A long-awaited purchase [open]

[Amiria Ghent]

Amiria nodded solemnly at her assessment of the situation and adjusted the reins in her hands. “War or not,” she began, “it’s human nature to want to survive. That’s nothing new.” She shook her head. It wasn’t just human nature for her, it was a requirement if she wanted to stay alive. Tyrian swallowed the weak whole and spat the pieces back out as a warning. She wouldn’t allow that to happen to herself.

Amiria shrugged. “It’s not…too big. Not as big as some of the cities that I’ve traveled to on business. But it is bigger than I am used to yes,” she said softly, reaching to calm her horse as it shied slightly from a noise off to her right. She whispered soothingly to the horse. “But knowing no one in the town other than my friend who is absent…it makes it very difficult.”

“I can understand wanting to escape the bustle of the city. I myself have a small cottage on the outskirts of my village. I prefer the solitude it offers me.” The statement was truer than this girl could know. There were people who still spoke of her father’s treachery to Tyrian in the cities and the hatred with which some people regarded her was never really hidden from her. She much appreciated the silence and choosing whether or not to offer the services to the people who hated her. “I am quite busy with my job. Having no help means more work for myself.” She knew that even if her companion heard it, he wouldn’t take offense. He was there to protect her, not to work for her and she was well aware of that fact.

“I hope you didn’t take offense to my assumption. I was married two years ago, so I just naturally assumed…” She let it trail off. No need to make more of a fool of herself than she had. She looked over at Juliana when she mentioned the fact that riding astride made most men off-put around her. She couldn’t help the corners of her mouth turning into a genuine smile. And then she did something she hadn’t done in the longest time.

She laughed.

It started out as a giggle, politely hidden behind her hand, which turned into a bit of a bigger laugh. She couldn’t help it. The comment was funny, and she liked this girl enough to think that she wouldn’t take offense at her laughter. “I…I’m sorry…” she said when she got her giggles under control.

[Juliana]

Juliana listened quietly to Amiria's serious response before offering a solemn nod of agreement. The thought of the natural desire for survival caused her to think suddenly of her father's death.
A shadow passed over her face momentarily and then was gone as she pushed the morbid and graphic memory from her mind.

The calming sound of the horses' plodding across the hard ground was interrupted as Amiria's horse suddenly shied sideways and closer to Juliana. The large black mare that Juliana rode took a casual glance in the direction of whatever had spooked Amiria's horse, but otherwise displayed no indication of worry or fear. Juliana reached down to stroke her mare's neck shortly, rewarding her calm behavior. She could see Amiria calming her horse beside her and smiled at the young woman's horsemanship.
"That's understandable," she acknowledged Amiria's point of it being difficult not knowing anyone in town, "lucky for you, the city of Sol is mostly full of good people."

Juliana's eyes widened slightly and a smile of interest appeared on her face as Amiria claimed to have a small cottage on the outskirts of her own village. "Really? Would you mind describing your cottage to me? I do love such countryside homes," she smiled. It was rare to meet another woman, especially one so close to Juliana's age, who owned her own small home and land outside of city limits. Juliana admired strong women like this Amiria was appearing to be.

"Certainly not; no offense taken," Juliana replied honestly with a shrug as Amiria began to worry over any possible offense she could have caused. "You've been married?" she repeated curiously, "I am sorry to hear it as something past tense." Juliana guessed that Amiria's husband must have died somehow, though she felt it would be insensitive of her to question the woman on such a subject. After all, the death must have been relatively recent, as she claimed to have been married only two years previously.

Her comment of men's reactions to a woman riding astride had Amiria laughing heartily. Her laughter was contagious and caused Juliana to burst into peals of giggles as well.
After several moments, Amiria attempted to apologize through her giggling, but Juliana shook her head with a bright smile still present on her face. There was no reason for her to apologize; Juliana hadn't taken offense to Amiria's laughter. "Why are you apologizing?" Juliana half-laughed.

[Amiria Ghent]

Amiria noticed the flickering shadow that crossed her new companion's face, but said nothing. Everyone had their secrets, and she lived by the rules of letting things lie if she didn't want people coming back and asking her questions she didn't necessarily want to answer either. So she simply stroked her horse's neck to further calm the mare down.

She shook her head slightly. "Yes, lucky me I suppose." She didn't feel lucky in the slightest and was comforted only by the fact that she had her guard with her. She paid him and the others well enough that even if they didn't particularly care for her, and she knew some of them didn't, that they would defend her simply because without her, the money would cease. "All of the people here appear to be very good people." But appearances weren't always everything. In fact, sometimes appearances were downright lies. Her father was the perfect example of that.

"My cottage?" Amiria looked puzzled a moment. "Well...um.... my home is small, enough for myself and maybe one other to live comfortably. I took the land on the outskirts of the village so that I could be close to nature and the herbs and plants that I need in my line of work," she began. Her gaze was distant, as if looking at the house that was so far from where they were. "My shop runs out of my home. I do not get enough customers to make it worth my while to bring my work into the town I live near."

Amiria smiled with relief as the girl didn't take her assumption as an affront to her pride, but it faded as she brought up her late husband. She looked to the road ahead. "He died about a year ago, may his soul rest in peace." She hated that after every time she mentioned his death she had to make the blessing for him. He didn't deserve it. He had deserved what he had gotten and she shed no tears for his death. "He was young...but then we can't always know when it will be our time." Especially when one underestimated their opponents.

She laughed all the more when Juliana joined in with her. It had been so long to have female company that she could speak (mostly) freely to. It made her miss her sisters terribly. "I didn't want you to think that I was laughing at you. I just...I found the comment funny for some reason..." She smiled at her. "I can see now that it will take quite a bit to offend you, Juliana." She admired Juliana's spirit, and were they not from two totally different cultures, she was certain that she and Juliana would be kindred spirits.

It nearly broke her heart to realize that this would be the extent of their relationship. Juliana would never cross the borders into Tyrian, and she only came into town for very important errands. There was no guarantee that they would ever run into each other again, and the thought of losing the first friend she had found in a very long time was a little bit disheartening. She supposed that was another reason why she lived alone. That way, she got to decide whether she would allow someone in. She frowned slightly at her horse's mane, but then turned back to Juliana with a well placed smile.

"What else shall we talk about?"

[Juliana]

Juliana smiled and glanced around at the passing citizens of Sol when Amiria acknowledged that the people here seemed to be very decent. Most of it was probably due to their king's wise and kind rule. King Joscelin was a noble man and many people felt honored to live in Sol, the capital of the Solrayan kingdom.
The people of Tyrian...well, Juliana couldn't decide whether to feel sorry for them or condemn them all as mean people. She had yet to ever meet a Tyrian citizen and doubted that she ever would; however, she had heard stories of their ruthless and harsh ruler, King Andrew. The people of Solraya labeled all Tyrian citizens as traitorous rebels--people to be feared and not trusted.
But then, were they not on the brink of war? Both sides probably felt similarly toward each other despite having never personally met citizens of the different kingdoms. It was all about stereotyping...and survival.

Amiria at first appeared confused or taken aback by Juliana's request to hear more of her home, but a moment later freely offered a description of her cottage.
"It sounds lovely," Juliana replied honestly, "sounds very peaceful as well. It must be nice to work out of your own home as an apothecarist. So you're just here then to obtain some herbs that don't flourish in your home area? You must live quite far away." It was just an observation and Juliana hoped that her new companion wouldn't feel pressured or cornered by her comment.
Juliana simply found it odd that the weather conditions would be so different in this girl's hometown versus Sol; the logical reason had to be that she lived far away, perhaps even in a different kingdom. The thought saddened Juliana slightly, as she realized that this girl whom she was quickly becoming attached to would most likely never cross paths with her again.

Amiria confirmed Juliana's assumption when she stated that her husband had indeed passed on a year ago. She couldn't help but notice that there were no hints of true sadness in the girl's tone or expression. Either she was over the death quickly or hadn't been so attached to her late husband in the first place. The latter was very possible, as many girls were married off quickly in their families for reasons regarding wealth or to ridding unwanted liability.
Juliana was grateful though, that the girl didn't break down into tears or anything; she hated to see others in pain, even though it was a frequent and necessary part of life.
Amiria mentioned that they couldn't know when their time would come, to which Juliana gave a nod of agreement. Many people even went through life assuming that it wouldn't happen to them...which was what Juliana had thought when she was younger. She knew that big game hunting was dangerous, but for some reason had discounted herself or her father as truly being subject to death; that fell upon unlucky others. But after witnessing her father being mauled to death by a gigantic bear, Juliana's whole perspective had shifted. Death became more real.

Juliana grinned widely, her eyes sparkling as they usually did when amused or adventurous, as Amiria explained that she had found the comment amusing. She remarked that it must take quite a bit of effort to offend Juliana, to which Juliana laughed lightly. "Life is short as it is; it is therefore best to enjoy it while you can...and one only makes them-self miserable to dwell upon the opinions of others that in the end do not matter." Juliana grinned, "so yes, it takes quite a bit to offend me."

Juliana noticed the sudden but slight change in Amiria's demeanor and expression as she frowned at her horse's neck. She nearly asked her new companion if she was alright, but Amiria quickly looked up with a smile and asked what else they should discuss.
The question made Juliana grin, but then she became more serious as she thought of something. "Will you be staying in town tonight or traveling elsewhere? It's unsafe to be traveling at night at these times especially, with that beast roaming the area by nightfall."

[Amiria Ghent]

Amiria kept her eyes turned forward as Juliana acknowledged the citizens around them. She didn't want to acknowledge them, nor did she want them to acknowledge here. There was no reason to invite either side to take interest when it was going to be so very quickly taken away. She adjusted her cloak over her shoulder again, feeling very cold even though the air around her was warm and comforting.

"My home is comfortable enough," she said. "I live in it and it suits me now, I suppose." She longed for the luxury that her father's title had given her when she was a girl and she longed to be a part of court life again. She wanted to be a lady again, not just some apothecary with a bad past. "It does offer solace and peace, though, as you have noted."

Amiria shook her head slowly. "I would much prefer to have a shop. Sometimes business takes up too much space in one's home." She could attest to that with several bunches of different herbs drying all over the ceiling and several more herbs laid out on the tables being prepared. "You are correct though, I live quite a ways away. It is well known in apothecary circles that Solraya has the perfect climate for some of the rarer herbs needed in our trade." Now that the fact she was foreign came out, Amiria checked herself internally. She had to be careful, else she find herself at the mercy of a woman who could kill her in an instant for being Tyrian.

Amiria was grateful that Juliana chose not to ask about her husband. She didn't like remembering him, and she preferred to think that it was all a very bad dream when she was forced to remember it at all. She didn't want Juliana to think her callous though. She wanted this girl to like her, since it was the first time in a very long time that she hadn't been judged solely on the deeds of her father.

Juliana's nod at her view of death gave her comfort in that she knew that the girl understood. She smiled slightly at the shared view, though she was certain that it was for different reasons. While she could only guess why Juliana had come to have this view, she knew why she had it. Watching her father and her brother die at the hands of men she was certain they had never thought would find out about their secrets gave her the idea that death could not be controlled, and that only God could tell when it was one's time to go.

Yet she found the idea terrifying that she couldn't control something that large. She didn't want to accept the idea that there was nothing that she could do to make some sort of control. That was why she became so interested in the seedy underworld of poisons and sleeping drugs. She became a merchant of death, and by her will or not, she could sell the drugs that would lead someone to death. That gave her a sense of control again, when her father's death had taken it away.

Amiria looked once again at her companion, cocking her head quizzically. "You do not think that it is important to know what others think of you?" The thought had never occurred to her, since so much of her living depended on making certain that there were people who would come to her for business.

She looked deep in thought for a moment, looking over her shoulder at the guard she had brought with her before back to Juliana. "I had planned to return home before the sun set. I have much work to accomplish but...as my errands have been delayed, I may have to find an inn..." She look slightly surprised. "The beast?" That was a Tyrian fairy-tale. The beast was usually seen as heroic as it attacked the Solrayans fairly frequently and seemed to be less interested in the Tyrians. She had heard stories of the beast attacking her people though, so she knew she had to stay on guard if she traveled at night. But wasn't it only a fairy tale?

[Juliana]

Juliana couldn't help but notice the 'now' in Amiria's comment that her home suited her, as if it were only temporary and not her first choice of lifestyle. "Now?" she repeated curiously, cocking her head to the side slightly, "are you hoping to move elsewhere?"

She nodded slowly in thought as Amiria remarked on preferring the ownership of a shop. "That is a good point," Juliana admitted, "I hadn't really thought of it in those terms."
Her thoughts of Amiria being entirely foreign to the Solrayan kingdom were confirmed as she explained that the climate of Solraya offered ideal and unique conditions for rare herbs. Juliana wondered what kingdom Amiria was from, but she remembered the girl's reluctance to give a name of her village.
The first kingdom other than Solraya that came to mind was that of Tyrian; but surely this girl was not a Tyrian. Juliana suddenly wondered if she was being too open with this foreign stranger. Amiria seemed friendly and trustworthy, but for all Juliana knew, it could have been a front as a spy. She frowned inwardly, chastising herself for being paranoid.

When Amiria questioned her view on how to feel when presented with what others thought, Juliana shook her head. "I've found that those who worry too much about what others think of them try to conform to fit a mold outside of themself, thus losing their identity. They may please others at first, but then they become miserable because they're essentially covered in deceit and cannot share their true feelings. I've also found that people who decide to simply be themselves and not live by another's standards tend to be admired."
Juliana quietly breathed in the fresh spring air before adding, "it makes a happier life when one stops focusing on the negative opinions of others."

Amiria mentioned the possibility of needing to check into an inn. "In that case, I'd like to suggest the Blue Boar Inn," Juliana twisted in her saddle to motion toward the direction from which they had come, "it's back down this street, but take a right onto the main street instead of a left. The people there are very kind and helpful."

Juliana frowned slightly at Amiria's reaction to her warning of traveling at night. "Have you not heard?" she asked, quite taken aback, "a giant wolf-like creature preys upon the citizens and travelers at night. I can tell you that it is no myth, despite what some people seem to believe. I have seen the horrors that it has wrought upon many citizens of Sol and the kingdom."
Biting her lip slightly as she frowned, Juliana then added, "I cannot honestly say that I fully believe the claim that it changes form to appear as a human during the day. I suspect that rumor was started out of paranoia and that truthfully it is just some massive creature in the woods that prefers to hunt at night."

[Amiria Ghent]

"I am," Amiria responded simply. She knew that she couldn't tell her where she intended to move to. That would only increase the mistrust of her. She knew that Juliana was wary already and she didn't want to make her any more suspicious. "It is human nature to want a change of scenery."

"Not many do. It seems like an apothecary should be comfortable running out of the home, but herbs take up more space than one might think," she said. She smiled gently at her. "But I suppose it is kind of nice not having to go into town every morning." She tugged her gloves further down her hand. "Though it does mean that people have to travel out of their way to come to me. That may deter some people from doing business." She was ever the shrewd merchant.

"I've found that those who don't worry enough about what others thing tend to end up in very bad places. After all, one finds in reading history that most people branded as heretics and traitors are people who didn't care what others thought, but merely wanted the truth told." She shrugged. "I think it is important to be able to at least know when enough is enough."

"The Blue Boar Inn...I'll remember that," she said. She wasn't sure that she had any intention to go to the inn. After all, Tyrian money wasn't as green as Solrayan money here in Solraya. Then again, it wasn't as if Solrayan money had any worth in Tyrian, so she supposed it was to be expected.

"I've heard of such a creature, but I have to say I didn't really believe in them. I thought them childish tales told to scare children so they wouldn't run away in the night." she said. Honestly, that hadn't much changed. She still didn't believe that any creature would be that sentient enough to target people specifically. She smiled at her. "But I will keep my eye out for such a creature should I choose to travel tonight."

[Juliana]

Amiria was short in her reply of any intentions of moving. Juliana gave a simple nod of acknowledgment, thinking over the girl's reluctance to give any specific details. It made sense to a point, but Amiria seemed heavily guarded, as though she were hiding something of grave importance.
Juliana decided not to pain herself too much over it though, as it was appearing that she would never see Amiria again anyway.

She listened thoughtfully as Amiria remarked on the pros and cons of running her apothecary business out of her own home. "There are always trade-offs," Juliana admitted with a small sigh as she thought of her own profession and the many sacrifices she had to make. There were days when she found herself wishing that she had attempted a different profession--something a little more acceptable for a woman--but Juliana knew deep down that she would become restless or easily bored without the excitement that hunting offered her.
“I imagine that you’re quite successful and well worth the extra travel to customers,” Juliana replied to Amiria’s comments. Her tone was honest, as this new companion truly did seem like a savvy business woman.

Juliana nodded in agreement. “That is true,” she admitted, “one must be able to find a balance between the two. It is important to know what others think to an extent and depending upon the situation. But I believe that petty and temporary things should not have so much energy and worry devoted to them. You are correct though; in order to survive in this world, one must keep their eyes open.”

When Amiria admitted to hearing tales of the beast, though never truly believing them, Juliana listened carefully to her tone. Her heart sank very slightly as she realized that her new friend was not taking her seriously enough it seemed. Juliana suspected that Amiria still believed the stories to be childish myths and thus was merely ‘playing along’ as she reassured Juliana that she would take caution traveling by night.
Juliana sighed inwardly and gave a nod of gratitude, saying a quick prayer in her mind for Amiria’s safe return home.

“We’re here,” Juliana pulled slightly on the reins and her mare’s hoof beats came to a cease. “It’s that building right there,” she pointed to the shop just in front of them with a sign that displayed a handful of herbs hanging above the door.

[Amiria Ghent]

She looked at Juliana after a moment and sighed. "I'm sorry if I sound really cold. I wish I could tell you more...but I can't." She couldn't tell for the sake of her guard and herself. She knew she couldn't order this girl to be hurt, not after everything that she had done for her and how she has spoken to her free of judgment. It would break Amiria's heart to have to do that and she knew, in the end, she wouldn't. Her guard would most likely end up with an arrow in his chest and she would be imprisoned at best or at worst she would end up like her guard would: dead.

"Are there trade offs in your line of work?" she asked curiously. After all, she had to assume that she was either of money or making a living herself. She couldn't imagine that any woman being born of good money would be allowed to ride around astride a horse, as it would be uncourtly to do so. She shook her head and bowed her head, as if in modesty. "Some people don't find it worth the travel at all. Some would rather let themselves die from sickness than come to me for help. But I at least have the confidence of a few well-paying patrons."

"Define petty," Amiria said, sincerely very interested in what Juliana had to say on this matter. Amiria longed to not care about her family's history anymore and longed not to flinch when she heard what the people spoke about her, especially when they didn't even have the decency to speak it behind her back. "I must admit that your views on this fascinate me. It's a subject dear to me."

When Juliana pulled her horse to a stop, Amiria did so as well. She looked up at the sign and bit her lip. She didn't want to lose her new companion so quickly, though she had known it was only going to be a short ride to this apothecary. Still, the girl had touched her heart somehow and Amiria was so lacking in friends. "I...I thank you for your help," she said. "Your kindness to strangers is admirable." She wanted to ask Juliana if she could write to her, perhaps visit if she had to come back to Solraya, but she knew that the chances of a yes to either of those were very slim. Besides, there weren't a lot of post riders that would bring letters over the borders. But she was so unhappy that she had to let this new friend go.

[Juliana]

Juliana offered a reassuring smile. "Do not worry yourself," she replied, "your reluctance to divulge too much to a stranger is understandable and wise." It was true, especially in these unstable times on the brink of war. Trust was not something to be given freely or too quickly. Amiria was simply living by these rules of survival.

When Amiria asked if there were tradeoffs as well in her line of work, Juliana unintentionally gnawed gently on her lower lip, as was a bad habit of hers. "Yes," she found herself replying before nearly collapsing in worry over how she would explain her answer. The tradeoff was disguising herself as a boy and selling in different towns, but Juliana of course couldn’t divulge this secret, especially not to a stranger she had just met mere minutes ago. "Since I too live in the countryside, I must travel into different towns to do business," she explained, "I sell leathers, furs, and such to different stores and people."
Amiria mentioned that some would rather die than travel to her house in search of a cure, causing Juliana to frown. She cocked her head to the side slightly as she studied the girl riding alongside her. What was her reasoning for this extreme belief? She made it sound as if the people in her hometown were either distrustful or reluctant to visit a woman for help. Of course, Juliana could have been misinterpreting Amiria’s statement, so she simply decided to remain silent. They weren’t the best of friends, but mere strangers, so there wasn’t much that Juliana felt would be appropriate to say in response.

"Well," Juliana thought aloud in response to Amiria’s sincere question regarding the definition of pettiness, "for example, the style in which I ride. I choose not to allow myself to be offended when people criticize my lack of proper ladies etiquette. Or if some gossipy women do not wish to associate themselves with me because I am not pretty enough or because I have a rather ‘odd’ philosophy, I know that their friendship is not worth my time." She frowned a little in thought before continuing, "there are things that one must respect, such as religion and hierarchy, but worrying over small things that others may say behind my back puts too heavy of a burden upon my shoulders. So I simply treat others with respect and fairness, as I wish to be treated in return...then they cannot use or hold anything substantial against me, as I show kindness and not malice."
She rose her eyebrows slightly in interest when Amiria explained that it was a subject dear to her. "Really?" she questioned, "and why, may I ask, is that?"

When they finally reached the apothecary, Amiria appeared to be reluctant to say farewell. Juliana understood fully, as she too felt the same way. It really was too bad that they lived so far apart from each other. It was strange, but Juliana felt a special connection of friendship with this girl despite the short amount of time they had spent together; it was as though she recognized this girl or knew her already somehow but that of course was a ridiculous thought.
"Thank you," she replied when Amiria complimented her kindness to strangers. She hesitated slightly before half blurting out, "please write to me upon your arrival home so that I know you have returned safely." Juliana nearly blushed at her request but hid the pink tinge in her fair cheeks effectively as she attempted to explain herself, "you are a remarkable young woman, Amiria, and I’d love to hear from you again if you wouldn’t mind."

[Amiria Ghent]

Amiria smiled in return. "I am glad you see that my reluctance is a precaution, not a commentary on the perception of your character." She pushed the hair behind her ear. "I do believe, from what I know of you, that you would prove to be honest and trustworthy, but one can never be too careful in times of impending war and all."

Amiria accepted Juliana's explanation for the trade-offs in her job. She had no reason to believe that her occupation was other than what she said she was. And Amiria could understand the frustration of having to travel. "I can see where it would hardly be an efficient use of your time, traveling from place to place I mean. And I can understand why traveling to other towns might be a burden, especially with wares like yours, which I'm sure can be very bulky if one has a large enough stock." She looked at her. "I'll have to keep you in mind when I am looking for fur to line my winter cloak." She offered another smile at Juliana.

Amiria shrugged and turned away. "All my life I've been raised with expectations of who I was supposed to be. My parents, then my husband. I was raised in court and expected to act a certain way there and I guess...I guess that's why it's so dear to me. I wish I could shrug off everything that everyone else says about me with the ease that you seem to be able to. But alas, I do not believe that it is a skill I have the capacity to acquire." She looked at her again. "I just wanted to know what someone else thought on the matter I guess."

Amiria cocked her head with curiosity when Juliana asked her to write. Did the girl read minds or something? "I...yes...I will write you when I have returned. It may be a few days yet but...I will let you know I have arrived to the safety of my home." She looked at the ground for a moment before looking over at her once again. "Thank you...for caring I mean..." She let the ghost of a smile play across her lips. "You're pretty remarkable yourself, Lady Juliana."

[Juliana]

"Thank you," Juliana smiled at Amiria's compliment of being trustworthy and honest. "Yes, I understand what you mean," she sighed, "times are difficult and trust is hard to obtain."

Juliana nodded as Amiria accepted the excuse of frustrating travel. "It is a good thing that I love horses so much," she admitted with a grin and patted her mare's neck, "riding gives me a sense of freedom, so at least the traveling itself is not completely a waste." Her horse snorted loudly, causing Juliana to grin at the black steed. She was so grateful of her father's previous love for the Friesian breed. Although they were usually reserved for knights, these horses were strong, stout, and agile enough to serve as excellent hunting horses that could pack equipment and heavy burdens. Luckily, Juliana was in the possession of her father's old stallion and mare so she was able to continue breeding to keep a small but sufficient number of horses to carry her wares when she traveled and hunted. Unfortunately, the stallion was aging and it was beginning to truly show.
"Please do," she smiled when Amiria mentioned keeping her in mind for a winter cloak, "what animal fur do you normally prefer?"

Juliana's eyebrows furrowed very slightly in thought as she listened to Amiria. Did this mean that the girl came from some sort of noble family? Or perhaps her family and ex-husband had simply been very strict on the expectations of a proper lady. Either way, Juliana respected Amiria's response but wondered why she was no longer part of a court.
"I see," she murmured before adding thoughtfully, "I've often wondered what life would be like in court, though I've never decided if it would be something I would enjoy or not. I suppose I would be an entirely different person had I been raised with the proper expectations." She turned curiously to Amiria, "what was being raised in court like?"

Amiria appeared somewhat taken aback by the question, causing Juliana to nearly blush at her rash outspokenness. "Thank you," she smiled, "I shall look forward to hearing from you then."
Juliana continued to smile brightly in response to Amiria's compliment. "It was wonderful to meet you Amiria," she replied genuinely, "I hope that someday we can meet again." Her mare shifted her weight as Juliana pressed a leg against her side, ordering the horse to turn back around and head for home.