Final Departure

---- Dalen Capital, Gularzob's Shop. Mid-afternoon, 0 DSTR ----

Winifred felt overwhelmed with gratitude as she left the space occupied by mostly men, and began to dress herself in garments she was more accustomed to in her early years. Sliding the gown over her slender waist, she slipped her arms into the sleeves, all the while her wings had plenty of space to breath. The back of the dress cut lower to allow her wing span to do as it it pleased. Smoothing her blonde waves, she jumped up and down on her tippy toes in excitement. Twirling in the privacy of the room, she grazed her hands over the front of the dress and breathed out a sigh of relief.

As she exited the private room in which she had changed, the robe she had been wearing hung over her forearm. Resting her eyes on Artem, she blushed slightly at his new appearance. Combatting the sentiment she felt for him, she let humor win her tongue. “Who knew there was a man under all those rags? The women of Dalen can now be put at rest, they no longer are at risk of gauging out their eyes.”

Lifting the robe to rest it on a table that was to her right, she turned to Gular and offered a pleasant smile. “Thank you for your efforts in assisting us. I hope that we meet again in attempt to return to both of our rightful homes,” Winifred spoke the last part with a stoic expression filled with intent.

Turning towards Lars, Winifred gave a small curtsey accompanied with a flighty giggle. “I don’t know what we would have done without your talents! I am so appreciative of all you,” Winifred turned to Isai and offered a bow of her head, “and Isai have done.” Hearing the offer made by Artem, she moved to his side, grabbing her cloak that hung on the wall next to the door.

“I can’t offer nearly as much help as he might be able to, but if you ever need a haven, my home rests in Verden, just across the river that separates the two kingdoms- near the first split in the river.”

Looking up at Artem, she nodded as if to do her best in having him begin the true departure.