章 9: The Noble House of Rozen

Peeking out of the root's shadow, Rie stared up at the approaching figure that loomed ever closer. She pressed herself into the shadow instinctively, making herself as invisible as she could. Her ears flattened nearly seamlessly into her hair, as instinct rapidly took precedence over thought. Shivering, she heard the crunching of a branch very near, and tried to scoot away silently, until a wet nose poked her back and she screeched in surprise. A hand snatched her up by the scruff of her neck, and she blinked in surprise at the blonde woman, with large gray eyes, who stared in equal surprise at her.

The woman's hair was tied up in an elaborate braid that wrapped around her head and trailed onto her shoulder, and her outfit was equally elaborate. A pale gray riding coat wrapped around her body, her chest straining the buttons. A white ascot was tied about her neck, hiding what the coat might have revealed. Tight leather pants, paired with riding boots filled out the outfit well. Only a single large pearl drop earring adorned her left ear, leaving her right empty.

Rie, looking at the woman, felt both reassured and terrified, hoping that her motherly assets were an omen of her kindness, and not that of an ego. She squirmed, hoping to get loose before the woman choose something she would not like.

"Calm down, child." The voice was soft and warm, like a sedative to her agitation. "I'm not going to eat you. What's a child like you doing in the Guilhard Forest? No one is allowed to live with in the forest, what with the sealing cave so nearby." Her face contorted with an expression of concern, making the otherwise sharp features gentle.

"I... got lost?" Rie responded weakly. "I don't know how I got here." Staring back, she wondered if she should have said that she was dropped into it by a goddess. She still had no clue on what this world believed, and she didn't want to called a liar, either.

The woman frowned. "Did you hit your head in the forest?" She asked, looking Rie over quickly. Rie just shrugged, saying nothing.

"I know," said the woman, suddenly smiling, "I'll take you home with me. We'll get you cleaned up and fed in no time." Rie was put in the saddle of the her mount, and the woman got in the saddle behind her. Reaching around her, the woman grasped the reins, called to her dog, and soon they were off through the forest.