Brigid left the estate formerly owned by Louis a day after arriving, departing as the sun began to rise over Uxkhal. It reminded her of how she'd walked away from Sargoth, with just the equipment of her mother to her name. The only difference between now and then was that she had had a horse when leaving Sargoth and remembering that it had now fallen made her slow her pace, her head bowed forward so passers-by couldn't see her tears. Reaching the town's market district Brigid felt for the pouch of coins she'd taken from the estate's strongroom. She hadn't stopped to see how much was in the pouch, and wasn't prepared to stop if her former allies accosted her in the street. The stables were on the edges of the markets, all on streets allowing a direct line to the gates, and Brigid paused as she reached the centre of the market district, wondering if she should travel south or east.
In the end it was the memory of Culmarr Castle that made her decision and after buying a new horse, another sleek courser, Brigid rode under Uxkhal's eastern gatehouse, letting the courser set its own pace as she tried to create a symbol she could attach to a banner and sit under in the great field outside Dhirim. The world flashed past as the courser extended its neck, breaking into a swift gallop that swallowed the kilometres, and it was only just mid-day when horse and rider approached the village of Yalibe, Brigid carefully getting the courser to slow down as the Swadian settlement got closer.
A militiaman was at the village gates, a crossbow trained on her. Sighing Brigid dismounted, making sure that her mercenary badge was visible in its entirety, and began walking towards the soldier, arms held out to her sides.
"I request entry to the village, so that I can visit the tavern."
The militiaman lowered his crossbow, stepping to one side, and he pushed open the one gate as Brigid got back onto her courser, calling out as she rode into the village.
"Don't go making trouble mercenary."
Brigid ignored him and made her way through Yalibe to a building whose sign declared it to be the Stag's Head. Stabling the courser outside, noting with disappointment that the nearby noticeboard was empty, Brigid entered the tavern, glancing around for potential clients as she headed for the bar.
"Do you sell food? Or just alcohol?" The bartender looked at Brigid for a moment before returning to dealing with other customers. "I asked you a question."
"You want food? Go to the trader."
---
Brigid had left the tavern, sorely tempted to beat the bartender, and turned north, riding in a straight line to Dhirim. Her courser's speed meant she soon caught up with a party travelling to the town, the peasants pausing as she got closer.
"Greetings! Can I journey with you to Dhirim?"
The leader of the group, a man resembling the bull he was herding, looked at Brigid before shrugging.
"Can't see the harm. Don't expect money though."
"Of course not. Only company." The bull herder grunted, spurring his animal back into motion, and Brigid fell into place next to the group's lone woman. "I'm sorry but do you have some food? I can pay for it."
The woman scowled but pulled an apple from her basket. In turn Brigid removed a denar from her pouch, handing the woman the coin and taking the apple, biting into it with a contented sigh.
It took some time for the party to reach Dhirim, the peasants planning to stay in the town overnight, and Brigid left them at the gates. Her exploration of Dhirim during her last visit proved useful and after stabling her horse Brigid headed towards the artisan district, seeking a fabric shop she had found.
Stepping into the store Brigid glanced round, checking the different types of material on offer. The owner moved to Brigid's side, following her gaze for a moment.
"What are you looking for?"
"Enough cloth for a banner." Turning Brigid glanced through a doorway into the backroom. "And would it be possible for the shop to do some sewing?"
"Of course. Are the Leonine Knights doing a re-brand?"
"No. The Knights are gone. The banner will be for me."
The shop owner nodded sympathetically and took a length of red cloth, draping it over her arms.
"What symbol do you want?"
"A large 'B', with the Swadian lion and the Nord raven inside the letter."
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