At the mention of Estelle, she laughed, ”I wish I could have seen that!  ‘Stell is a tough one, and I’ve not gotten near her just yet—and of course you both can come.  I’d appreciate the company."

Esme paused and grinned devilishly at Trill, “and I do mean the Rivers.  I understand the sentiment, and that only makes being on the other side a more interesting affair.  I’ll be sure to keep an eye on the on the seasonal attire and report back.”

She lifted herself up and stood, peeking up at the sky.  At midday, the sun was still high in and would remain there for many hours before dusk came.  It was the middle of summer, which meant the days were long and the nights short.

“I’ll be gathering some things from my room, and I can meet you at the south exit when you’re ready.”

Esme waved goodbye and continued to her quarters, located in the west wing of the university.  It was a quieter, greener place, brushing right next to the forests that surrounded the academy.  It seemed located in a world of its own, despite being an half an hour ride from Meridell.

When she first arrived, she wondered about the practicality of having a university, so boastful of its teachings and training methods, feeling so isolated from the world outside.  Though there were much faster ways to get to and from locations than horseback, public transportation portals being an option, the idea of isolating yourself for learning was an romantic ideal meant for philosophizers and academics—not fighters.

[i]Though Artemis would disagree[/i], she mused.

She followed the cobbled road to to an old brick building, ivy and vines creeping up its walls.  The wild would have devoured it long ago, but it was so old, and so enchanted, that it had practically developed a spirit of its own.  One of the wooden doors acquiesced under the push of her palm, lined with her magic signature.  Her quarters were modest, and she made a beeline towards her bedroom in the back.  Various vials lay askew on her bedstead, and she grabbed them all, tucking them away in her leather satchel which lay at the foot of her bed.  She opened the closet at the corner, and unlocked the chest that lay at the bottom—there were her weapons and valuables, which she meticulously arranged on her character; dagger in her boot, needles in the lining of her belt, and an medium sized axe strapped into the holster on her back, the only visible weapon she had.  It was always put her mind in a steady place, slotting her weapons exactly where they belonged.

With satchel tucked on her shoulder, she gave one last look at her room, before turning to leave the building.

Her horse was at the west stables, near the exit, but the fasted exit to Meridell was the south.  She walked quickly to the west stables and found her steed, a 5 year old horse that only responded to “carrot”.

“Dull witted as always,” Esme mumbled, giving it a quick, rough pat on the mane.  She led the horse out by the reigns, and pulled herself upright on its saddle.  After a quick readjustment on the seat, she nudged the side of the horse, and was sent galloping to the south exit.