[Isabetta Leonard]

"Go to the third street and then two lefts and a right... or was it two rights and a left? And did the alleyway count as a street or was it just an alleyway?"

Isabetta frowned. Her elegant brow furrowed as she considered the options around her with a rosy lower lip caught between pearly teeth. Surely the inn could not be much farther. The gentleman who had offered her directions assured her that it was simple to find. 'You can't miss it', he'd said and yet, somehow, she'd missed it.

The tall, willowy form made a slow circle in the middle of the intersection of streets, her boots echoing sharply in each direction. Long, sun-bleached hair seemed to reflect the moons light, giving her an ethereal glow. As she turned, she looked around for another body, someone to clarify the directions that were muddled within her head, but this part of town seemed less occupied. Or perhaps it was that the brightening was wearing on and smarter people had moved into the warmth of hearth and home.

Her breath billowed out before her in frozen clouds. Slender hands grasped tighter at the woolen cloak about her neck, shutting out the wintery night air. Beneath the garment, she shivered, though not entirely due to the cold. She'd never been out on her own before. Her aunts hadn't wanted her to go at all, but they knew she wouldn't be dissuaded. She had to make it to Trysvale, to the place of her birth. Surely clues about who she was were still there to be found.

Stormy eyes finally settled on a street, chosen more because it was wider and seemed somehow friendlier than the others. She couldn't stand here all darkening and without a clue of which way to go, one path was as good as the next. At least moving would warm her body.

The clacking of her boots on cobblestones reverberated too loudly for her ears. She tried to move more silently, but even her heart seemed to echo loudly, fluttering in her chest like a dove in a snare. She held her breath lest it give her away as well, until she could hold it no more and had to let it out in another cloud of steam.

Finally, two forms appeared in her field of vision and Isabetta's course veered to intercept them. Perhaps they could help the lost woman find her way to a blazing fire and a downy comforter. And warm cider, she decided. Definitely warm cider.

"Whut's the likes of you doin down 'ere 'bouts? You wantin' a job, cause this 'ere is our street."

"Maybe she's wantin' ta pay fer a poke. Look et 'er. She surely 'as some coins 'idden in the folds. Come on, now. Lets 'ave a look!"

Isabetta stopped short, staring in horror at the two forms. She backed up a few steps, hoping they didn't decide to follow, before turning and moving briskly in another direction to the cackles and catcalls of the beings she left behind. Her feet moved at a half run, against her upbringing as a lady. A lady never ran, but she certainly wasn't going to wait around for those two to catch up to her.

She couldn't remember which direction she'd taken after that encounter, whether she had turned or continued in one direction. It was all a hazy blur of fear until, suddenly, a wall was blocking her path and she couldn't go any further. Her breath quickened as imagined villains caught her, standing there looking dumbly up at the looming edifice before her. She felt trapped.

Her eyes traveled the length of the wall, first left and then right, wondering which would be the safest way to follow but nothing gave a clue in either direction. Her feet finally started moving of their own accord. Again she moved briskly, though slower than her previous flight and eventually, she came upon yet another form. Isabetta slowed, wondering if the person was walking her way or if she was closing the gap in her haste. Her last encounter left her leary, but this one was alone and if they weren't vile like the last, then perhaps they would help her get back to where she belonged. Still, she didn't want to get too close. If the person turned out to be a threat, she wanted a decent space between them to be able to get away.

"S-serale?" she called hesitantly, her head cocking to one side like a bird as she eyed the newcomer warily.