. She watched the city walls slowly - slowly - grow smaller as the cart miraculously headed up the mountain road. As day turned into night and into day again, Emalia wished for the sake of her back side she would have run away while she was already *in* Port Llast.
