Our goal is to make our way northward. Jarl tells me the capital city of this kingdom used to be down south. But due to the northern ports being highly defensible in winter, as well as some recent conflicts (of which I still don’t know much about), the king has created a temporary capital up north, while placing a puppet ruler down south to help with the defenses and resistance in this kingdom.

The journey began late next morning, with both Ingrid and Helja giving the travelers food they had baked the day before. Both women gave different types of travel bread. Gudrun gave a flax, wheat, and a honey bar. Meanwhile, Helja gave blackberry, barley, and elf-flower seed bread. Both types of bread had been enhanced by Gudrun’s abilities.

We have twenty packets of Ingrid’s travel bread, and twenty packets of Helja’s bread. Both have been given a longer shelf life to sustain us as we need. With a pot of water for boiling and hunting, and some sleeping bags for the nights. Additionally, there are a hundred copper coins from Jarl, and a hundred coins from Gudrun. Together, we have two-hundred sixteen coins. Accompanied by a sword from Gudrun, my bow and hunting knife, and Jarl’s ax, as well as my satchel contents, we are traveling as light as we can.

Both Jarl and Gudrun hugged their partners goodbye. Gudrun spared a kiss on Ingrid’s cheek. Meanwhile, Jarl made a promise to figure out what happened to their son, all while keeping Helja’s hand within both palms. Emerys let both couples have a moment, while she spared a thought to her best friend. And Jakob, for that matter.

Lydia would have been proud of her; although there was something questionable about the choices Emerys had made. She’d still found herself overly reliant on the people she’d met in this village. Additionally, when she spared a thought to Jakob, she could imagine the sneer he would give. Of all the things you could have done, this was your option? She swatted his opinion aside, like trying to forget the flavor when she bit into a cardamon pod she’d forgotten about. The taste still lingered, though. Especially with the fact that she hadn’t told either of her travel companions much about the situation.

“Hey,” Helja said, turning to Emerys. She paused after a moment, studying Emerys expression. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“It’s complicated,” Emerys said. “I’m sorry.”

“I was hoping I could wish you well,” Helja said. “Keep yourself safe out there, and look out after Jarl where you can.”

“I promise to,” Emerys said. “I know I haven’t been here long, but thank you for everything. One day, I will repay you for your kindness.”

“Talk to Jarl,” Helja said. “There’s a lot we wish to know about you.”

“About who he might be?” Emerys asked.

“It’s not our business under normal circumstances, no,” Helja said. “But in order for you to prove yourself trustworthy, you have to be open with us.”

When they finally began their journey to the forest, it was the hour before noon. Both partners had spent a long time talking to each other. In these senses, Emerys should have made more comments about their situation, but instead, she looked out from the river and off into the distance. The striking song of a willow warbler permeated through the air. It had been just past three weeks in this village, and she was set to leave.

Despite her better senses, a lump filled in her throat as they finally made their way back through the market. When they reached the base of the forest, Emerys cast one last glance back at the village. She’d come into the village only to seek food, and now it felt as though she were leaving something she would identify as home.

“I must warn you,” Gudrun said. “The rest of the kingdom isn’t like this at all. While we are in a stalemate because of a civil war, we have also found conflict with our neighboring kingdoms–neighboring kingdoms which we will make our way through unfortunately.”

“Hey, don’t be like that,” Emerys said. “I am no stranger to complex situations. My old kingdom had a tyrant for a ruler. I was homeless for a reason.”

“Welcome to politics,” Gudrun said. “While I don’t know if they will affect us directly, chances are rather high they will affect our path. And with you in tow, people might be suspicious in thinking you’re a spy, It’s the way things are in this world.”

“Did you ever consider the idea that I might’ve been a spy?” Emerys asked.

“If you were, you showed clear signs that you didn’t understand our language,” Gudrun said. “There was a chance, early on, where we thought you might’ve been a refugee of sorts. But I speak some of the southern languages, and there were a few times where I tried to speak the political language of our world. Neither of which you understood. But, the more you tell us about yourself, the better the chances are you will disprove any remaining notions about who you are. Also, if you were found to be a spy, either Jarl or I could deal with you accordingly.”

I may have been labeled a thief once, but I was no spy. Emerys gave a polite nod. “I understand. If you have any direct questions, please ask.”

The three travelers disappeared into the forest. Once upon a time, Emerys had come here, feeling new, disenfranchised, and overwhelmed by her situation. She had, unfortunately, felt more emotion upon leaving the village she’d spent three weeks with than she did leaving a city she’d known most of her life.

For the first whole hour, the party remained relatively quiet as they traveled up the long hill. Emery recognized the area, having made note of some of its appearances beforehand in her journal. Only this time, she had spent more time contemplating her old love life, against her better judgment.

She would have to talk to these people about her past. Divorcing would be a relatively common occurrence in this world, but even Lydia had told Emerys the truth. The end of her marriage to Jakob was her fault.

I can now identify some of the plants and animals, thanks to Gudrun’s help. Additionally, there are plans to learn how to fletch my own arrows. But the worst thing I’ve learned is that this world is in conflict. Whether or not I want to, I will become entangled in it if I want to remain here.