I licked my lips, a nervous habit I had only recently picked up. But I couldn't help but be nervous. Nervous, upset and angry. Angry at myself, and my family who had dropped me without hesitation. Upset that I had had to leave them, as well as my newborn child. A sigh emits from my lips, breaking the stony silence around me. I was spending the night in an old cathedral, the sisters had ushered me in from the rain, gathering me dry clothing and shelter for both me and the speckled mare I had ridden on. Exiled. The word kept ringing through my mind, clashing against every thought. I had never known of anyone that had been exiled, but I heard the stories as did all the village children. To be exiled meant you were to leave and never return, a great shame. You marked your family for life, and to be an exiled woman? I remember the older children shuddering when they told us around the fire one chilly evening. Now I was just that, an exiled woman. A slight whimper filled the room, and I was surprised when I realised it was coming from me, I curled on my side on the small bed, burying my face in the fur blanket that covered me.
The next morning the rain had let off, leaving behind a thick fog. I left early, hitching up the mare and galloping down the muddy road. I pulled up the hood of my cloak, covering my face though it was pointless, I knew no one this far from home. Still I felt as if the shame was brandished along my face for all to see, noticeable as a burning home. For the next few days I rode on, stopping frequently to feed and water both myself and the horse. If I rode her too far without break she could easily drop from exhaustion then I would be stuck wandering the country on foot.
I saw the first signs of another village, my first in the past three days. I slowed the horse down to a walk, her neck glimmering with sweat. I patted her side lightly, murmuring in a hushed tone to calm her. Her eyes flickering as she snorted and clopped on. Voices filled the atmosphere around us, people turning to look at me, suspicion clear. Biting my lip I rode on, I obviously would not be welcomed here tonight so I decided that the forest just beyond would provide enough cover from the rain that was sure to come. The next morning my back ached from laying on the exposed roots of the large tree behind me. Standing, I used it's roots for support. My whole body was sore with exhaustion, hunger and sorrow. I missed my family and my old life. I was a nobody out here. Back home I was everything. The rich man's beautiful daughter, since I had turned twelve men had begun to really notice me. The would beckon their sons over and whisper while looking my way, the boys nodding but looking nearly green at the thought of having to speak. They would stutter as I stood brow raised before covering a giggle that threatened to escape my lips and running off with my siblings or friends. Until one had caught my eye instead of me catching his. He had been a year older, with rich brown hair and matching eyes. He was a hunter, going into the forest day in day out to track prey and bring back food for his family. His father had died in a raid a few years before, so he had taken the head of his family.