The streets were quiet as she slipped through the shadows, making her way from the docks and through the heart of the city. That had been the way of things since the winter set in. The leadership and the heroes all seemed to vanish at once, leaving the natives to fend for themselves. As the snows blocked the mountain paths, limiting travel between the Capital and the outlying villages and estates of Kraestrat, rumors of a plague ran rampant, causing life in the city to huddle behind closed doors and drawn shutters.
As the Wheel turned and spring reigned once more, people began to venture out. Larders had been quickly depleted and the return of game and wild forage to the meadows and forest was enough to coax even the most worrisome housewives from their homes. It was evident, however, that the common gardens had not survived. With no other to oversee the project, Vittoria took it upon herself. Having no knowledge of farms or gardens herself, she instead reached out to a Fae associate, providing the monetary support to have the plots seeded and tended for all the citizens to enjoy. As she made her way past the church, she could just barely make out the first green buds beyond the park gates, reaching jubilantly toward the ripening moon. A small smile touched her lips.
Slipping through the southern gates, she made her way along the mountain pass and to the manor she had called home for some time now. It had apparently been abruptly abandoned by its previous owners, with significant fire damage evident through much of the structure. Despite the new timber and fastidious cleaning, she could still smell the smoke and char that clung to the estate like some phantom reminder. Fresh flowers were brought in regularly, as were sweet beeswax candles to cover the scent.
She did not stop tonight in the plush sitting room, nor did she venture into her study filled with the many tomes she’d collected since her arrival. It had been a long day and all she required now was sleep. The full moon was approaching quickly and the promise of it sent tingles through her skin. The next few days would be draining, as they had been for centuries, and she would need to be well rested.
Stripping the silks from her luminous skin, she slipped between the cool sheets. The chatter and music drifting from the nearby Romani camp lulled her into a peaceful slumber. There was much still to be done.
![[Image: 96076592_1367926306729885_37849474887424...e=5ED8FC67]](https://scontent.ftpa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/96076592_1367926306729885_3784947488742440960_n.png?_nc_cat=109&_nc_sid=b96e70&_nc_oc=AQkASkVZ9X1OBouFQDZiLnfqhkrK3GcosYzlkYVDBEZO_3UEaConA31yaKQ3GHcwjC0&_nc_ht=scontent.ftpa1-1.fna&oh=3e9b6761c8f44792efdb8292b5f74444&oe=5ED8FC67)
As the Wheel turned and spring reigned once more, people began to venture out. Larders had been quickly depleted and the return of game and wild forage to the meadows and forest was enough to coax even the most worrisome housewives from their homes. It was evident, however, that the common gardens had not survived. With no other to oversee the project, Vittoria took it upon herself. Having no knowledge of farms or gardens herself, she instead reached out to a Fae associate, providing the monetary support to have the plots seeded and tended for all the citizens to enjoy. As she made her way past the church, she could just barely make out the first green buds beyond the park gates, reaching jubilantly toward the ripening moon. A small smile touched her lips.
Slipping through the southern gates, she made her way along the mountain pass and to the manor she had called home for some time now. It had apparently been abruptly abandoned by its previous owners, with significant fire damage evident through much of the structure. Despite the new timber and fastidious cleaning, she could still smell the smoke and char that clung to the estate like some phantom reminder. Fresh flowers were brought in regularly, as were sweet beeswax candles to cover the scent.
She did not stop tonight in the plush sitting room, nor did she venture into her study filled with the many tomes she’d collected since her arrival. It had been a long day and all she required now was sleep. The full moon was approaching quickly and the promise of it sent tingles through her skin. The next few days would be draining, as they had been for centuries, and she would need to be well rested.
Stripping the silks from her luminous skin, she slipped between the cool sheets. The chatter and music drifting from the nearby Romani camp lulled her into a peaceful slumber. There was much still to be done.