"Go now if you want it. Another world awaits you."
One year ago.
* * * * *
With a nose as bright red as a tomato, Erisande pushed upon the massive doors of the inn in Camp Dragonhead. Even in her occasional merchant trips to Coerthas, she had forgotten how bloody cold it was here. She would need to invest in a bit warmer clothing, and fast. Fortunately, the trunk she'd packed held plenty of gil, and she knew her name would get her plenty of credit if it were needed.
Rubbing her shoulders, she stepped to the innkeep to quickly settle her affairs. With a healthy pouch of gil, she ensured her chocobo would be well cared for, and that her trunk would be taken to her room with all haste. With that finished, she moved to the hearth and rubbed her gloved hands briskly together, trying to get warm.
"What am I even doing here?" she mused to herself, wondering if her bones had frozen during the trip. For several long moments, it did not feel as though she would ever be warm again. A mug of steaming tea was brought, and she nursed it in both hands, sipping generously. After a while, she began to feel warm again, and as she settled in a chair near the hearth, she allowed her mind a chance to wander.
"I just needed to get out of The Shroud," she thought. Even as she thought the words, she felt a chill as a group of knights came through the door. One had a significant limp, his leg carefully bandaged as the others indulged in some good natured teasing of their comrade. One offered to get him his blankie, another a cup of warm milk. Erisande chuckled at the soldiers, though she could not help but notice the bandage. It was fine work, and more...it was a place to start.
