Chapter 1: Friendship in Exile

Katarina stood alone on the docks of Loanne Harbor. Her newly cropped violet hair fluttered about her face, and her new travel clothes seemed so odd to her. She felt bare without her long, elegant tresses, which had once framed her beautiful face. Being a lady in Loanne Castle and a vassal to the crown, she had always been dressed in the finest clothes, and had hardly ever seen the hardship of a long journey. Her epee rested in its scabbard quietly, as its feel was not comforting as had been the Masquerade, that wondrous blade. It had been hers once, and now its loss had left her exiled from her homeland, until she could reclaim it.

Her eyes were distant, staring out across the ocean, wondering where to begin her search. She had only her equipment in her possession, no friends, and a mandate from Lord Mikhail himself that she must reclaim the Masquerade or live in exile.

"Mikhail…" she whispered to herself, as the sea breeze rushed across her face. Was it love, or was it respect that was held between them? Sometimes, she wasn't sure. The man who she cared for more than anything had just exiled her from his lands as if she meant nothing to him. Her eyes hardened a bit as she stared, and her resolve was strengthened. She would reclaim her blade. She MUST reclaim it. For the love of Mikhail, and for her honor as a vassal of Loanne.

"Passage to Pidona, please," she spoke softly to the sailor at the docks.

"But, what would a lass of your caliber be doing leaving Loanne by herself?" he inquired back, his tone that of a concerned friend.

"Well, I am not at liberty to tell, but it is of utmost importance, sir," her head hanging low as she spoke. The shame of having the Masquerade stolen lowered spirits at the thought of it.

"Well, whatever it is, it must be mighty important to ya. Most people are content to stay in Loanne, though those who seek the big city life often head for Pidona, it bein' the center of trade n' all. Have a nice journey, miss," he said with a smile.

She boarded the ship, keeping her eyes away from his gaze, and huddled near the mast, with her knees tucked up by her face. The misery that she had endured in the last few days had been horrific. The loss of the Masquerade, her exile, the loss of her title, and now the shame of being pitied by everyone she met. She cried a little, promising herself that she wouldn't cry for the rest of her journey. She would be sure of that.

She stood after her tears had stopped flowing and had been dried, and she walked over to the edge of the ship, and stared at her reflection in a nearby barrel of fresh water. She sniffled a little bit, and looked at herself. She had been quite pretty before she left, with her long, violet hair in an upsweep, with little side strands framing her face. She had worn the loveliest gowns of silk and lived as noble, but that life was over for now. She had hacked off her hair in an attempt to disguise herself, and donned the garb of a common traveler. Of course, her beauty had not been completely decimated, and it was still evident how lovely she was, but the thought of what she had become was quite horrifying to her. She noticed out of the corners of her eyes how the sailors stared at her when she walked past, and she realized she was still quite fetching, but at least her disguise was working. Lady Katarina of Loanne had just become Katarina, an adventurer.

"Excuse me, miss, but are you headed to Pidona?" A shy girl appeared behind her, her hands clasped behind her, and her head lowered. She was a pale girl, maybe 16 years or so, with long green hair, that was voluminous and full, restrained from her face by a yellow ribbon. The dress she wore was yellow also, and rustled in the breeze. Her posture hinted at her shyness, and she fidgeted a little, as if she was slightly afraid.

"Yes, I am…Why do you ask?" Katarina said politely.

The girl replied to her with a soft voice, but it was quite appreciative, "Well, I am visiting a friend of mine in Pidona, but I am not familiar with the town at all, and I am very scared of getting lost." The girl raised her head to look at Katarina. "Oh, and my name is Sarah. Sarah Carson…Might I ask yours? I haven't met a friendly face since I parted with my companions in Loanne."

Katarina smiled, "Of course, Sarah. My name is Katarina…" her voice trailed off, hesitating to speak her full name.

Sarah gave a shy smile, her pearly, perfect teeth shining through and illuminating her face with a serene gentleness that had been hidden by her nervous demeanor. Katarina returned the smile, her heart lightened a bit by her new found friend. Maybe her journey wouldn't be as lonely as she had guessed it would. She watched as Sarah turned away to watch the waves, and felt the aura of kindness that Sarah exuded, and realized it was certainly peculiar, like nothing she had ever felt before. Katarina wouldn't dwell on it, though, and she simply sat down on the deck of the ship, and enjoyed the rest of her trip to Pidona.