After washing the soap off of their bodies, they both stepped out of the river, Tempest went over to his backpack and pulled out a small, red towel, and started drying himself. The Keidran he rescued stood in front of him, shivering, staring down at him. He sighed and shook his head, then threw the towel and her and started to get dressed, while still dripping wet.

"T-thanks.. i-it's extremely c-cold."

"Of course it's going to be cold. It's windy."

"W-well you can't blame a lady!"

"Whatever."

Tempest finished throwing in his items into his backpack, and waited for the girl to finish with his towel. After she finished, he took it from her and pushed it inside his backpack, pulled the rope, and threw it over his back. Then, started walking, back into the forest, with his companion sticking to his right, next to his Sword. His Sword was a gift from his Father, who was a Blacksmith. The Sword had black and red streaks of paint going up and down the blade, and on the hilt, blue pieces of fabric, that dangled loosely from his hand.

"Say, why do you carry that around?"

"No scabbard."

"Why not put it in your backpack?"

"Don't want to. Prefer to keep it in my hand in case any Keidran come along and try to take from me again."

"Oh.. so, where are we headed?"

"Orchard Valley? I heard that place was merely a myth."

"No, it's real alright. I have the location, thanks to a band of Keidran I ambushed awhile back."

"Oh. Well, do you want to know my name?"

"Preferably."

"Okay, well, Tempest, my name is Lixen."

"Lixen?"

"Uh-huh!"

Tempest grabbed Lixens' hand and pulled her over to a large tree, pushing her against it.

"W-what are you doing?!"

"Quiet down! There's a boat nearby, guarded by some Canine. Stay here, and come down when I say."

Tempest dropped his backpack and climbed into a tree, then jumped from branch to branch, until he was under the Canines. The view of the River from up high was gorgeous, with several mountains cramming three sides of the river, and trees going up each of them. After finishing looking at the sights, he looked down at his targets, a female and a male Dog. He gripped his sword and dropped down onto the male, plunging his sword into his spine and using his corpse to block a blow from the female. Using the corpse, he slammed into the female and made her fall over, then, he pushed the corpse ontop of her, pulled out the Sword and stabbed the male Canines' chest, making the sword go through him and into the females neck. He gestured Lixen over and hopped onto the Rowboat. Finally, Lixen jumped on, after making sure she didn't have any blood on her fur. After she sat down, she placed Tempests' backpack on the boat, then looked at him.

"Was all that really necessary?"

"Yes."

"But couldn't we have bought it from them or something?"

"We could have, but I didn't want to waste my money on something I can take anyways."

"But it's mean, and murderous, and against the law!"

"Lixen, when it comes to survival, I don't fuck around. Now sit down and shut up."

She was surprised when he gave her that response, but did as he commanded. After 5 hours of rowing, they finally hit shore. Tempest picked up his backpack, got out of the boat, and held out a hand. Lixen grabbed it and stepped out of the boat, and thus began another 3 hours of walking. Just before it became night time, Tempest dropped his bag and pulled out a box of matches, a package full of dry grass, and some wood, then started a fire.

"We're settling here, then?" Lixen sat down next to the fire and looked at the boy next to her.

"Yes, would you like something to eat?"

"Oh, please! I am starving!"

"What would you like?"

"What is there?"

"Salmon, some Steak, Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, Canned Corn, and some Apples."

"Uhm.. some Vegetable and Corn please?"

Instantly, Tempest pulled them out and tore the top of the Can apart, then passed it to Lixen, then pulled out a Spoon and dropped it in the Corn. Tempest then pulled out some Salmon and started cooking it. After Lixen had finished, Tempest was just starting his food. Lixen put down the Cans and fell backwards, rubbing her stomach while making a noise that indicated her thankfulness for the food she was given.

"Oooh my god.. that was delicious.."

"You're welcome."

"Oh yeah, while you were busy rowing, I looked through your things. We have a problem."

"And what would that be?"

"You only have one blanket."

"So? You have fur."

"BUT IT'S STILL COLD!"

"And what do you want me to do about it?"

"Fine. I'll sleep out in the open then."

"Okay."

Lixen rolled over and tried to sleep, but no matter what couldn't, it was too cold. After Tempest finished his food, he laid down a little bit away from her, wrapped in his blanket. Before he closed his eyes, he noticed Lixen shivering like a dog that was just outside all winter. He sighed and stood up, then walked over to her, and laid down behind her, getting extremely close, he draped the blanket over both of them and pushed up against her, making sure the blanket was over both of them.

"This won't be happening often."

"G-good! I didn't want it to happen often anyways!"

Tempest closed his eyes and fell asleep instantly, while Lixen stayed awake. This was her first time being this close to anyone, and it felt surprisingly good. 'Well.. might as well cherish the moment before it passes..' She grabbed the little boys' arm and put it over her stomach, then laid her head on the ground. 'Good-night..'