I looked back over my shoulder again, a bit distraught still in being out on my own. All that I had learned seemed to mean so little now that I was away from the only home I had ever known. Holly had been very kind to me all these years, taking me in at the age of 5 when my parents were killed. The orcs had frenzied that year, killing many people as I'm told they are like to do. I never knew any family aside from her, and she meant so much to me. It was a warm send-off, she even honored me with a gift, an amazing short sword of Dwarven craftsmanship I believe.

Now here I am, on my own for the first time in all my life. Time to see the world, learn what cannot be by staying put. My skinned has tanned over the past few days, being in the sun as I have. I still have my hair in a ponytail, it's become a bit lighter, but still the rusty brown it's always been, a perfect compliment to my blue-grey eyes I think. I should polish the studs on my armor; I'd make quite a sight in the next town if I put forth the effort.

It's beautiful this land, the trees, the grass, the animals; they're all marvelous to me, these things I've not seen before. Mountain clime tended toward more robust beauty, this is so much more fragile, but holds a beauty of it's own. I miss the mountains, and the cool springs, but I'll find my own way now, and perhaps my own place as well.