10th Autumn, 515 AV
The sun peeked over the city, casting warm morning light across the stone towers, coloring the pale stones in shades of orange and red. It brought new life into the otherwise dreary mid-morning haze and gave spirit to those unfortunate enough to be up this early. These cold, breezy Autumn mornings were just one of many reminders that Summer was long behind them, and the days of snow and ice were quickly approaching. It was a time of haste, of harvest. Yet on mornings like these, it seemed like nature itself was slow to wake.
To many, it was depressing. The shift from bright and sunny summer too dark and dreary fall meant a shift in personality and a shift in tone for the city as a whole. Less holidays and more work preparing for the inevitable snow flurries that would destroy the crops and clean the slate in preparation for next year. Only the thought of a warm meal could persuade some to even get out of bed in the morning, much less carry on with their work. They lacked the determination to face the rest of Autumn and Winter.
Joanna was very, very different. While she was nevertheless sad to see the passing of Summer, she knew that there was much work to be done. For as dim as the light may be, it was her duty to help spread it to all corners of the world. Even in these cold, dreary times, she knew she had the strength to endure. If she didn't, who would? Her steadfast devotion would be more than enough to endure these times. This thought filled her with determination.
Long shadows stretched across the forest as Joanna made her way deeper into the woods. What little light that passed through the canopy was scattered aimlessly across the ground, casting long beams of brilliant light that look solid enough to touch. It was surreal, yet somewhat magical, like she was standing inside a painting. It was so picturesque, with the dying leaves fluttering silently through the air, trees shifting back and forth in the wind, and the rich soil beneath her bearing bright flowers and thick grass. Nature was so beautiful to her. Nostalgic too. It reminded her of the day she set out from Sunberth to search for her faith, finding it in the most curious of places deep within the forest. It filled her with warm thoughts.
She dropped her napsack and scooted it under a thick cluster of bushes. It was on days like these that Joanna liked to roam the woods for hours on end, simply enjoying the feeling of liberation. Even more so while she was in her equine form. Galloping through the forest, feeling the wind through her mane, the earth beneath her hooves, and the breath of life flowing through her lungs... such a sensation was unmatched. She unbuckled her armor and stashed it along with her belongings before slipping out of the last of her clothes. Her body, tanned to a light cream color, was built to last. Years of training and traveling had shaped her form into that of a true warrior; built to sustain punishment and deliver judgement.
But she did not stay bare for long. In the blink of an eye, Joanna's body gave way to a large draft horse whose size and height mimicked her human form. Without hesitation, she galloped into the forest, losing herself to the wilds. It was invigorating. She could feel the energy coursing through her veins, the very essence of the earth flowing through her lungs. There were no words to accurately describe the feeling, but suffice to say, it was incredible. So incredible, that she was unaware of those also in the forest, for as rare as that was.
She ran towards a clearing in the forest, her animal spirit overriding common sense, and leapt through the overgrowth into the bright light pouring down from the sun. It was only then that she realized she was on a collision course with an unidentified stranger. It took everything in her to come to a stop, her hooves digging into the earth as she reared up, towering above the stranger. She whinnied in shock, and fell back onto her haunches before scrambling back to her hooves. Still spooked beyond measure, Joanna skittishly paced back and forth to get her bearings. The contrast of the light made her temporarily blind and the individual she had just encountered was now just a blob of color. Who were they? What were they? Why were they here? And most importantly, what was going to happen next?
The sun peeked over the city, casting warm morning light across the stone towers, coloring the pale stones in shades of orange and red. It brought new life into the otherwise dreary mid-morning haze and gave spirit to those unfortunate enough to be up this early. These cold, breezy Autumn mornings were just one of many reminders that Summer was long behind them, and the days of snow and ice were quickly approaching. It was a time of haste, of harvest. Yet on mornings like these, it seemed like nature itself was slow to wake.
To many, it was depressing. The shift from bright and sunny summer too dark and dreary fall meant a shift in personality and a shift in tone for the city as a whole. Less holidays and more work preparing for the inevitable snow flurries that would destroy the crops and clean the slate in preparation for next year. Only the thought of a warm meal could persuade some to even get out of bed in the morning, much less carry on with their work. They lacked the determination to face the rest of Autumn and Winter.
Joanna was very, very different. While she was nevertheless sad to see the passing of Summer, she knew that there was much work to be done. For as dim as the light may be, it was her duty to help spread it to all corners of the world. Even in these cold, dreary times, she knew she had the strength to endure. If she didn't, who would? Her steadfast devotion would be more than enough to endure these times. This thought filled her with determination.
Long shadows stretched across the forest as Joanna made her way deeper into the woods. What little light that passed through the canopy was scattered aimlessly across the ground, casting long beams of brilliant light that look solid enough to touch. It was surreal, yet somewhat magical, like she was standing inside a painting. It was so picturesque, with the dying leaves fluttering silently through the air, trees shifting back and forth in the wind, and the rich soil beneath her bearing bright flowers and thick grass. Nature was so beautiful to her. Nostalgic too. It reminded her of the day she set out from Sunberth to search for her faith, finding it in the most curious of places deep within the forest. It filled her with warm thoughts.
She dropped her napsack and scooted it under a thick cluster of bushes. It was on days like these that Joanna liked to roam the woods for hours on end, simply enjoying the feeling of liberation. Even more so while she was in her equine form. Galloping through the forest, feeling the wind through her mane, the earth beneath her hooves, and the breath of life flowing through her lungs... such a sensation was unmatched. She unbuckled her armor and stashed it along with her belongings before slipping out of the last of her clothes. Her body, tanned to a light cream color, was built to last. Years of training and traveling had shaped her form into that of a true warrior; built to sustain punishment and deliver judgement.
But she did not stay bare for long. In the blink of an eye, Joanna's body gave way to a large draft horse whose size and height mimicked her human form. Without hesitation, she galloped into the forest, losing herself to the wilds. It was invigorating. She could feel the energy coursing through her veins, the very essence of the earth flowing through her lungs. There were no words to accurately describe the feeling, but suffice to say, it was incredible. So incredible, that she was unaware of those also in the forest, for as rare as that was.
She ran towards a clearing in the forest, her animal spirit overriding common sense, and leapt through the overgrowth into the bright light pouring down from the sun. It was only then that she realized she was on a collision course with an unidentified stranger. It took everything in her to come to a stop, her hooves digging into the earth as she reared up, towering above the stranger. She whinnied in shock, and fell back onto her haunches before scrambling back to her hooves. Still spooked beyond measure, Joanna skittishly paced back and forth to get her bearings. The contrast of the light made her temporarily blind and the individual she had just encountered was now just a blob of color. Who were they? What were they? Why were they here? And most importantly, what was going to happen next?
