As they left the city the elf took a deep breath.

"Finally I can speak."

They all got on the horses.

"So what is your name? Yesterday we forgot to ask it."

"Typical..."

Joseph looked at him questioningly.

"We just got you out of jail, what's your problem?"

"I would've got out by myself!"

"Like when they caught and cursed you?"

He didn't answer but looked really angry by the comment.

"Arborus. My name is Arborus."

Then he went ahead of them.

"Catherine I feel like we just got some annoying luggage on our neck."

"My suggestion is that we just leave him. It would be funny."

"Then why did we even get him out of the jail? He will be thrown back."

"That was your idea."

Catherine went after him, leaving Joseph.

"True... It was a stupid idea..."

He followed her on the road.

Their first stop was at a village on a crossroad that led to Krishmar on the north, a harbor city called Jalms on the east, and the next village on the south. These villages had no names, they all belonged to the city next to them and had the same rulers. For example, it was one of the villages that were controlled by Krishmar. They just called them the South, East, West, or North Village of Krishmar, etc.

It took them a week to get there and on the way, they set up tents to rest in every night. The roads were safe because they were patrolled by guards and soldiers because they were important trade routes.

On the way there Arborus complained about everything. The food, tents, the horse, even because of the sunny days.

Joseph and Catherine wanted to ditch him, just when they arrived at the first village. In there they stayed at an inn and he was finally silent. He just drank at a table on the other side of the room and stared at the wall.

"What do you think, what is his problem, Joseph?"

Joseph just smiled at her.

"I'm not sure. Maybe he drunk too much?"

Catherine shook her head.

"What? He is an annoyance you know as well. Until he is silent I'm fine with it."

"Are you sure? Maybe he only complains because he has some problems. Why are you so offensive against him?"

Joseph narrowed his eyebrows.

'Wait. Why am I so negligent about him? Maybe if I just talk to him he would be fine. Why do I not care about it even a little bit?'

As he finished his line of thought Catherine stood up and walked up to Arborus.

'Whatever. She will figure out something.'

Catherine stayed with the kid and spoke with him.

The next day morning he was more silent than before. As they were buying supplies he was even helpful. They took the rest of the next day off and decided to go in the next morning.

Joseph and Catherine were sitting away from him again and were eating dinner.

"So, what did you two talk about?"

"Just some stuff. Nothing important."

"It does not seem like that for me. He behaved better than yesterday."

"He did. It seems like he just had a lot on his mind and was frustrated."

"I see. Was it about the things that happened a few months ago?"

"Yes. He is worried that a lot of the people died."

Joseph shrugged.

"I don't know how many people are alive, but I'm sure that most of the people from the mansion survived. They were even stronger than you, so it would be strange if they would've died."

"Stronger than me? What do you mean?!"

"You know, they are the ones I was talking about back then."

"I'm really curious now. I want to see who they are."

"You will don't worry."

She didn't answer. The rest of the night went peacefully.

The next morning they left the village.