After eating whatever Harold could offer, Orchid felt much better with food in her stomach. The man then took the plates and set them away to be washed later.
"So. Where do you plan to go from here?" Harold asked as he peered out the small window in front of the hut.
"As far away from the Dark Country as possible." Orchid answered with a hard tone.
"I see. Well, if you want, there'll be someone coming over soon to switch shifts with me. If you'd like, I'll let you tag along and I can take you to the King and Queen." Harold suggested.
"The King and Queen?" Orchid looked to the man confused.
"Well, I can't take you to them personally, but I can at least take you to the city they live in. Lots of opportunity there and places you could find to maybe make your own." Harold explained with a hopeful cheer.
Orchid sat uneasy in her seat. "I'd rather avoid people if I could." She confessed with a straight tone.
"I understand. There are other towns along the way that you can stop at if you want. I only suggested the capital because it's almost centered in the Earth Country, just southwest of the mountain chain. You can actually make it there by following this very river too." Harold poked his head outside the door and looked down the horizon.
"As long as it gets me away from the Dark Country, I'll take whatever path I need." Orchid said as she leaned back in her chair.
"Well you won't have too wait long. They're on their way here now." The man lightly cheered as another warrior on horseback came riding towards the hut and soon enough, they made it.
"A good day to you, Harold. How goes the border?" The warrior asked upon dismounting his horse.
"A good day to you as well, Smith. Same as usual, however, this time I have an acquaintance." Harold disclosed and gestured to the elf in the hut.
"Interesting. Not something you see everyday. What is your business out here, elf?" Smith asked in a curious tone.
"My name is Orchid." She corrected the man harshly.
Smith looked to Harold with a confused look, but Harold simplified the issue. "She's trying to get away from the Dark Country: Doesn't wanna talk about it much."
"I see." Smith began. "But why would she have been there in the first place?" He asked, but Harold shook his head and swiped his hand across his neck, trying to get him to stay quiet. It was too late.
"It's not like I had a choice." Orchid stormed out of the hut and started walking to the river, stamping upstream the whole time.
Harold sighed. "I don't know much, but I can only guess it's been bad. Being a Light in the Dark Country isn't something you see everyday. I dare not imagine what she's been through to have survived."
"Is she hostile?" Smith asked.
"She's strong, I can say that much. She managed to knock me to the ground and was about to skewer me with my own blade, but she stopped herself. I think she has trust issues and is a bit paranoid, so just be careful."
"Anyone could knock you to the ground, Harold." Smith joked at his comrade and Harold became a little flustered.
"Just because your stats are stronger than mine doesn't mean you can just shove me around." Harold protested.
"I'm only messing with you." Smith smiled a cocky smile.
"Whatever. I've got to get going now. I need to at least make sure she makes it to another town. That way we at least know where she is in case things go south." Harold walked to the back of his hut and pulled out his horse that was resting in its shade.
Orchid continued to march along the river side, annoyed.
"There is no need for you to be in such an angered state. The man was simply curious about what had happened." Young spoke up, trying to ease the girl.
"Well he should learn to mind his own business. What happened to me is my problem." Orchid was almost shouting in anger.
"It is also their job to try and learn about others who may pose as a danger to their country." The voice added.
"I don't care! He shouldn't have been prying at me to begin with. I wasn't asking him about his problems, so neither should he." Orchid protested.
"Orchid! Wait up!" Harold shouted as he drew closer on his horse. Once he caught up, he slowed his horse to match Orchid's speed.
"What do you want?" She grumbled.
"I wanted to give you a ride. It's quite a ways away to the next town." Harold explained with a hint of worry in his voice.
"It's fine. I'll just run like before."
"But didn't you black out after doing that?"
Orchid lowered her head and her ears fell. "Nobody asked you, okay?" She barked at the man.
"He is right. You overexerted your body after running so hard for so long." Young added on.
"I wasn't talking to you either, so just shut it!" The elf shouted to the wind.
"Um… what?" Harold looked confused.
"I'm not talking to you!" Orchid yelled to the man.
"I get that, but at least let me take you to the next town. You'll save energy and time, and I can spare you a bit of gold so you can get yourself something to eat and a night stay." Harold offered.
Orchid could feel her stomach beginning to grumble again. She really had put a lot of energy into that last run. Despite having just eaten, it wasn't enough to make back what she spent.
"Fine. But once we get to town, I'm off." The elf declared and Harold smiled as he held out his hand and raised Orchid onto the horse's back.