Adithe walked down the street in an even stride, avoiding contact with every person. She smiled when she remembered the conversation. He had been bewildered, much to her delight.

"Excuse me." a man muttered, hitting her shoulder with his. She ignored him and continued on her way, picking up speed. The sweet smell of bread wafted to her and she stopped, turning back. The bakery smelled delicious and she couldn't help herself, she went inside. No one was in there except an old woman. She looked up.

"Hello, dear." She greeted shakily. "What do you want?"

Adithe pointed to the bread she wanted, getting the correct coins out and dropping them in the change bowl. She took the bread from the woman and walked out, tearing off a chunk and biting into it. She licked her lips, closing her eyes partly.

"Miss?"

Adithe turned around. The old woman stood behind her.

"Yes?" she asked, swallowing. Adithe tucked the bread under one arm and lowered her hood.

"Where are you going?"

Adithe shrugged.

"They sell horses here, you know."

"Most places do."

The woman only nodded and returned to her baking. People were staring at Adithe now, standing still. Barely breathing. She walked away, heading for the docks, humming and eating her bread.

"Do you carry horses?" she asked. The man nodded.

"We do. Where is yours?"

"I've to get him." She smiled. "Where are they sold?"

"Further down. Hurry up, the vessel's leaving soon."

Adithe took her time walking to the stables. She entered the building to a chorus of whinnying. Two people were also in the edifice: a man with short, gold hair and a man with black hair. Both turned to the door when the sounds erupted.

"Hello." The golden one said. "I'm Oliver. Look around."

She nodded and went to the very last stall. A pure brown stallion stood, kicking at the gate. Adithe walked on.

"Why are you here?" a voice asked from behind her. She petted the horse's nose.

"I'm going to buy a horse. Do you have a problem with that?"

She turned and challenged him, staring into his dark brown eyes.

"Not at all." Ambrose replied, taking a step back. "You seem to follow me."

"Or is it the other way around?" He didn't answer. "Do you work here also?"

"I'll help Oliver whenever I get the time. He lets me use a horse every once in a while."

"I see." Adithe walked on, stopping at a white horse. You could almost see inside of it, but no—that was just her. "This one? How much is it?"

Ambrose stopped handing out oats and turned, calling out to Oliver.

"Isn't for sale." Oliver announced.

"I'll give you more than you'd like for it!" Adithe yelled to him. The man walked over.

"Why this one?"

"Beautiful. And reliable." She nodded and pulled out a blue coin. The man smiled.

"You're from the Yorn then?"

"Might've passed through a few times." She replied slyly. Ambrose turned to a chestnut colored mount.

"Got two?" he asked. Adithe raised an eyebrow.

"I know how much horses go for, sir. I'm not an inside girl; don't treat me like one. Will you sell it to me or not? I'm sure you have other stables near the docks."

"Across the road." Ambrose called over his shoulder. Adithe nodded in a way that said she was right.

"Get it ready," Oliver shouted at Ambrose, turning to go to his horses.

"Where are you going?" Ambrose asked, opening the stall. Adithe shrugged, although his back was facing her.

"Wherever I want to. Or…wherever I am not in trouble."

Ambrose snorted. "What did you do? The other night, I mean."

"Nothing." She answered. But then she continued. "Well, not really. I came here during the night, you see. And I scared a little girl. Lucky me, because I spooked her near the dungeon. Her scream brought the two guards on duty out and I had to run. I have found that people don't like outsiders arriving at night."

"What else have you done?"

"Pardon?" she laughed. "Not much. I've stolen, but who hasn't done that?"

"You seem to have more than enough money on you."

Ambrose led the horse out. "I never said I stole because I had to. The thrill is enough in itself. But you…you've never done anything adventurous, have you?"

"Yes."

"Huh."

"What? I said I have."

"And I heard you."

"What have you stolen?"

"Weapons. Food. Stuff like that."

"That how you got your sword?"

"I inherited my blade."

"There's only one family who has steel like that. And only one daughter in that family. She died."

Adithe took the reins and began walking away. She turned back suddenly, her cloak producing a cracking sound.

"Do not believe everything you hear. I suggest against it." Adithe snapped. Then she continued on her way to the docks.

"How much longer?" a whiny voice called. Adithe clenched her teeth and gripped the rail.

"Dear…do be quiet. People are trying to sleep." The mother replied.

"Just answer me." the girl said. Adithe heard a loud crack and turned to see the child running away, the mother settling back in her seat. Their eyes met and the woman smiled. Adithe turned away immediately.

"Miss?"

Adithe turned to see a young boy. He was just as tall as her but, as far as she could see, was still a child.

"Yes?"

"We're going into some rough weather. Captain said you might want to go in your cabin."

"And the others?"

"Captain figured since you're so pale and such—" the people had only seen her face. "—you were from Yorn. Most people down there don't like land weather much."

The Yorn (or just Yorn) was an underground civilization. It was vast. They were located so far down that it took quite a while to reach the top. So far down that it was ice. The time to the top meant nothing to them. They lived to be old—the oldest known was 4,159 years. Of course, the Yorn wasn't the only empire below land. Above them some fifty miles or so was another. The land it lived in was hot year round; a complete opposite to Yorn.

"Miss?" the boy prodded. "Are you from the Yorn? Cause it was just a guess."

"I'll be fine." Adithe replied. The kid smiled.

"If you're sure…" he sang. "But here's your key, just in case."

Adithe took the key, wrapping her fingers around it. The metal turned to ice and it broke in her grip. Stooping low, she collected the bits of ice and reformed the key. Then she retired to her cabin and slept.

"Wake up."

Adithe jumped, pinning the person to the wall and holding her dagger to their neck.

"Whoa oh, missy. Ship's docked…might wanna leave."

Adithe lowered the blade, putting it safely in her waist belt.

"Sorry to bother you, eh!" he laughed, walking away. Adithe gathered her things and stepped onto the deck. Her horse was tied to the rail. She untied it and slid into the saddle. The crew that was still aboard looked at her as if she were crazy. They were about ten feet from the dock, for they had drifted since docking. Adithe reined the horse back.

"Miss!" the boy yelled, running for her as she kneed the horse. It ran and jumped at the rail, sailing over. Adithe stood in the stirrups, as to take away the impact of landing. Her cloak flowed behind her, showing off her bare midriff and legs. Then the horse landed, continuing to run. Adithe closed her eyes.

And was free.