The night sky was clear overhead. Muralla gazed at the stars overhead. She had traveled along the road for most of the day. As the sun had settled down in the horizon, her search had begun for a place to camp out for the evening. She had turned her mount off the road and into the forest. Soon they had come upon a clearing not far from a stream. Mura dismounted and led the
horse to the stream. As the horse drank his fill, she had taken the time to freshen up at the stream after a long day on the road. Looking over and finding the horse staring at her, Mura chuckled as she stood up and led him back to the camp. Soon after tending to her mount, she found herself lying in her bedroll, looking heavenward.

A slight smile crossed her lips as her thoughts returned her to a time long ago when she was a
child. Her brother had been her only family for most of her life. He had taken responsibility for her when she was but a babe. They had been orphaned when she was but three months old. Maladar had been fifteen. He had taken it upon himself to raise her, when others had urged him
to turn her over to an orphanage. She knew that her brother had sacrificed a lot to keep her with
him. He had brought her up as best he could, which meant that she had been brought up in the same manner that their parents had raised him, as a boy.

Mura thought back to the oddity that his upbringing had made her. Both the boys and the girls
had teased her. When the boys thought to do more than tease her, Mura had defended herself. Giving as good as she got. The girls had been a little harder to deal with. Their teasing had been over her unfeminine attire, her short curly hair, and the evidence of days spent learning the art of combat and her many scuffles with the boys. One afternoon as such teasing, Maladar had come home to find her staring at herself in the mirror. Her cheek still had the faint tinge of a bruise she had received in practice. Knowing about the teasing that his sister usually received he had been ready to console her. He had watched as she turned deep blue eyes, the same color as his, towards him. Confusion was evident on her face as she spoke; "I do not understand why they say such things. I look as I should." Maladar had smiled affectionately at her, "Aye ye do." She fell asleep, remembering that afternoon with her brother.

Early in the morning, Mura awoke and prepared for her journey. Clouds had moved in overhead,
making the day gray. She quickly took care of the horse and mounted. Setting out on the road, she took in the scenery around her as she traveled. The day went by quickly, as she made her way towards the town. She looked ahead as she neared. The man had told her that Maladar had stayed at the inn in town. He had seen Maladar talking with the innkeeper. Mura had decided to go there and see what information she could find.

The town was bustling as she rode in. She passed by many shops. Her thoughts drifted back to the Lady Valeana and their shopping excursions. She experienced a feeling of homesickness. Shaking herself, she turned her attention back to her current situation and scanned the road for the inn.

Muralla - 08:31pm Nov 10, 1998 MST
Squire to Lady Valeana

The inn was at the end of the road. Muralla steered her horse towards it, coming to a halt at the
side of the building. After dismounting, she secured her horse to a post. Patting his head, she moved around him towards the door of the inn. She was not sure what lay ahead for her, but she knew that she had to find some answers, or at least try to.  Upon reaching the door, she
opened it moving into the inn.

Looking around, she found herself in a large common room. Tables were spread throughout, with patrons seated at a few of them. Mura noticed that they were mostly men in the room. The only other woman being the barmaid who was busy serving them. She looked to be a few years younger than Mura herself. Mura watched as the woman walked to the bar again, preparing for another round.

As the barmaid made her way behind the bar, Mura walked up to it. She looked up at Mura as she stopped in front of the bar. Smiling Mura asked her, "Good afternoon. Would it be possible to speak with the  innkeeper?" The barmaid looked at her as she continued with her work, "You will have to wait till later. He has gone out for the day." With that the barmaid continued with her work, leaving Mura alone at the bar.

Turning, Mura felt eyes upon her. However, she did not see anyone looking at her. Her senses
became aware that something seemed off in the tavern but she could not pinpoint it. She watched for a few more moments as the barmaid delivered drinks to several patrons. Her eyes caught the unease with which she performed this task. Her glance darting briefly towards Mura and then quickly back. Mura again turned towards the area of the room from which the feeling was emanating. Finding that noone seemed to be paying her attention, she decided that it might be better to leave and come back when the innkeeper returned. Taking one last look around, she walked to the door and out of the inn.

The streets were busy as Mura moved away from the inn and back into the town. Looking at the
shops Mura found one that she felt the need to visit. Her steps were purposeful as she continued on her way. Entering the shop, she stopped for a moment to look around. Walking through it, her eyes took in all the materials that were available. With the ease of years of experience and knowledge, she quickly sorted through what was available finding the items that would best suit her purposes. Her purchases made Mura left the shop and found a place to sit for awhile that would allow her to a view of the town. Opening her backpack, she retrieved her sketchpad. Using the supplies she had procured at the shop, she spent the rest of the day sketching images of the town and its people.

As the sun set, Mura collected her things. She carefully placed everything back in her backpack
adding the supplies that she had just purchased. Soon she found herself back at the inn. Night had closed in around the town as she entered the inn again. Her blue eyes fell on the barmaid that had been working earlier. The barmaid looked up and turned quickly to an older gentleman next to her. His eyes came to rest on Mura as the barmaid said something before making a hasty departure. A shiver ran down Mura's spine as she had the sensation that something was definitely amiss.

Her footfalls echoed slightly in the room as they led her to the bar. Looking at the older
gentleman, she asked courteously, "Good evening, I would like to have a word with the innkeeper if that is possible?" Nodding, the man states that he is the innkeeper. Mura relaxes slightly, "I would like to ask you some questions about a man who was said to have been here awhile back." The innkeeper looks at something behind her before nodding. Despite the feeling of unease that has settled on her, Mura continues. "His name is Maladar and he is my brother. I am in search of him. His looks are very much like mine. Do you have any information? I will gladly recompense you appropriately."

The innkeeper looks nervously behind her again before answering gruffly, "No I do not have any
information." Mura feels disappointment wash over her. Sensing that any further inquires will not get her any more information, she smiles slightly, "Thank you." The innkeeper nods as he departs hastily. Mura turns towards the door after a few moments. She leaves the inn slightly distracted; disregarding the feeling that has been with her since entering. Moving to her horse, she mounts and heads back out of town. Without thinking, she leads her horse back on the road towards home.