Despite herself, Orchid knew nothing.

She had read every book on her mother's shelf, over and over, until the knowledge was engraved in her mind. She had memorized nearly every village, ever Temple, every kingdom known to man. She had spent countless hours studying trade routes and passages, and even more time spent on studying the wonders of magic. She had studied all the known history, she had memorized all the bones and muscles of your body, and how to care for them. She knew what berries were safe to eat, how to find water in the wild, how to hunt and farm and scavenge. In the seventeen years she had been alive, she spent every minute learning. But she knew that wasn't enough. She needed more. She wasn't ready for the world, and she knew it. But as Orchid Maple, the loner girl who had never taken a foot out of small outlying settlement of Adeluna City, stepped onto the path that lead to the big castle that was the center of Adeluna City, she knew she couldn't turn back.

"If you are going, do not come back until you have made a difference." Orchid's mother had said, just before she left. Her mother's sea blue eyes had filled with sorrow and longing, and even now when she stood at the beginning of this road, she could feel those intense eyes burning in her soul. Begging her to stay.

"I'll be back soon, then." Orchid had answered. This had made her mother smile.

Taking a deep breath, Orchid closed her eyes, and took one step onto the small dirt road. When she opened them, her heart raced. She was doing it. She was going places. She walked, quite slowly at first, but then picked up speed. She was starting to feel like a real traveler, with her simple robe, and her tall, glass-ball topped staff, the silver coins her mother had given her tied securely to her waist. And the knapsack, slung on her back, with the few books she was able to convince her mother to give her. And the wind weaving through her dirty blonde hair, the gravel stirring up beneath her feet, and the weight of her bag, made it all feel so real. This was really happening. Orchid Maple was going to Adeluna City.

Orchid Maple hated Adeluna City.

Upon arrival to the gate, Orchid could already tell she did not favor the city. It was too dense, and everything moved too fast. Not just that, but it had a lingering doom, like one wrong move would destroy any chance of ever accomplishing anything here. Or that may just be her nerves. She wasn't completely sure.

And the gates were ginormous. Intimidating, the walls stretched out as far as Orchid could see. She felt smaller than ever, vulnerable and helpless. If the walls were this big, the city must be huge, she realized. This almost made her feel dizzy.

As she reached the gate, the guards checked her quickly, and let her into the city.

Now, Orchid had lived in the shadow of the city all her life. Every time she looked up from her bedroom window, she saw the magnificent castle, and its surrounding structures. She had always dreamed of what it was like there; clean streets, shops on every corner, merchants and farmers offering trade to you on the street. She didn't imagine it as a claustrophobic, dirty, confusing mess. She was basically being squished by the amount of people, and they were all moving way to fast. She stumbled and tripped, the people sweeping her off her feet, and stepping over her. On her hands and knees, she weaved her way throw the stampede of feet and wagons and animals. After many squashing of the fingers, Orchid managed to crawl out of the crowd, and into a small alley-way, a small space between to buildings. Feeling dizzy, disoriented, sick and regretting life, Orchid leaned against one of the building's walls, and clenched her stomach, groaning. Slowly, she sat down in the small alley way, trying not to puke her guts out. Orchid was not at all read.