I dropped my arms to my side, a loud sigh escaping my mouth. “What?” she asked defiantly. I could have told her that it wasn’t safe to come with me but she knew that. I could have told her that I was planning on leaving for a long time but she knew that too. I could have told her that I didn’t want her to come but that would have been a lie.

I reached out my arm to take one of the bags from her and swung it over my back. “We need to find some protection. We should join a sect.” She threw me an apple. I took a bite out of it, the sweet juices blazed through my mouth reminding me I hadn’t eaten in days. She laughed at my expression, she must have realised I had nothing to eat. It was probably my stomach’s loud groaning. I continued to devour the apple.

“If we’re joining a sect, why not the ones nearby?”

“They don’t suit me,” I said.

“Aren’t you just being picky?” she asked with her hands on her hips.

“I have to be picky!” I argued. “My cultivation technique requires a partner and I doubt my reputation is going to work in my favour here.”

“So anywhere in, or around the city is out of the question.” She said as she walked towards the door upon a final sweep of the house. “Put this on,” she said as she took a straw hat from a hook on the wall.

“Why didn’t I think of this?” I reflected on all the times it could have come in handy, I felt slightly disappointed in myself. She chuckled as I adjusted the hat to hide my face.

“You’ve had quite a lot on your mind lately, I would imagine.” She laughed as she opened the door to leave.

“That I have,” I sighed as I followed her out.

“Then, allow me to pick the destination?” she asked, walking alongside me.

“Well, I know next to nothing about what’s outside the city so I think that’s best.” I said, cursing the old Sen'o’s lack of education.

“I’ve got a pretty good place in mind,” she smiled mysteriously as we set off.

We walked through the city, trying to stay inconspicuous. Fortunately my hat and our plain clothes were enough to keep eyes off us. We finally passed the last few houses and were greeted by the sight of a long road surrounded by acres of farmland.

Safi swivelled around to give the city a last look. I turned too, I was happy to leave it behind but would be ever thankful to it. I looked at Safi as she turned too and smiled at me.

“We best be off,” she said and turned to the road again. I jogged to catch up and we began walking.

“Care to enlighten me as to where we’re going exactly?” I asked after a minute of silence.

“Well, I read about a place called Gutura. It’s a city South of here. Buried in the trench of a large mountain to protect itself from the harsh winds and ferocious fauna inhabiting the surrounding jungle.”

“Sounds inviting,” I said a little sarcastically.

“It’s said to be the most beautiful city on the continent,” said Safi smugly.

“Well, I suppose I won’t need a sect for protection if it’s far enough away.” I said with a shrug.

“Oh, there’s a sect there as well.” she said now with a very clear grin on her face.

“Oh?”

“Oh, indeed. It’s a ruthless sect, one that is famous for its absurdly high standards.” she lectured.

“Well, I suppose you’d need high standards if you were surrounded by ferocious fauna.”

“And exposed to harsh winds,” she added.

“Ah yes, how could I forget the winds.” I said with a laugh. “So, what’s it called?”

“Hall of the Mountain Gods.” she said.

“Quite a powerful name, maybe they focus on strength techniques.” I surmised.

“There’s a division of experts within the sect called Gutura’s Mountain Gods. There are many tales based on their heroic feats.” said continued, ignoring my haphazard guess.

“You seem to be quite knowledgeable…” I said. She turned red, I realised I may have come across judgmental. “I didn’t mean that in a bad way, it’s not…”

“No, I know.” she interrupted. “I’ve just… Never really talked like this to anyone.”

“I’d be happy for you to tell me more.” I said. She laughed. “What?” I asked.

“Ah, sorry! It’s only… All my life I’ve been reading books. So much so that when I was old enough to work I got a job at the library just so I could read more. Stories were always trapped within the confines of their covers. Places like Gutura were mere words on a page.” she said, I nodded in understanding. “And you… You’ve gone from the worst thing in my life to the person that has torn the covers apart and allowed me to finally live my own story.”

“Well, books aren’t that tough to tear apart. They’re only paper…” I said jokingly. She giggled and continued.

“Gutura, however, is a long way off.” she said. The farmland was beginning to come to an end now and the road continued through plains of tall grass. I could see hills in the distance, the road avoided their steep slopes and instead wove round them. “We should find a quicker mode of transport.” said Safi, looking at the daunting distance ahead of us.

“I think you might be right.” I said.