You'd just fled your family just a few months prior, running from your house to avoid a marriage to a man twice your age, your parents furious disowned you, you've been traveling ever since, now finding yourself on the border of your kingdom and on the border of a nearby empire you traveled on the back of a mule your family owned, since women in your kingdom were objectified and strictly mandated on what they should wear and present you made your way to the empire where women were more free.

You where riding down the path, wearing a hooded cape to conceal your figure, in boots instead of heels and a shirt and long pants instead of a dress. Your hair had been styled short and your chest bound by bandages to help you present as a man. You're mule was an intelligent thing, calm and rode long distances, making the journey much easier. You traveled with some bags and a decent amount of money, you took back roads to avoid thieves and slowly making your way into the empire.

"Stop! You there! Traveler!"

You heard a bark of orders behind you as you slowly glanced over your shoulder as dusk fell you stared at the collection of soldiers on horseback, the man in front had ebony hair, a tall muscular figure and a stern cold look in his gaze.

"Sir. Would you by chance have a spare lantern to sell? Night is falling and some idiot forgot to bring one."

He gruffed, obviously annoyed as he rode up to your side the three other soldiers on horse behind him glanced at you..