It was around evening when the prince finally decided that despairing over the impossible would get him nowhere. He stumbled into his bedroom and sat upon his bed to think of what he might possibly do. He could go into town...and entertain himself with the distant merchants. They would always bring something spectacular. Such as the time one merchant came across a wild dragon and brought him into town to show everyone what he had captured. Who knew that a dragon could burn his way through metal chains? And then there was the time when another merchant was selling a mermaid...but no man would purchase her because she would seduce them. And what fun is that, if your mermaid was in control of you? The prince laughed to himself at the memories. He had always loved going into town, though, everyone would treat him coldly because of the way he was dressed. Well, that's not my fault that they can't afford such delicacies such as I have. The prince thought to himself. And he smiled. He was already feeling better, even though he wasn't even in town yet.

And soon the prince was dressed and ready to leave. He felt better than he had in what seemed like ages. And, in a way, he was glad that his father wasn't home. If his father were there with him, he would never let him go to town...for town was a place where poor villagers would buy and trade. And the king would never allow any of his family to go to a place where poor people traded.

* * * * * * *

It was late when Esi arrived home. She would gather her things and leave before father even noticed that she was there. Yeah right. Esi thought. Even if I wanted him to notice me, he wouldn't. And she made her way to the front door and walked in. As she walked in, she noticed a strong draft. It was freezing inside, and she could hear her father's moans of discomfort. He shouldn't be in this cold. Esi told herself. And for a moment, Esi even considered making a fire for her father's warmth. But, just as soon as the thought entered her mind, it once again left, leaving her normal, selfish thinking behind. And Esi walked past her father's room with his moans entering her mind. She ignored them, and made her way upstairs.

When she got to the top of the stairs, she quickly made her way to her bed and began packing her blanket and clothes into a wool bag. She didn't know what she was doing, or where she was going, but something in her head was telling her to go faster and to leave the house at one. And she did so. She packed everything that her wool bag could hold, and when she had packed a few days worth of food, she left her home, in search of a better life.

* * * * * * *

Shortly after Esi had left her home and had begun her journey, the sun started to show from behind the distant hills and it's rays were already beginning to warm her. She didn't mind, though, because she was far enough from her village, that anyone in search of her, would have a curse of bad luck. She was far from civilization and she enjoyed her own company. She didn't have to look different amongst people...because there were no people around her. And soon she began to sing to herself.

"The world is a cage that binds the weak,

But I am no match for its chains

I leave this wretched world to seek,

among the distant plains...

A place that is like no other,

A place where I belong

I shall have the nature mother,

as the one to I sing this song."

And Esi sung until her voice became course and she began to make out a small town in the hills. She did not know that there was a town east beyond hers and she halted at once when she saw it.

"A town?" She asked herself. She scratched her head ignorantly. "Must I go?" She asked the wind, expecting an answer. But the wind only blew her auburn hair loosely out of her shawl. "Is this the place where I am to be lead? Is this a place where beauty only grows within?" She asked the wind once again. And then she answered herself. "I shall go anyway. I need more food." And with that, she walked slowly to the town that was among the hills.

* * * * * * *