It was a warm day outside as Rue walked through the village. She glanced at the escort beside her and frowned. Stupid rules and propriety. "A proper lady can't go anywhere alone in this day and age, dear." Bah, her step-mother knew nothing about her. Aliana had no clue that Rue had been getting self defense lessons from the gaurds at the gate. Hahaha, she would have a fit if she knew. Rue smiled at the thought and glanced at the man beside her once more, "You know Stephan, we're far enough away from the house that you can leave me now. You've trained me well, I know how to protect myself, go visit your woman. I'll meet you in the village center at 6.oopm." Stephan smiled at the mention of his lady and bowed, "As you wish, Miss Rue. Be smart, I'll see you at six." Rue nodded her acsent and turned away from Stephan, towards the medow.

The medow was small and filled with flowers of all different shapes, colors, sizes, and smells. It was a wonderful place but, it paled in comparison to Rue's hot-spring. Rue had stumbled upon it years ago when she had first tried to run away from home. Of course Stephan had found her and forced her to go home but, not before they set up an agreement. Every day Stephan and Rue went for a walk. Stephan went to go court his lady-friend, and Rue went to her hot-spring. It was a little ways into the forest; hidden by a thick copse of willow trees on three sides. There was a rock face on one side that had a small but steady waterfall leading into the spring. The ground was covered in lush green grass and Rue had purchased a few small touch-ups at the market.

As she entered what she liked to think of as her "home" Rue smiled. Then she began to set her things up. Out of her pack she pulled a soft down blanket and spread it across one of the big flat rocks, next to the hot-spring. Once the blanket was spread Rue pulled out a small crate that doubled as a table. Setting it next to her favorite tree, a large weeping-willow, She covered the crate with a pillow case as a make-shift table cloth. Then Rue pulled out three pillows. Two went on either side of the crate to make chairs for the table. The last pillow went on the blanket to make it more comfortable to lay on. Once she was finished Rue pulled out a big book of poetry, laid down on the blanket and began to read.