Step, step, another step. Each of Brutus' steps shows hints of hesitation, as his feet experience their newfound freedom, his mind is burdened by guilt, 'Is this really okay?', Brutus thought, as his eyes settle upon the vast green plains, the dirt path before him, and the boundless blue sky.
'Now that I think about it... where am I supposed to go now?', Brutus puzzled. 'I was so caught up in running away that I hadn't even spared a moment to think about what I'm supposed to do now. ' Brutus continued to wander.
...
'damn, I'm thirsty, I should've at least brought my canteen with me.' And as fate would have it, the plains parted to reveal a little blue lake waiting for him.
'Well, I'll be damned. ' Without wasting any time, Brutus walked over to the body of water, knelt by it. And before he could take a drink, he caught a glimpse of himself in the rippling water, or rather, his helmet, its red plume, its T-shaped cutout and chrome surface. A knight's face, his burden. Tied by oaths he never truly believed. So he slid off the helmet and set it gently on the grass by his knees, revealing his face hidden underneath: short black hair, steel-grey eyes, and a handsome face.
'How could I just leave my post like that?! Now I really can't come back, or else the commander's gonna beat my a-'
So, as Brutus finished his drink, he got to his feet and walked away once more, leaving the helmet on the shore looking out on the water.
...
"Why... the hell... IS NOTHING HERE?!" Brutus roared.
"I've walked for damn near 5 hours, and there's still no sign of any villages around..." It was already getting dark, and Brutus hadn't seen a lick of civilisation. By now, the great green plains had turned to a dry, orange desert.
'Where the hell am I? Why am I in a desert now?'
With nothing else to do, Brutus had no choice but to keep going.
...
Step, step, another step. Brutus sighed, dragging one foot after another. Only to nearly walk straight into the path of a carriage he hadn't heard approaching, making the driver yelp and yank on the reins.
"Oi! Watch where you're goin', Lad!"
Brutus stared dumbfounded. "...Are you...real?"
"Am I real? 'Course I'm real Lad! What type of question even is that? A better question is, what's a kid like you doing all the way out in the wild-lands?"
"The Wild-Lands? What's that?" Brutus puzzled.
"Huh? How can you not kno-" and just before the driver could ask, a voice from inside the carriage called out, "Ma~rk, what's the hold up~".
"A-ah, i-it's nothing, my Lady!" Mark replied quickly, "Out of the way, Lad! I've got places to be!" and with that, the carriage slowly made its way past Brutus, who was still dumbfounded by the whole ordeal, and didn't notice that these people were likely his only way to make it out of here.
"W-wait!" Brutus called out.
"What now, Lad?"
"Uhh, could you maybe possibly please help me?" Brutus pleaded.
"Help you? No, sorry, Lad, as I've said we've got-" and once again, Mark was interrupted by the voice inside. "Oh, for god sake, Mark!" At the same time, the door of the carriage slowly opened to reveal a gorgeous brown haired woman stepping out.
"My Lady!" Mark called out, "There's no need for you to trouble yourself!" Turning to look at Mark, the lady scowled, "Enough, Mark.
"A-ah, as you wish."
Turning once more to examine Brutus, the lady asked, "What's a handsome man like you doing out here all alone?"
Taken aback by her beauty, Brutus could only reply with, "Uhh, I uhh was just out for a stroll"
Letting out a harmonious giggle, the lady said, "Really? A stroll? In the Wild-Lands?"
"Uhh... You two keep mentioning the Wild-Lands. What is that?"
"What are the Wild-Lands? Hmm, why, it's the edge of the world, of course!"