Feet pounded against the old dirt road, voices echoing through the forest behind. She ignored the calls of her parents and slung the old worn bag over her shoulder, nearly tripping because of the change in balance. Before leaving, Asteria had made sure to grab everything she thought she’d need. The few articles of spare clothes she owned, a few strips of dried venison, some fruit, what little medicinal supplies she had gathered, a book, and her journal were all shoved into the weathered leather bag, and she desperately hoped it could stand the journey. She’d done her best trying to patch it up the night before, though at the time it was just a task she had set aside for herself. At that moment- as she found herself riddled with little stabs from the needle- she had no idea just how much she would need it. Part of her hadn’t even wanted to finish the repairs, but now she felt proud that she went ahead and completed it anyway.

As her home became little more than a dot behind her, Asteria picked up her pace. There were uncountable miles between her and the destination yet unknown. The journey could take only a matter of days, or it could take months. It could be in a neighboring town or across the continent. But this did not matter; she was determined to find him.