Adventuring she shall go

Jules the Ortusi was wanting to adventure. She wasn't sure exactly why she was drawn to this particular ideal, but it was bound to be interesting. She knew it would be a long journey, so took her time with the preparations, making sure she had everything she would need. She looked over the list she had written, checking off things as she assembled them.

It wasn't that tough, Jules thought to herself, as she rolled a blanket and tied it. She attached it to the saddlebag and nosed the other one, making sure she had remembered to pack that side properly. Her teeth grasped the leather hanging from her side and she pulled at the strap against her belly, making it tight.

She stood in front of her mirror, examining herself. Her black hair was braided and bound to her neck, and her long, black tail similarly braided and clubbed. She knew flowing locks like hers would just get in the way on an adventure, but her feminine pride just wouldn't allow her to shear them. She wiped her nose with a forehoof and snorted. 'Oh well, good enough,' she thought, flaring her nostrils.

She shook her head and left her home, intentionally scraping the doorframe with her antlers. The new scratch joined the multitude of others that marked her adventures into the world. She liked her method of keeping track. Jules closed and locked the door behind her, checking that her home was secure before she left for however long it would take.

Off to the dark forest she went. She had heard the rumors and wanted to see for herself what was going on. She wasn't nervous or afraid. She'd climbed the mountain for a Mystic Lily, what could a simple forest have to scare her?

She trotted along the path that would lead her to the forest, head held eye and a merry tune flowing from her lips. This journey would be a breeze.

Time went on. The Ortusi meandered on her way, enjoying the journey as much as she enjoyed the idea of what she was seeking. She didn't force her march, stopping for breaks whenever she felt like it. Sure, it might take longer, but it was worth it to not overexert herself. Especially since she didn't know what the actual forest might hold for her.

She finally found herself at the threshold of her destination. The woods leered at her but all she did was roll her eyes. She grinned and walked into the darkness, eager to find these "Druaesi" she had heard of.