Lorelai ran and ran as fast as she could, practically blinded, into the village. It was getting dark now and only a few lanterns were lit. Her chest hurt from the running and the emotional pain in her heart. She stumbled into a walk before collapsing on a cottage, exhausted. With a shaking hand she pulled her sabre from its sheath. It seemed to have lost it's glow, as though tarnished after only a few hours, where before it shined. She gripped it's hilt and rested her head on the wall of the house. She didn't want to return to the castle but she knew that guards would be sent for her soon enough. Even if she did want to return, however, her legs were too tired. Instead she sat there, awaited whatever fate decided to throw next, be it a thief, a murdered, kidnapper or worse. Lorelai did not care and closed her eyes while her sabre lost all of it's luster.
Word would soon get around the castle that Lorelai was seen running into the village and it was getting dark.