“I have had enough of your pranks and little jokes, River!” The old woman paces her tiny office while the young elf maid sits quietly in a large chair across that nearly swallows her tiny frame. “The other girls are complaining of how they cannot even take a bath without having their clothes stolen and hidden from them.” The woman sighs heavily before taking a seat at her desk while the elf snickers quietly. “I have kept you here far longer than any other orphan. Do you know why that is, River?”
The girl looks over at the headmistress with her large blue eyes, “it is because I have pointy ears and do not grow up as quickly as the other girls.”
The old woman nods. “That is correct. However, you have become too much for me to keep up with. I think it is time for you to go out into the world and try to find your way.”
River’s eyes widen as she comprehends what she is being told. “You really think I am ready? I mean, I don’t have any money at all. How will I survive? Where will I live? What will I do?”
She girl rambles on for a few more minutes before she is interrupted by the old woman. “Enough! You are making my head ache! Pack your things and be out by nightfall!”
River makes a nasty face at the old woman before standing and leaving the small office. She mutters under her breath, “that woman is going to send me to my death! How does she expect me to survive without any money for food? Well, I will show her!” The elf straightens her back with a new resolve and makes her way to the pig sty in the yards behind the orphanage. “She is really smelly. Maybe I should put some ‘perfume’ into her bed sheets to help her there.” River skips along the yard and fills a small pouch will pig droppings. She then sneaks into the headmistress’s quarters and dumps the droppings underneath the sheets. After searching the room for a few moments, she finds a small chest filled with papers and a few odds and ends. What caught her attention was a large bag of gold coins. She opens the bag and grabs a small handful, quickly pocketing it and leaving the room just as she had left it.
The sun has just set as River steps out of the orphanage, her small pack slung over her shoulder. She looks out at the still bustling streets of Baldur’s Gate with an excited smile. What an adventure! She giggles as she hears screams of anger erupt from inside of the orphanage; “She must have gone to bed early!” River laughs again and skips down the road while humming a soft tune to herself.