Iris had fled Cerenis as quickly as she could. She'd packed what she could carry on her back and split as soon as that awful man had left her, hitching rides on wagons where she could, and traveling on foot when a wagon wasn't an option. It was dangerous and stupid, perhaps, because she was not only a woman but was blind, but she couldn't remain in Cerenis. That was far more dangerous and fear was a mighty powerful motivator.
She needed to get home.
Thankfully, she'd traveled these roads many times before with her troupe so she had a general sense of where she was and where she needed to go. She stuck to the well-traveled roads and made sure to find lodgings before dusk, traveling with another person when she could find someone who was heading in the direction she was. She might be a blind woman, but she'd grown up with thieves and con men--and was one herself, really.
She wasn't without tricks and knowledge.
The last wagon driver had let her off in Lindolen, where he was picking up some tea. It was a convenient drop-off point. She could find lodgings here easily and perhaps find someone who she could ride with. Although she'd never been there before, well, it would be an adventure! Safely away from Cerenis, she had a little time to kill, and she'd heard the city was renowned for its art. While she couldn't see it, it still seemed like the sort of place where she might be able to pick up some items for her own craft. Maybe some new candles...provided they didn't break.
Caught up in exploring the town (and purchasing some candles despite her better judgment--she couldn't pass up the price!), it took a little while for Iris to realize that she'd somehow lost her way. Which, of course, she figured out when she wanted to head back to an inn she'd scoped out earlier. Of course. Which was nothing unusual; it happened often. But it was still annoying; she should have been paying closer attention to where she was going.
With a loud sigh, feeling her stomach grumble angrily at her, Iris trudged along--and blinked in surprise when the tip of her staff hit a bush, rustling it loudly. A...bush? Where the hell was she? The sweet scent of flowers filled her nose along with a fresh, earthy scent that was quite different from the general city-smell.
Reaching out a hand slowly, Iris brushed her fingertips along the top of a hedge. Oookay. Yeah.
She was totally lost, now.
"Uh...hello?"