The Long Road Home

[theDame]

She looked through the sea of faces hoping to spot just one familiar one. Was she truly home? The journey had been so long and so, so sad. Would anyone remember her? Now haggard and worn and not the least bit looking like herself she trudged down the dusty street, through the bustling market place.

Unfamiliar faces barked out their wares. From beneath a gayly striped awning barrels of fresh spring flowers filled the air with the scent of promise. Young boys clicked homemade wooden swords in mock battle. In a shadowed doorway a girl giggled and batted her silky lashes as a whisper tickled her ear.

The sights and sounds quickened her heart and lightened her steps. She turned off the main road and headed towards the edge of town. She had purpose and was determined to put the pieces of her life back together. But first she had to see for herself if she would be welcomed. If she still had friends and if she could stay.

[Iwant2bafencer]

Well blow me down and call me a pirate, I don't believe it. Hiya Dame!

[Zelda]

Dame? As in Joseaphine??? OH WOW!

[Swordsman]

Welcome back!!

[Moonitic]

Woohoo! Welcome back!

[arcon]

Welcome back Dame. I hope life is going well.

Arcon

[Darion McNair]

Hey Dame, nice to see ya again! Welcome back!

[theDame]

She trudge down the dry gravel, dust rising up and making little clouds about her ankles. Small stones crunched under her feet until she reached an almost hidden path that disappeared into a thicket. Carefully she stepped over and around knee-high thorny shrubs. When she reached the thicket she crouched down and crawled through an opening in the branches, disappearing herself into a maze of foiliage. It did not take long to reach the opposite side of her hiding place. Silently she laid on her belly peering through a few small limbs.

She laid there watching intently, the small, still cottage. Watching for any sign of habitation. After several hours she determined that indeed the place was not occupied and she slipped from her cover, quietly padding across the yard. No light shown from the windows, nor did smoke rise from the chimmney.
How long, she wondered, had its occupants been gone and when might they return. Oh, well she mused. It matters not. She was once welcomed here and she doubted anyone would mind her stopping by to "borrow" a few things.

She had reached the thick wood door now. Reaching out she tried the latch. It opened easily. Pushing it open she stepped in, blinking in the darkness.

[theDame]

"YEEEEOWL" Adrenaline coursed through her veins as she drew her dagger to face the sudden sound and movement that brushed past her. Then she laughed inspite of her pounding heart as she realized it was only a cat.
Leaving the door ajar, she felt her way around the dark room until she found a small lamp. Feeling about a little more produced a packet of wood matches.

The small lamp shone brightly in the room as she looked about, remembering the times she had spent here. At one time she hated this place and hated its owner and his henchman. But eventually she had come to love it and the man who protected her mostly from herself. She was a silly girl then.

She passed through the front room and into the bedroom. It hadn't changed much. Still sparsely furnished, a bed, small table and wardrobe its only furnishings. Going to the wardrobe, she looked inside to find a clean white tunic. Her breeches would have to do and she could wash out her stockings. She took the tunic reminding herself to leave a note for her absent host that she had borrowed it.

She tossed the tunic on the bed and busied herself by gathering water and heating it on the kitchen stove. It took several buckets of water to fill the old tin tub in the watercloset, but eventually she had herself a long overdue bath. Never mind that there were no pretty smelling oils or soaps. Just lowering herself into the hot water felt luxurious. "Ahhhhhhh," she said to noone then laid her head back and closed her eyes to soak.