The Time to Run

Avon woke up and found herself still up in the air. She looked around. The sky was a light blue and in the distance was the sun. It shone like a star in the sea of blue. Avon looked over to Rapid. Her eyes were half closed and she was gliding over the top of the clouds. She was half asleep.
Avon patted her neck and the dragon's eyes opened slowly. She guided her down, below the clouds and scanned the surrounding area. Below them was a town near the the coast. The only coastal town east to the capital, that Avon knew, of was Fort Nor. It was a small town whose only claim to fame was the small fort built one hundred years ago, used to fend off attackers from the sea.
Avon guided Rapid down towards a clearing in the nearby forest. Rapid landed lazily and roughly. Avon was jolted forward as the dragon slid across the soil. Ginger woke with a start.
Avon got up, her stomach aching. She unbuckled Rapid's saddle and put it to the side. Looking at it, she saw that it was the saddle of Duke Alpin. His seal was emblazoned on the from and it was trimmed with his signature pattern.
Avon loosely tied Rapid's reigns around a pine tree. She walked towards the walls of the town, lifting Ginger from her satchel to her shoulder. Fort Nor was a small town and she was unlikely to be found here, however, she wasn't going to take any risks. She walked into a crowd of people. Apart from Ginger, Avon easily blended in with her simple apparel.
She side stepped, avoiding the guards. Near her was a building, with a clothing sign hanging from the front. She walked in. The shop was nearly empty except for the cashier at the back. Avon walked towards the kaftans at the side. They were simple, perfect for her. Then she remembered. She had no money to buy them.
Avon rummaged through the satchel she had taken. Inside there was no money, but she found a small dagger. It was probably worth about forty rirso, most likely enough for the clothing. She grabbed the cotton dress and walked to the counter. Avon dropped it on the counter and asked, "How much for this?"
The shopkeeper, who had previously been packing stuff away, jumped and spun around. She looked at Ginger, then back to Avon and gulped.
"Um... Uh...." She looked at the dress and said, "That would be twenty three rirso."
"Will this do for payment?" Avon set the dagger onto the table and the shopkeeper looked down to it.
"Oh, that would be worth at least double the amount of this kaftan, are you sure you really want to give this away?"
"Yes, just give me the change and I'll be on my way." Avon smiled and took the coins that the woman handed her. The shopkeeper slid the knife towards her and put it away. Avon stuffed the kaftan into her satchel and walked out of the shop.
She made her way through the town and to the local inn. It was called the Pines Inn. Avon ordered food and a drink, then rented a room and sat there. It was already noon and she was starving. She had stopped at several shops, looking around the area for a few hours.