Valerie awoke as the golden light of dawn filtered through the trees, illuminating her meager campsite where she had spent the night. Sitting up in her bedroll, she brushed aside her raven hair as she rubbed sleep from her eyes, with a sigh and a yawn she rose and pulled on her boots as she began to make ready for another long day.
The evening prior Valerie had chosen this copse of trees to make camp. Relatively close to town the risk of encountering bandits or monsters was low, whilst the trees had obscured her from the unwanted attention of any passersby, in particular the many thieves who roamed around towns and their immediate surrounds.
Valerie was cautious of thieves for good reason, for her trade was that of a courier, making her a prime target for those looking to lay their hands on something of value. In particular Valerie specialized in delivering high value goods with speed and disgression, something which she already had a reputation for despite her relatively young age of just twenty summers.
Valerie had been approached in the nearby town only the previous day by a strange robed woman smelling of alchemy and things better left unsaid. The woman had specifically sought her out for her services after hearing of her good reputation and had already paid her generously, half upfront and half waiting for her upon the successful delivery of the item to her client.
Opening up her satchel Valerie inspected the package she had been entrusted with, a small leather drawstring bag contained whatever it was she was transporting, with what she was being paid she hadn't asked questions. Satisfied that the package was secure Valerie closed her satchel and finished breaking down her camp, after a quick meal of dried meat it was time to go.
Setting off down a series of old sideroads Valerie had no inkling of the changes to her life her cargo would soon bring, though for good or ill, fortune or ruin remains to be seen.