Well... it seems your time in our prison has come to an end, little girl. said a guard in a Rune Knight uniform as he appeared from the opening of the 6inch thick steel door. The man twirled a set of keys on his finger as he looked at the 8 year old girl. She was strapped against the wall in a straight-jacket with iron cuffs on her wrists and steel bands tying her in place. A muzzle was strapped about her head which prevented her from speaking and a blindfold had been removed and now rested on her little chest. The investigation department finally finished identifying all of those corpses in your village. Further investigation lead of to conclusive information that you are innocent of those murders: well, directly anyways. said the man as he walked forward and placed his hand on Rei's shoulder. Her body flinched at the contact but it wasn't noticed underneath the straight-jacket. It had been two years since she had been secured in this insane prison cell: she was denied freedom, human contact and emotions.
The man reached behind her head and unlocked the muzzle and removed it from her face, Rei moved her jaws around, getting used to the feeling of some freedom of movement again. Then there were survivors?.. she asked hopefully, her eyes looking earnestly at the man unshackling her iron cuffs and steel bands that kept her body from moving the slightest. The man looked at her surprised, but then he hid his face from her by turning away. It was a terrible thing, having such a pretty little girl locked away like a wild animal on the accusations of another nearby village.
No, I'm afraid there were no survivors of your village except for you. The village that turned you in as a criminal was thoroughly investigated. You will receive a full pardon and apology from the Knights: at the time of your imprisonment, there was too much devastation and body count to properly investigate the cause. But now that we know the truth, you get to go free. With one final turn of the key, Rei was removed from her suspended state on the wall. Her little feet touched the ground, very unsteady and still unable to use her arms in the straight-jacket. Her unsteady feet and weak body fell forward, the Rune Knight caught her as her little body fell against him. He unlocked and then unzipped the straight-jacket. The jacket fell off and her arms automatically fell limp to her sides: she looked down at her arms and struggled hard to get them to move. It had been so long since she used her body that it was weak and unwilling to listen to her mind.
Your release papers have already gone through, as of today- you are a free and innocent citizen of Fiore. I heard you have some unique magic, I recommend finding a guild and becoming a mage so you can earn some quick cash to get a place for yourself to live and food to eat. It's a shame such a little girl such as you has to fend for herself, but I'm not permitted any personal feelings in the matter. I'll leave some clothes just inside the cell for you to change into. The Rune Knight left the cell momentarily and then placed a simple paid of grey pants and a long sleeve cotton shirt on a bench.
Rei looked down, her current clothing was that of her nightgown on the night of the incident. Torn and bloody, she quickly stripped out of it and changed as quickly as she could into the grey cotton clothing. Her movements were less sluggish and she could stand on her own two feet. She stepped out of the prison cell and the Rune Knight shut the large steel door. He guided her down the narrow square hallway, the lights becoming brighter and brighter as they went. They passed three checkpoints and finally they were outside. Two men stood by the gate, dressed extravagantly and obviously waiting for her. Two other Rune Knights of important positions. They bowed politely to her and offered their most sincere apology for the misfortune befallen her. The little girl kept a neutral face, not wishing to admit the past that had actually happened: right now, she wanted to focus on ignoring the intense light of the sun, it was unbearable.
Between the three Knights, they gathered a small handful of cash and gave it to her. Technically, it is against the regulations to offer released convicts any assistance... but you're not really a criminal. one of them offered with a somewhat friendly smile. Rei thanked them and bowed as the three men returned to the prison's interior after giving her some advice on how to survive in the world.
Rei walked a ways until she found a peaceful spot along the main street of Era, shops and food places dotted the street. Rei looked like a convicted criminal, wearing the grey cotton outfit from prison. Her tummy grumbled as she smelled so many wonderful aromas. The first thing she needed to do was get something to eat and then a change of clothing... she looked around until she found a place nearby, a small restaurant that served sweets and other foods. She gulped with rising bravery as she entered the place and requested somewhere to sit. The waitress blinked twice, confused and worried that this little girl was lost. Best thing to do was find her a seat and maybe look for her parents. The waitress led her to a booth by herself and ordered some food for the child. Rei sat silently, looking around and studying the body language of all those present- she peered at them through her unkept long black hair, her blue eyes barely visible.