Time to go

I left the farmstead in the morning, once I finished ransacking the pantry and stealing a less conspicuous outfit. My long coat was warm and nice for travel, but it didn't exactly scream 'casual attire'. I left 'Ma' to her weeping and set off with mixed feelings.

I had let my rage, and the instincts in my blood, get the better of me; that was an absolute certainty. On the other hand, I was no longer starving or in pain. I even looked normal again, though I suspected that would only last until I started getting hungry, or until my hunger reached a certain threshold.

I walked down the dirt path, no real destination in mind, and thumbed the hilt of my dagger.

It was an absolutely beautiful morning.

As I traveled down the road I began moving past more and more farmsteads and ranches. I saw more people, and I started to suspect that I'd be running into a proper village soon; the nexus of all these little farms. And, sure enough, I soon caught sight of a collection of houses, around fifty, surrounded by a palisade. A few young men loitered by the gate, wearing burnished skullcaps and carrying spears.

"Wait up, who're you?" One of them asked.

"Ikarus Vahlnach." I said easily, doubting anyone would know the name; I'd come far from my hometown.

"And what's yer business in Barly?"

I thought for a moment, weighing my options. I could stay here a few days, maybe get a decent rest and try to learn something about my abilities, on the other hand if anyone can trace me to that farm. . .