Gilded Bay No quarter from these chains

for @Arturo :)

The idea of leaving these lands crossed her mind but Aniu found herself drawn into it. Really, what was waiting for her outside? More wandering about in a grieving, mindless stupor? It was time to move on, Layla would have wanted that of her. The girl had always thought Aniu to be strong, idolized her as some hero and in reality she was still moping even months after her daughter's demise. Aniu was no hero, only a weakened woman with no purpose. It was a depressing thought.

Her path took her northeast, past sand dunes and out onto the coast. The scent of brine and salt was strong, brought in by the heavy wind that ruffled her coat and made Aniu look even more wild than her deformities had. The waves rolled in gently, lulling in an almost hypnotic matter as Aniu turned to her left to take them in. The tide was coming in, slowly but surely and hadn't even begun to reach the tidepools to her right.

Aniu padded over to them, cocking her head at the odd creatures inside them. She had never eaten seafood and couldn't begin to name some of the animals, though she recognized some as fish. Unwilling to chance death on eating one of the colorful, possibly poisonous, seafare; Aniu moved on. Coming across a dead seagull, she snatched up the caracass and made her way to a high hill away from the danger of the incoming tide to eat in peace.