Taking Charge

Braena stood up from her spot on the ground, looking around at the unfamiliar land. She had traveled long and far to leave the past behind, but something was bothering her. She had been dreaming of that place again, of the people there. But could she return? Would there be anything there for her? She doubted it. Things had changed far too much. Those that she cared about there… were different. Braena closed her eyes, a single tear sliding down her cheek. She opened her eyes once again and turned back towards the road she had been traveling, considering turning back to go back. She shook her head, steadying her resolve not to return this time.

Braena had traveled on another two days, finally finding the place she had been seeking. A place that she doubted they would ever find. She pushed open the tavern door and stepped inside, the darkness encompassing her body. She took a deep breath, a sense of… could it be? home? Yes, it was home, she felt at home, instantly. She walked over to the bar and took a seat at the bar, ordering herself a drink. She smiled as the patrons started to greet her, asking her name.

She told her story countless times that day as she heard the stories of others who had come to the tavern. She was tired when night fell, but she had nowhere to sleep. She sighed, asking the bar keep if he knew of an empty bed for a stranger in town. He nodded, telling her that he had a spare room for just that purpose. He offered it to her for the evening and she accepted gratefully, but explained that she had no money outside of what little she had used that day to pay for her drinks, and a bit more for emergencies.

The bar keep laughed, telling her not to worry about paying, that she was new and welcome to stay until she decided what she wanted to do. Braena smiled, amazed at how friendly everyone had been. “Thank you, Sir, I appreciate your kindness.”

He waved her comment off and smiled, “Get a good night’s rest and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

With that, he left her to her own thoughts. She slipped into bed, the first one she had slept in since she had left the castle. The one she had occupied at her home…