Two Years Later...
She trudged into the village, her feet heavy with each step; she desperately craved a shower and a large meal. The main street was filled with people going by, wary of each other. No one paid attention to her ratty grey cloak, as far as they could tell... She was just another displaced victim.
She stepped into an inn called Jenkins; the keeper was a tired-looking woman with hollow green eyes.
She placed four gold pieces on the receptionist's desk. "Room and meals, one night."
The innkeeper grimaced at the money. "What do you think I'm running? A charity? It's worth more than four gold coins!"
She sighed. "It says four gold coins on the signpost."
The innkeeper busied herself by cleaning her bell with a rag. "Four coins, maybe three hundred moons ago. Now it's double."
She realized it was a trap for desperate travelers.
She leaned forward. "But I need a place to stay."
The innkeeper reared back her head in outrage. "Leave then!" She snapped. "It is no fault of mine since that mad tyrant took over and raised taxes. You refugees think you can just waltz into a village as you please!"
Her stomach churned with frustration. She fished into her satchel and pulled out four extra gold pieces.
The innkeeper grudgingly handed the keys over to her, and she climbed up the stairs to the second floor. The room's cramped space barely accommodated the single bed and bedside drawer. At least it was clean, she thought.
She peeled off her clothes and stepped into the shower cubicle. Her reflection showed her features; she'd cut her hair and dyed the ends blue.
"Activate hot water." She said
The cubicle whirred and automatically began to spray her with hot water. She shut her eyes, drew a deep breath, and let the steam rejuvenate her senses from exhaustion to a sense of peace. The scars on her back and arm were nearly healed.
Afterwards, she slipped into a robe, and the meal she had ordered was waiting for her on the bed.
It had been a while since she had had a proper one.
Several quick bites of the rice and chicken tenders later, her eyelids drooped, and her breaths slowed into a deep sleep.
A bump woke her up a few hours later. She quickly dressed in a red sweater and jeans, strapped a dagger holster to her left thigh and threw on her cloak.
She walked out into the streets and glanced up; it was nearly sunset. Then she heard a scuffle.
"...come on, sweetheart, just give me a smile." A deep male voice sneered.
"No," A woman's voice trembled. "Unhand me, you're hurting me! Help!"
She stopped and turned to see a tall man with whiskers gripping a young woman's hand; his teeth flashed deadly, while his captive appeared terrified. Meanwhile, passersby went on with their business.
When the man noticed she was watching, he glared at her.
"Shoo, run along." He sneered. "Filthy refugees."
"Didn't you hear what she said?" Piper asked. Her fingers trembled lightly. "You're hurting her."
He returned his gaze to his captive, pinning her against the wall of the alley.
Piper took a step back and reached for the hilt of her sword, just in time to see a blast of orange magic disc aim for her. She quickly bent back low, the blade almost two inches from her nose; it struck a street lamp, causing it to bend in half and slam into the road.
Gasps erupted; onlookers turned their direction.
Piper turned to the hoodlum, who had apparently pinned the captive with a chain spell to the wall.
"Stand down," Piper said shakily, "Don't make me hurt you."
He gave a loud laugh in amusement, then he faltered with a serious glare. "Ah, I see we have a hero mouse here. This is my town, so get this into that tiny brain of yours: no one defies Two-Face Ted. They know it."
He pointed his finger at the onlookers, who shrank back in fear.
He returned his gaze to Piper.
"I don't care who you are." Piper replied.
He flashed a grin and lunged at her, his hands flicked with wild orange magic. Piper drew a small shuriken from her pocket and sent it flying at him; the blade sliced his arm, distracting him so Piper could grab his other arm and sink her knee into the joint. She heard a crunch. He howled in surprise; he tried to strike her with magic; she drew her dagger and sliced his palm. He dropped to his knees.
"Aaaah!" He cried out as blue blood from his bleeding hands dropped to the pavement. "What did you do to me?"
"It's poison... dragon's saliva." Piper replied calmly. "In a few seconds it'll paralyze your entire nervous system. Let's see you use your powers in a few months without your insides burning like acid."
He fell to the pavement, writhing in pain.
"Hmm," Piper craned her neck in curiosity. "Who's the mouse now?"
The onlookers cheered with applause behind her.
She looked up at his captive, watching in shock. Piper neatly stepped over the moaning Two-faced Ted, her captor, shut her eyes in fright; Piper slashed the shackles off.
The captive quickly stood, rubbing her wrists. She gripped Piper's cloak and exclaimed with gratitude. "Thank you, you're too kind—"
Piper calmly removed her hand from the fabric.
"Don't touch me." She hissed in a low tone.
The captive's expression fell.
Piper turned around and hurried away, but she heard footsteps behind her.
"Wait, I must repay you." The captive said desperately. "My name is Shea."
"Go away, Shea," Piper sighed, turning into a corner for the trail leading into the woods.
Shea leapt in front of her, causing Piper to stop. Shea moved back her chestnut hair and narrowed her eyes at Piper, who turned her face away.
"Aye, you're just a child." Shea said in realization.
Piper drew out her dagger. "If you don't move out of my way..."
Shea's broad smile cut off her words. "You're braver than any man or woman. I must repay you."
Piper scoffed and sidestepped her, walking on. "No charge."
She took out a compass from the small compartment of her backpack and tapped on the glass, and a blue hologram of the terrain popped up. Her location was five clicks away.
"If you're going to the Forgotten Spires, I know a shortcut." Shea explained. "No one has updated the maps in ages, mostly because... it's forgotten."
Piper tapped the hologram off and turned to Shea in frustration. "Fine, if you're so eager to pay your debt, then by all means lead the way."