The next morning, Secela got up at her usual hour. Instead of going downstairs and working at The Hungry Chicken as usual, she packed up her bag, added some food to it, and hurried outside. Harda was there waiting for her, standing next to Shisalina. The previous night, Secela had told Harda everything, from her life in the orphanage and Secela and Ina’s attempted escape, to Secela getting off at the Veavelle train station. Before, she had only not told Harda because she was afraid that she would turn Secela into the orphanage, which they probably would have given her a reward for doing. But now, after having spent over a month with Harda, Secela knew that she would never do such a thing after having gotten to know her that well. As Secela walked out to where Shisalina was tethered, she saw Harda standing there, looking a little teary-eyed.

                “I’m really going to miss you, Secela,” She said, calling Secela by her true name. “You come right back to The Hungry Chicken after you’ve found your friend, and we’ll find you a proper home,” she told her.

                “Really?” Secela asked.

                “Really truly,” Harda replied, pulling Secela into a hug.

                “You’ve done so much for me already! I’m so grateful to you! I really owe you big time,” Secela said, hugging back.

                “Nonsense. You were a poor orphan girl! Only someone heartless would turn a girl like that away,” Harda insisted. Regretfully, Secela pulled away from the embrace and mounted Shisalina, slinging her bag onto her back.

                “Goodbye Harda!” Secela waved. “And tell Mr. Griem that I say goodbye as well,” she added.

                “Alright then. I’ll see you later, Secela!” Harda said, waving. Turning back and grinning, Secela waved too, then spurred Shisalina onwards, and galloped out of town. At the train station, Secela turned left, following the train tracks. If all went well, she should be in Jadiro by the next morning. Having never ridden a horse before, galloping like that on Shisalina (her own horse! All her own!) was quite an adventure. It was an amazing feeling of freedom, galloping next to the train tracks, and nothing else but a few bushes here and there as far as the eye could see. The time seemed to pass like lightning, Secela barely stopping to eat lunch. When she dismounted to do so, however, she found that everything ached. She almost regretted getting back on Shisalina. But she had to. She had to find Ina. She made a promise. And besides, she could almost see Jadiro!