I walked towards the river, looking for a good hunting spot, when I heard a loud splash.

"Help!" The cry came from upstream, so I waited until I caught of glimpse of the person that fell before diving into the rushing water.

Grabbing hold of the person, who turned out to be a mere child, I swam to the other bank. I pushed the kid onto land before climbing out after him. He lay there coughing and spluttering, desperately trying to rid his lungs of water. Rolling him onto his side, I told him, "This should help make it easier for the water to get out."

He looked up at me and smiled sheepishly. "Thank you, miss."

I stood up and offered my hand to help him. "No problem, kid. Things happen. Anyway, where are your parents? You're not out here all alone, are you?"

The boy took my hand and shook his head. "No, my house is just outside town. I was out here exploring, and, well, I fell in. Whoops."

"Well, you may as well follow me, because I don't want to have to help you again." I paused and listened to the sounds of water and trees. Kid scared everything off. "I was going that way anyway." Now, anyway.

"Thank you, miss!" He followed me as I took off in the direction of the town. When we got to the edge, he turned to me, "I can get home from here. You don't have to worry about me anymore!" He skipped off in a different direction.

I hope so, at least. Kid's caused me enough trouble today. I guess I'll get some bread from the market and find a spot to stay tonight. Then tomorrow I can head off somewhere else.

I stopped at the least expensive shop I saw and took a seat. "A loaf of bread and some water, please." I told the worker, who nodded, took my payment, and went to get my order.

"Well, look what we have here. Looks like someone's a bit… washed up."

I shifted slightly at the loud voice behind me. Looking down at my still soaking wet hair and clothes, I realized who he was talking to. I turned toward the man who had spoken. "May I help you?"

He chuckled. "You seem to have a fair amount o' change there, huh?" He leaned in closer with a malicious grin on his face.

"'No violence', please." I said, pointing to a sign hanging up on a wooden beam. "Also, I don't have much money. Especially not to give to common street thugs."

He seemed offended, but before he could get a word in, he was interrupted by the shop worker. "Here's your bread, miss. And you," He looked at the thug, "can settle down and not harass my customers, sir. Next time there will be no warning."

The man huffed and walked away. I looked at the worker. "Thank you. Do you know any cheap hotels? It would save me a lot of time."

He smiled at me. "Yes, the cheapest hotel is at the end of this street on the right. Are you traveling alone?"

I nodded.

He continued, "A young lady shouldn't be about on her lonesome. You don't have any parents?"

"Nope. I'm a traveler. Have been all my life. Never knew any parents."

"Family?" he asked.

"Not as far as I know."

He looked at me for a few moments before asking, "What's your name?"

"Katherine," I told him. "But you can just call me Kat."

"Katherine…" he repeated.

Strange man, I thought. Aloud I said, "Well, I should be going. Bye." I waved and took off toward the hotel he had suggested.

It took a few minutes to get there, get a room, and settle in, but it was fine. Actually, anywhere would be fine. I've learned to sleep anyplace I want.

Looking at a mirror, I used my fingers to comb through my damp, elbow length white hair. After I was done, I used a towel to dry my face, changed into dry clothes, and hung up the wet ones. I took another look at my face and noticed my eyes were darker green than usual, to the point where I could barely see any yellow in them.

I decided to shrug it off, climbed into bed, and drifted to sleep.