As we closed the shop on this last night for a week, I lingered till all the girls had headed to the boat which would take us from Cove back to Britain for the festival. Quickly, the Tanner I'd befriended handed me a leather pouch containing my three years worth of payment. The pouch was not as heavy laden with gold and silver as I'd have liked, but it was enough, I hoped, to buy me passage out of this horrible place. With a quick hug of thanks, I tucked the pouch into the pocket of my skirt and pulled my cloak tightly around myself and ran to the boat. The voyage was not an exceedingly long one and the seas were calm. In no time we were back in the Britian Sleeping Hall and for once the sounds of tired souls were replaced with friendly chatter about the upcoming events.
With everyone so excited about the Festival, there would be no searches of the sleeping quarters that night. I tucked the pouch under my thin mattress and readied myself for bed. Sleep was long coming. I lay staring at the ceiling for what seemed like hours going over and over my plan looking for places that might cause me to slip up and get caught. It was exhaustion that finally won out and my eyes closed for a dreamless few hours of rest.
I was wide awake before the bell tolled that morning. I lay there trying to contain my excitement. As the others began to rise and ready themselves for the days activities in town, I slipped the pouch from under my mattress and put it again into my pocket. I pulled my cloak on and headed to the streets. I wandered slowly among the booths and vendors, willing myself to be patient enough to let my plan play out. I needed to get my hands on some clothing that was more suitable, something that wouldn't identify me so much as one of Lord Blackthorn's drudges. I knew that I'd more than likely have to lie to get what I needed. My hope was that the lie wouldn't be found out until I was long gone..
On the edge of town I found some booths set up by families that lived in the nearby farming community. It was custom for them to have these out of the way vending spots so that they might sell a few of the items they produced on their own. There were harvest items of all sorts, baked goods, smithed items, and clothes; among other things. These families did not venture into town often, so my presence there would not be nearly as big a problem as I had at first thought.
I picked through the clothing choosing carefully a finely made pair of men's pants, a fancy shirt, hand knit stockings, a cap and also a beautiful hand made dress. I was also able to find a well worn leather backpack for sale. Paying for the items, I headed back towards the main part of town. Through the Pauper's Gate I turned right and followed the town wall till I came to the entrance to the underground sewers. Looking about and seeing no one nearby I ducked into the tunnel entrance and moved back into the shadow's. I hurriedly stripped myself of my work clothes and put on the manly outfit. I twisted my long hair up tightly and placed the cap onto my head. I knew I wouldn't pass for a man for long, but was hopeful that in all the rush and excitement of the celebration that no one would notice me among the crowd. Dropping my work clothes down the sewer hole I rearranged my belongings.
At another booth, I purchased a couple small leather bags so that I could divide my gold and silver and not risk losing it all if I ran into trouble. I also bought a pair of scissors. I knew that my hair was going to have to be cut off or I'd never make it, even with the cap on my head. Paying for my goods, I headed on towards the docks. Ships and small boats were coming and going as Festival goers came and went. It was on one of these boats, that I'd hoped to make my escape.
I paused for only a few moments behind one of the closed up shops. With a deep breath, I removed my cap and used the scissors to cut my hair to the nape of my neck. I tried to even it out a bit, and with the cap on, I looked more suitable as a man than I had before. Anyone looking for me would be looking for someone with long golded locks. My chances of escape got better at this point. I moved on. As I neared the docks, I heard one of the shipmen yell out last call for anyone boarding the chartered boat to Trinsic. A small group of young men came running and I fell into place with them. I went unnoticed. This being a charter, no tickets were necessary. It would be a very short ride.
I sat on the deck of the boat watching the sun begin to set, keeping to myself, and when we landed at Trinsic I forced myself to walk off the boat as if I'd lived there all my life. I blended in with the crowds and made a slow journey around the town, stopping at a tavern to have a meal, the first full meal I'd had in years, and settle my nerves. I asked about sleeping rooms and was directed to a nearby Inn. I passed a tailor's shop on my way and in an afterthought, turned around and went in. I found a beautiful ladies hat there that nearly matched the color of the dress I carried in my backpack, as well as a fine pair of ladie's shoes. Telling the clerk that they were for my sister, I made my purchase and went on.. These would be the last item I needed before I left Trinsic. I registered at the Inn as Edward O'Mera and went to my room. I cleaned up the best I could, trimming my hair more carefully now. Then I lay down for a few hours rest. I awoke before daylight and put myself into the fine dress I'd brought with me, and slipping the shoes onto my feet I looked into the mirror. I could not believe my eyes. Instead of the work worn drudge, a beautiful woman stared back at me.
Slipping into the hallway, I listened for signs of life. It appeared that everyone was asleep still, so I crept down the stairs and out into the quiet dark street. I kept close to the buildings out of sight till the sun came up. Then I joined in with the rest of the Trinsic people starting their days. At the docks I purchased a ticket for a passenger ship heading to Magincia and bid Trinsic farewell.
I knew that by now I would have been missed in Britian, and the search would be on. I needed a name, and a history. The Tanner who had helped me had a wife named Eleisa. I'd always liked that name, so I would take that as my first name. As I strolled along the deck that night, looking up into the black sky, my last name was born in the stars, and I became Eleisa Blackstar from Trinsic. I knew I would spend some time looking over my shoulder, but for now, freedom seemed very sweet.