[center][h2][i][color=f49ac2]Aisha Demir[/color][/i][/h2]

Before [s]Departure[/s] Escape[/center]
She didn't know where anyone was anymore. The guards had grabbed a few of her fellow slaves, and she was outpacing the others last she knew. She kept going, not looking back, not letting herself slow down. She'd already started, and if she stopped trying now... she suppressed a shiver as she kept running. The last wall wasn't far. 

She could see the gate now, and the group beginning to leave. It was now or never. She tried to put on one last burst of speed, but a hand suddenly grabbing her shoulder held her back. [color=f49ac2]"Not for long."[/color] She barely spoke the words before looking the guard in the eye, and his grip on her faltered for an instant. 

She almost darted away immediately, but instinct held her back now. Her eyes darted to the knife at the man's hip, and in a second she held it in her hands, running again as the guard snapped out of his momentary daze. The gates were almost closed when she got there, slipping through at the last instant. 

[center]Present Time[/center]
She caught her breath as her pace slowed to a quick walk. She'd caught up to the group now, and hid the knife in the pocket of the cloak she'd managed to steal before starting the escape. Now she glanced behind her at the wall of the city, wondering what would become of the others. She had hoped they would all make it, but apparently that's too much for the world to allow. 

She shook her head slightly and faced forward, banishing any other thoughts of regret. She was here now, she'd succeeded. That's all that really mattered. 

The group around her was uninteresting to say the least. Adventurers and warriors and... one noble woman. Aisha recognised her slightly, although couldn't remember this woman's name. She kept her eyes on the 'path' and the plant life around them as they walked, hoping to keep herself as invisible as possible.

And of course she couldn't do that, because now someone was walking up to her. She put a well-practiced smile on her face as he held out his hand and spoke to her. She didn't take his hand, instead clasping the both of hers behind her back as she spoke. [color=f49ac2]"Pleased to meet you Mr. S-”[/color] She cut herself off and continued quickly. She would not be so meek and proper here. [color=f49ac2]"Eadric. I'm fine, considering the situation. We've just embarked on a very important new part of our lives -perhaps even our last- and yet the Earth blesses us with these."[/color] 

She bent down to pick one of the flowers she had spotted, a harmless plant, one she'd seen growing in many gardens and flower-pots in the noble's homes back in the city. [color=f49ac2]"I don't remember what they are called, but they are a sign of good fortune."[/color] After walking a moment more, she realized that she hadn't returned his introduction. Moving as if to give the yellow flower to him, she spoke smoothly, a lilt in her voice. [color=f49ac2]"My name is Aisha Demir, a former slave."[/color]