Ivory Dove had stopped running away a good three weeks ago.   She’d been running from her village, from the hunt, from the danger at her heels, for at least a month; if not more.  She’d been running because she hadn’t known whether it was safe or not.  And she was not foolish enough to view security as a given.  Not with a government official’s blood on her hands….not with the way she exalted.<br/><br/>She didn’t remember the details much, she remembered the world spinning; the colors…they were everywhere.  And then the hands, those rough, soothing hands of her teacher, Silken Mercy;  the village shaman, dragging her away, nearly dislocating her shoulder in order to force her into her home.  It was there that a bag was quickly filled.  Supplies to help her on her journey, a handful of books to continue her studies; and then she was pushed away, told to run; to escape….<br/>So she did.<br/><br/>She ran, and she hid.  And she ran.  And she hid.  And she ran.<br/><br/>And she Hid.<br/><br/>And she Ran.<br/><br/>Those were the darker days.  The days when Ivory was forced to see just what kind of horrors and monsters existed inside the dark forests and jungles of the east. Beasts that had at one time existed only in her darkest nightmares; now came to life, out for blood.<br/><br/>She was also forced to come to terms with her abilities as an Exalt.  As a Solar Exalt.  And what she was willing to do to survive.  It was out in the wild that Ivory began to realize she’d do just about anything if it meant survival.<br/><br/>She had calmed down somewhat; had begun slowing down her constant mad dash through the wilderness.  It wasn’t like one could continue their education while constantly running.<br/><br/>So she’d begun to slow down her pace a bit.  Take a few days to rest by a lake that didn’t have any unknown beasts lurking around, maybe spend an extra day or two in a village; restock supplies, enjoy the luxury of sleeping on a bed.<br/><br/>In truth, Ivory Dove was actually beginning to enjoy the nomadic lifestyle she was leading.  She was certainly seeing far more than she ever had while in her village.  She was learning more as well.  Spells, things that could cause serious damage to anything that might cross paths with her.  Her books, gifts from Silken Mercy, all offered her aid.  Only one was an actual spell book, the other four were on a variety of topics; ranging in foreign languages to geography.  Helpful; most definitely, and quite a joy to read as well.<br/><br/>She’d settled in last night by a river, and the morning had been sent washing her clothes.  Allowing them to dry against the rocks; the young woman sets herself down beneath a tree as the afternoon sun dries her dark green travel clothes.   Setting her history book down on her lap; the young woman flips through the pages nonchalantly.  Running a hand through her pitch black locks, the newly exalted solar unravels her braid as her misty grey eyes remain focused on her book.  All was calm.  And should anything come out at her, her staff was a mere hand’s grab away.<br/>