Asahi-Taichou

Luciana had used the excuse of holing herself up in her wagon to study spells for the past few months in order to hide the fact that she had been meeting Agnolo, a guard from the city. She could hear the chanting of the evening prayer as she raced out of the boundaries of the encampment.
“We thank Gaia, mother of all mortal creatures, for her protection this day, for the magic she blesses us with as her chosen children. We thank Dante, judge of all, for the stay of his judgment for another day. We thank Valentina and Sergio for their gift of love, and also the gifts of sunrise and sunset from  Aelius and Luna. We ask the Gods and Goddesses to grant us all another day of their blessings.”
As the chants faded, she felt a tightening in her chest that she knew was different from the effect of running. But before she could give it anymore thought, she came upon the meeting place and sighted Agnolo, who was sitting slumped against a large tree. She slowed down as she came ne

From a short distance, they could see the brush moving, and they both strode towards it. Soon, a fawn came into view. Agnolo sprang from the path, immersing himself in the brush beside the animal. It writhed more frantically as it noticed their presence. He put his hands gently on its neck and wrestled the brush around it. Before long, he freed its neck and front legs. Shoving one arm deep into the mess of weeds he helped the fawn get the rest of its body out. The animal bucked as its hind legs were freed, and it dashed off deep into the woods without looking back. Luciana sighed in response. Agnolo stood up and picked off the large bits of leaves that clung to his clothes, looking towards her as he made his way back onto the path.
“I thought the people in the city were adverse to nature.”
“I don't know about most people, but I like to get out of the city and explore. I find that nature is such a wondrous thing.”
Luciana smiled, and they started walking down the

The pillars of the wall surrounding the city rose high into the sky, gleaming alabaster in the sunlight, and Luciana stretched her neck up to get a better look as she crossed through the wide entrance. She bumped into something and heard a grunt. Refocusing her gaze in front of her, she saw a guard. He muttered something and stepped out of her way. Ignoring him, she meandered into the market, pulling out the map Alfeo had given her for this task. She located her position on the map and found that the toll collector's office was at the end of the market street she was on.
Easy enough. Luciana thought to herself.
She folded the map neatly, slipping it into the pocket of her dress, and continued down the road. The road was lined with stalls. First, she passed one with butchered meats. She briefly glanced at the wares. The next stall had various beads and baubles that glittered on the table. She beheld their shinning beauty in various shades of colors, but soon shook her head. As she pulle