she hadn't told anyone aside from @Ava Amara that she left.
she didn't know if they'd notice or care much; the bitterness that bursts from her soul tells her that they won't. she'd invited her sister to join her, but did not blame her if she preferred to stay; she enveloped her in an embrace and told her that regardless, she would be back, and that she only needed — time. away. needed to breathe. she did not say that she could not stand the faces of heda's spawn who she refused to call her brothers.
and so she began walking, having carelessly taken nothing with her but the food already in her belly. she had reached the grasslands by mid afternoon, and now the mountains called her into their arms with their promises of beauty. snowthaw surrounds her and prevents her feet from going numb, for which she is thankful. but she is tired, so tired, and hungry!
she'd never gone anywhere without heda.
where was she even going? what was her plan? she needed one, and soon, or else she'd be unlikely return to rivenwood in one piece. adrenaline had kept her going this far, but now her lungs are starting to hurt and exhaustion seems to override the anger. she thinks about turning around, and yet — doesn't. she couldn't, she couldn't; not after;
when she finally decides to rest, she curls up beneath the cover of a tall spruce and finally allows the tears to coat her reddened cheeks.