I finally sit up, sniffling and wiping at my red rimmed eyes. My cheeks ache, from the sobbing and the coughing and screaming into my pillow.

I’ve cried so much. So fayring much, but that’s okay. I’m done crying. I’m done laying here, I’m just done. I can’t stay in this town anymore. I have to leave. Even if Hastings couldn’t keep his promise, I have to keep mine. I think that’s what my parents would have wanted.

The only thing I’ve got left of my old life is my horse Fennel and a bunch of memories. That’s all, and that’s enough. It has to be.

It has to be because it still stands. The mission I mean. This is a new beginning for me, no matter how fayred up it is, and I’m not going to start this new life by becoming an oath breaker. I’m going to continue my journey to the North, and I’m going to do what I’m supposed to.

I laugh to myself, I’m thinking like it’s a choice, but it’s not. I’m not kidding anyone, I’m only going forward because I don’t have anywhere to go back to.

I stand up and I begin to make up the bed. Yes, I know they’re probably just going to take the sheets off and wash them anyway but, I guess it’s just my way of showing Tyra I care. I really appreciate what she’s done for me. It’s funny cause I didn’t even know she knew my mom. Small world ain’t it?

Once I finish the bed I straighten my dress as best I can, and brush my hair with fingers. I know I look even worse than I did yesterday morning when I went down to the common room and found out the news. Doesn’t matter, I have to leave.

I leave the room and go down the stairs to the common room. I try not to make eye contact with anybody, but I can feel their stares. I can hear their murmurs. Rumors spread fast don’t they? Guess they found out that a member of the Steele family survived. Little Abigale Steele. Me.

I’m out off the inn and around back at the stables before I know it, and for the first time in what feels like a small eternity I see a sight that brings a small quirk to my lips.

“Hey Fennel,” I say in a hoarse voice as I hug the speckled mare. He’s contentedly just chewing at some fresh hay. “It’s just you and me now…” I say, and he keeps chewing. He’s my emotional support at the moment, yes, but he’s still a horse. The thought makes me smile again, but it fades away all too quickly and so I step inside and begin to check his saddle and straps.

Having determined everything is as it should be I decide it’s time for me to go. I don’t have a plan, I don’t even know where I’m going, but I have no reason to stay, and that’s a good enough reason to go.

I lead Fennel out of the stable and turn to mount up, when I hear a voice behind me.

“Not gonna leave without saying goodbye are yah?” Tyra asks, and I’m hit with pangs of guilt.

“I’m…” I struggle to find the words, I mean what are you even supposed to say? “I’m very grateful, for everything you’ve done miss Tyra. Truly, I am, and I will forever be indebted to you for what you’ve done for me. Right now, I have no money, I have no way to repay you, and I can’t… I can’t stay here I have to go.” I take a deep breath and finally turn around to face the plump woman.

Tears well up in my eyes as I see she’s standing there with a small bundle. She shakes her head at my words, and steps close.

“There’s no reason to pay me back lass,” She says setting the bundle on Fennel’s back. “I believe that sometimes the gods choose people to carry out certain missions, and I owe it to them to take care of their chosen…”

“I’m not a chosen one,” I say, mounting Fennel. “But I promise you now, I’ll repay you one day, for everything you’ve done. I can’t say it’ll be anytime soon, but I will.”

Tyra smiles at me for a long while, then she nods her head. “That sounds good to me.” She gives Fennel a soft pat on the butt and then grabs my forearm. “Be safe you hear?”

“I will be.”

And with that, Fennel and I are off, trotting at a steady pace down the cobblestone highway. As I ride, I take a look at the bundle Tyra has given to me. The bundle itself is an old cloak, rough and stiff, but it’ll hold off the wind and rain. Also inside is a small pouch of silver coins. I hold the pouch of money in my hand, I’ve never even seen this much money before.

I smile at her kindness, but I know in my heart that I can’t count on everyone to be so nice. I’m on my own now, for real. It’s just me and Fennel and the five hundred leagues between me and the North Kingdom.

We ride for a while, getting outside of town, to where the cobblestone road begins to fade into dirt, and the buildings make way for trees and shrubs.

I’ve never been out this far, and the experience is kind of surreal. I’m traveling to a place I never really imagined I’d go. Well, at least I hope so, I don’t even really know where the kingdom is for sure, I just know that… well the North Kingdom is… to the North.

So, that’s where I’ll go. Because the mission still stands. War is coming and I have to give that message.