[h1][b][color=salmon][center]Daphne Saintmarie[/center][/color][/b][/h1]


[i]Departing my detachment in the Empire was not the daring escape that I had prepared for in my mind; so lowly regarded was I that the guards at the main gate would have surely allowed me to simply walk right out if I had had the courage to attempt it. In fact, the man who came to sneak me out had carried on a rather pleasant conversation with them as I boarded his covered wagon, unnecessarily concealed in my hooded cloak, and did not entertain so much as a casual inquiry as to his purpose at one of the Empire’s military posts.  I am left to believe that most of my fear of leaving was related to the fact that it has been the only real purpose in my life until now, even though it was if I had never existed the moment I left. Colonel Aldric Durand was the only thing holding that organization together. Under his successor, I expect that it shall collapse under the dissention and corruption that is now bred there. I have never seen so much of the Empire as I have since embarking on the journey for the Kingdom of Dall, and the more that I do, the more that I believe I have made the right decision. The fear of what waits for me at the end of this road is beginning to pale in comparison to the thought of what might become of me if I stayed.  Over the past several years I allowed myself to forget that I was indentured into servitude to the Empire. It was never a fate that I would have chosen for myself. I do not know what good it will do to answer a call to adventure from a foreign king. Yet even if I should meet a terrible end before I ever reach the kingdom’s borders, at least I will do so as the result of having taken my destiny into my own hands for the first time in my life.
 
-  D.S.[/i]

[hr]

The church had not been the intended destination. However, Skirving, the man who called himself a merchant but who had proven to be involved in much seedier activities during their journey, had insisted that it would not be in his best interests to simply ride right up to the palace gates.  He had also insisted that a twenty percent increase in the agreed upon payment for his services was in order, due to his claim that the weather conditions would delay his departure from Praetor City. The crooked, gapped smile on his face as he held out his hand indicated that he knew how flimsy an excuse it was to extort the extra coin and that the woman who had hired him was in no position to take issue with it.  Purse in hand, he and his shady little band of ‘merchants’ had faded into the bustling district to attend to whatever business they had in the kingdom’s capital.

Daphne Saintmarie stood before the steps leading to the church doors, pulling her heavy cloak tightly around her as the cold wind swirled though the city streets. Not wanting to be left in the middle of town with nowhere to go, this had been the next thing that had come to her mind. She gazed at the impressive structure and smiled as fond memories from the church she had grown up in flashed though her mind. It had been many years since Daphne had set foot in such place. 

The snow crunched beneath her plated boots as she finally walked up the steps and entered the church. It was a relief to be out of the cold. Daphne drew back her hood and pulled her long blonde hair over one shoulder as she slowly made her way into the sanctuary. Sconces on the walls were ablaze, gently lighting the big room and adding warmth to the atmosphere.  The stone floor was split down the middle by a heavy carpet, creating an isle between the rows of pews that ended at an alter. A couple other visitors sat near the front of the sanctuary; Daphne chose a spot in the back to rest and gather her thoughts. 

An unknown amount of time passed during her reflections; Daphne had needed a certain degree of decompression after everything she had been through that ultimately led her to the Kingdom of Dall. At length, feeling sufficiently calmer and more collected, she left her seat and walked down the carpeted isle to the foot of the alter, her cloak flowing behind her.  She knelt before it and said a silent prayer to the Goddess to guide her on her journey; it was time to present herself to the King of Dall.

Daphne rose to her feet and turned to leave the church. She had no idea how to reach the palace gates, however she was aware that places existed where locals and travelers gathered that might be willing to part with that information.  The snowy winds greeted her once more as Daphne walked out into the city, and her hand instinctively wandered to the ornate hilt of her longsword. She was accustomed to how the Delphian culture treated those who dared to wander into unfamiliar territory, and she had to be prepared for a similar greeting should the denizens of Praetor City take a particular disliking to a defector from the Empire.