Arturia opened her eyes, the sun had risen and was shining through the window. The last two days seemed like a blur, she'd been so frazzled from the storm and pirates that she hardly was able to speak when Asuna bid her farewell. The ship had docked in a small fishing town called Chestermillion, and from there she'd hitched a ride to Mordain, the capital city of Merravale.
Mordain was as dreary as you'd expect it to be, large stone walls encircled it on three sides and a river bordered it to the west. The stone was old and weathered, covered in soggy moss and blackened. The surrounding countryside was barren, save for the swamps and dead trees. The whole city had a suffocating aura to it, and she hoped she wouldn't be there long.
She didn't have much money, but it was enough to get her to Alphindale, to the Sanctum. Perhaps there she'd finally find what she was looking for.
She collected her things, paid the innkeeper, and went out into the city.