Welcome to Gaia! ::

Earendil shook his head at Miyuki's question. "I'm sure a little bit won't hurt him, though," he assured her, "and we don't even know if he ate any of it."

River tugged on Miyuki's hand. "Come on, now that we know the ball has been found, let's clean that box so we can head back for some lunch!"

It didn't take them too long to clean the box off, and when they were finished, everyone returned to where Wren was waiting with the horses and cart.

From there, it was a long ride back to the palace, where everyone washed up before heading to the dining room for lunch. As promised, Andarien got the apple he had been 'talking' about, and he was quite surprised to find that it was a very different texture than the ball. Of course, he still wanted a piece of bread afterward.

When lunch was over, Amalirahc went to spend time with his family, and River went to spend the afternoon with her grandparents.

"You still up for a visit to the city?" Wren asked Earendil and Lin when they had finished eating. "Or will Andarien need a nap first?"

Andarien was in Earendil's arms at the moment, and he had his head on Earendil's shoulder, his eyes half-closed. He was just sitting there, not doing anything else, and suddenly he let out a yawn.

"He looks sleepy," Earendil murmured, slightly disappointed that they would have to put off their trip to the city. He had been looking forward to seeing it, after all.

Shiro however was passing by on his way out of the dining hall when Earendil made his comment, and he paused for a moment. "Need someone to watch him so you can go?" he offered. "I was just going to do some typing, I wouldn't mind."

"No problem," Shiro grinned. "I know how you like to check the shops and everything, and it's not like I'll get any less work done. I do have a condition though."

"Condition?" Earendil repeated warily.

Shiro laughed. "Nothing bad. Just bring me back something to eat, if you find anything good. I should check out the shops myself but it's too interesting to stay here and talk to people."

"Blackberries, if you can find them," Shiro replied, "though I'm not sure if they'll be ready at this time of year. Probably not for a few weeks or so, if it's the same as Gaia. Otherwise, strawberries?"

He had a sweet tooth, but not for sugar from the cane - for sugar from fruit (berries especially).

"Come on up with us to our rooms," Earendil told him. "We'll get Andarien settled into bed and get our bags."

"After you," Shiro said, bowing slightly out of habit.

Wren headed to her own room to get her money pouch with the promise that she would meet up with the others at the door of the castle in just a few short minutes.

Sure enough, by the time Earendil, Lin and Miyuki arrived at the entrance of the palace, Wren was there, waiting for them. She had changed her clothes to something fresh (though still tomboyish), and her pouch of gold was tied at her waist.

"Ready?" she smiled at the three.

Wren grinned at Miyuki. "You're always so energetic," she laughed. "Come on. We'll ride to town. Horses should already be ready for us. It's not as far as the glade, but it's still too far to walk if you want to see more than just a few shops before dinner."

She led them outside, and sure enough, four horses were saddled and waiting for them, held by two grooms. Wren took the biggest of the horses - an enormous black - and recommended the second biggest one for Miyuki.

"He's big," she admitted, "but he's also the best for children. He's gentle and he knows to follow me."

Earendil smiled at Miyuki. "Of course."

He picked her up and set her on the horse's back, and it was a bit of a reach, even for him. He made sure that Miyuki was safely settled in the saddle before he let go of her, and then he mounted his own horse.

When he was ready, he nodded at Wren, and she started leading them towards the city.

It was only about a ten minute ride, much shorter than their trip to the glade in the morning, and they tethered their horses at a hitching post at the end of one of the streets after dismounting.

"So what would you like to see first?" Wren asked them all with a smile. "Do you have anything in particular in mind? I know Shiro asked for some berries but I think it might be best to get those last so that they don't get squished or warm."