Darin nodded back to Ridahne as she whispered as well, “Of course.”

So, at least the problem about wielding a knife while it was dark was solved. Darin had to wonder why Ridahne had changed her mind. For some reason Darin didn’t think it was her clumsiness that had encouraged the change. The human almost wanted to say that it was the upset boy. Darin couldn’t figure out why one boy would prompt the sudden change. It was clear he wasn’t happy with her, but she sincerely doubted that he, or anyone here, would attack the Seed-Bearer. She could be wrong. Perhaps she was placing more importance on her title than she was entitled too.

Ravi spoke quietly to her, “That was uncalled for Darin. It was not your place to tell them the truth of my actions.”

Darin’s head whipped around to stare at him so fast it almost hurt her neck, “And it was not your place to guilt me into playing. It was not your place to touch me without my consent.”

Ravi interrupted, “Those we necessary. They will help you become the Seed-Bearer.”

Darin scoffed, “And what is that supposed to mean.” She scoffed, “You keep acting like my actions surprise you or are uncalled for; like a I am a child that refuses to make the decisions their parents want them to make.” She shook her head, “I am not here to be the Seed-Bearer you think I ought to be. By The Tree, I’m not hear to be the Seed-Bearer at all.” She spoke over Ravi’s protests, “I am here to do the job, and whether or not it is the best way or not I am going to do the job my way. You may not like it. It may irk you, but that is how I have always done things. I do not do what is expected of me. I do not do what society of my elders require of me. I do what I think I must to get the job done! That is what I have done since I was 14. That is what I plan to do until the day I die. Maybe it is stupid. Maybe it is naïve. But not telling your loved ones that you plan to leave them is stupider by far!” She stood up and pushed away from the table, “Excuse me.” She mocked a bow towards the Overseer, “I would hate to cause a scene in public.”

That wasn’t entirely true. She just couldn’t stand to be between two Elves who thought it was okay not to include their loved ones in their plans simply because that didn’t align with their plans. Alright, she had issues. What her father had done had left some scars on her soul and mind. It made her world view a little skewed. Perhaps she was not taking the job as Seed-Bearer as seriously as she ought. Perhaps she was doing it all wrong. She was doing it the only way she could think to do it, and to be honest, she was tired of people telling her she was doing it wrong.

Darin stalked out of the Main Farmhouse and found herself heading towards the small hut where Taja was resting without really thinking about it. Talbot was standing guard outside. He was laying down and for a moment Darin paced back and forth in front of him. He caught her pant leg in his teeth. She took the hint and collapsed on the ground next to him. She wrapped her arms around her bent knees. It wasn’t long before a sheep dog came out of the twilight and curled up next to her. The dog ignored the fox that did the same on the other side. Several animals gathered around Darin. Crows and ravens landing on the ground to search for something near her feet. A butterfly landed on her hair. Another fox joined the first one. It wasn’t until the grey mouser cat forced its way on to her lap and butted her head under chin that the young human, for the first time in a long, long time, started to cry. She never wanted this. She never asked for this. Now she was who knew how far away from home on a journey she apparently couldn’t do right for anyone with people after her who wanted her dead and stuck with an Elf who was very, very good at making Darin feel guilty whether she knew it or not. Darin wanted to go home. More than anything she wanted her bed, her goats and chickens, her Mama. She wasn’t ever going to get that again, and she was supposed to be okay with that. She didn’t want to be the bigger person. She just wanted to go home.