[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/HX9chmu.png[/img][/center]
[b]"Yup, happy hunting, Maira. I'll meet you by the bear after this."[/b]

A shrine due east. But what was east? Atzi wracked her brain, but while she generally knew the woodlands around Dawn, she never even traveled so far as the Sage's Lake before. The old lady [i]had[/i] to be a nice person though, if she kept fit even at her own old age and if she was willing to trust the safekeeping of the key to her competitor!

Well, either that, or, once again, she had some shifty designs.

Regardless of what occult conspiracies mounted up, however, the dark-skinned woman was the type to charge headlong into the fray! And in this case, what did that mean?

[b]"Alright, let's get this started!"[/b]

With that proud proclamation, Atzi rolled her shoulders, stretched her legs, hooked her wooden club onto the loop of her belt, took in a breath, and...immediately grabbed the old woman. With a firm, but not forcible grip, she held the hag in a bridal carry, and then took off into a smooth run, uncaring for whatever crumbs scattered onto her.

[b]"Thanks for the headstart,"[/b] she said, [b]"But I think this is a bit more fair. The woods are still plenty dangerous over here, miss. And calling you miss is awkward too, so what's your name anyhow?"[/b]

Was the smile she had on her face fearless? Guileless? Or did Atzi too hold designs, bundled up inside that knotted heart of hers?

[b]"Ah, and you can call me Atzi."[/b]