Pica listened with avid interest at the tale of the Lore Master. Her heart went out to them. To everyone in that tale. To the people living in fear of the Dragons and their Riders. To the Dragons and Riders who were hunted down to the last. To the world engulfed in war. Pica didn't care who's fault it was, and she didn't ask. All that mattered was that it had happened, and now, there was a chance for it to happen again - starting with them.

But she resolved that she would do everything in her meager abilities to avoid that outcome. As ready as she'd ever been, Pica pricked her finger and copied the letters her friend had written: [color=ed1c24]"PICA"[/color], and therefore, signed her name, sealing the Vow.

Pica was wondering on what she should be doing next. Obviously, there were things to prepare: food to pack, clothes to . . .

[i]"Hold on, did she just say[/i] fifty [i] gold pieces?!"[/i] Pica's thoughts came to a [i]very[/i] abrupt halt at the mention of the amount of money the Academy would be providing for them. She'd never so much as held a single silver, let alone a gold, piece! Imagine the supplies of food she could afford with that kind of money.

She shook her head. Now was not the time to be distracted. The Lore Master was giving them instructions on what to prepare and what to buy for the trip. Pica nodded and with a determined face, set off for the village market that. Pica, as the resident orphan, was something of a darling to the locals. They had each had a had - some small, some much - at raising her, so everyone was familiar with her. More than that, her helpful nature was endearing to them, and they regularly gave her good prices; of course, they avoided telling her that, otherwise, she would have refused the offered price.

Now, she was here again, carrying more money than she ever had in her life. Looking around for a certain someone, she finally spotted him. Her friend, the Apprentice Librarian, who had written the letter for her. A child about twelve years of age who could read and write for her. [color=fff79a]"Tommy! Listen, I got accepted into that Academy I told you about, so that thing I-"[/color]

The thin librarian lifted a hand to interrupt her. [color=black]"Say no more Pica. I've got them ready for you, free of charge."[/color] And with that, Tommy Librarian pulled out three books. Titled: How to Read and Write, Volume's I, II & II. [color=black]"I have to say, I'm glad for you Pica, but we will miss you here."[/color]

Gratefully accepting the books from his hands, she nodded, a wistful look crossing her face.[color=fff79a] "I'll miss you guys too . . ." [/color]Pica put the books down and hugged the small boy, before bending down and placing her hands on his shoulders. [color=fff79a]"Here Tommy, hold on to this,"[/color] she said, taking out two gold coins from her purse. [color=fff79a]"For your family."[/color]

Without another word - and without listening to Tommy's sudden shocked protests - Pica bolted down the Market. She went around, distributing most of her gold pieces without return, only stopping once it was time for her to pack her things. Along the way, she asked favors from longtime friends at the market, to help her prepare the things she needed.

She came back to camp, with 50 copper, bronze and silver pieces and 5 gold coins. Packed with her were baskets, her bedding's, an small hatchet, blankets, a saw and her windpipe. A smile on her face, Pica hauled her things into the wagon and settled down besides a man with what was probably the largest sword she'd ever seen before. 

[color=fff79a]"'Scuse me, you don't mind if I rest down here a bit while we wait, do you?"[/color] she asked politely.

[@twannyman]