The Priest's Daughter

Chapter 1

The first thing Luna noticed when she stepped out of the automobile was the clean salty breeze. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She could smell the fragrant aroma of flowers and baked goods floating in the air. The townspeople bustled in the streets, their animated voices carried in the wind. A soft smile spread across her face. She was going to like this town. 

"Miss? Your bags. I can't be waiting here all day."

Luna jumped, startled out of her daydream. It was the driver. The older man looked tired and slightly aggravated as he held out her belongings. He'd been driving for hours so it made sense that he'd want to to hurry off and go home. She had nearly forgotten where she was.

She gave him an apologetic smile as she reached forward and took the bags from him.

"Thank you." She dug around in her skirt pocket while trying to hold onto all her bags. She pulled out a small red pouch filled with gold Sephielian coins. "Your payment for the long drive." Her small calloused hands outstretched in an offering.

The man scooped up the money and tipped his hat. "Thank you miss, enjoy the rest of your day." He walked to the other side of the automobile and hopped in. A cloud of dirt kicked up as he drove off, leaving Luna alone in the road.

She shifted her leather bags into both hands and made her way to a nearby walkway, making sure she was out of the way of any oncoming traffic; though there was a noticeable lack of it in this town. Most of the traffic consisted of bicycles and horse drawn carriages; it was a rural village after all.

The streets and buildings were all made of old cobblestone, and many of the houses and shops had flowers and ivy entangled across them. A large forest surrounded the town on almost all sides except for one opening that led to the port. Aremore was a coastal town and fish was their biggest resource, although they had no lack of resources from the forest. The village was small but abundant. A terrific location for Luna whose profession was in herbal medicine. Foraging and gardening was a large part of her job.

Okay now I just need to find my new home. Luna shifted her bags awkwardly then flipped her hand to read the address she'd scrawled on her palm earlier. 212 Ivory Crescent Rd. She glanced around, looking for a sign that could lead her to where she needed to go. Her brows furrowed in confusion. There were no road signs. Her gaze shifted to the large crowd around her. She needed to find someone who could help her. Luna spotted a middle aged woman holding a basket of groceries walking in her direction.

The herbalist moved forward, raising a hand in a small greeting. "Hello, um do you know where I could find-" The woman brushed past her, not aware she was being spoken to. The village sounds drowned out Luna's soft voice. Her cheeks began to pinken with embarrassment. I shouldn't be surprised, I speak too quietly.

Luna was terribly shy when it came to strangers. It was different when she was doing a job or talking with people she already knew, but asking strangers for help was something she wasn't used to.

Luna tried a few more times to ask someone for assistance but like the first woman, everyone was too focused on finishing their errands to notice the soft spoken girl desperately trying to speak with them.

Luna huffed with frustration, moving to sit on a nearby bench in front of a shop. She set her bags down beside her and leaned forward, placing her face in her hands. She needed a moment to cool down. It had been a long day already and a quick break would be beneficial. Why didn't the letter include proper directions? She thought irritably. A simple address is of no use when there are no street signs.

Suddenly Luna's ears pick up the distant sound of hooves beating on the ground; quite quickly too. It was much faster than the carriages that were passing by. A woman's laughter rang out into the air.