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"She's right," Amalirahc admitted begrudgingly. He brushed past Miyuki and headed for the curtain that cut off the back from the front. "Master Jeremiah!" he called out.

Jeremiah was working at a large vat in the back, and he looked over his shoulder when he heard Amalirahc's voice. "Come on into the back," he called back to him.

Amalirahc grinned at Miyuki. "Come on."

Jeremiah smiled at the children. "You're looking for River, I bet," he winked at them.

Amalirahc nodded. "It's time for us to go," he explained.

Jeremiah nodded back. "So River said." He nodded with his head towards a door in one corner of the room. "They're upstairs. Go on up, they're expecting you."

"Thanks!" Amalirahc beamed. He darted forward and opened the door, holding it for Miyuki.

There was another door at the top of the stairs, and Amalirahc opened it without hesitation and stepped inside, holding it for Miyuki as well. It opened into a comfortable sized living room, with a couch, two chairs, and a long table down the middle. Jacinthe was seated in one of the chairs, a rocking chair, and she had her feet up on the table as she worked on some knitting. Jasta was sitting on the couch next to her, reading aloud to her from a book.

When the children entered the room, Jasta put the book down, and both she and her mother smiled at their guests.

"Welcome," Jacinthe said warmly. "I suppose you're here to collect River?"

"Of course you can't!" Jasta exclaimed. "We would be upset if you didn't!"

Jacinthe smiled warmly. "Yes, we would. We are very glad to have had you here for as long as we did. You are true friends. I wish you the best in all of your travels."

"Thank you," Amalirahc said, smiling back at her.

Instead of answering, Jacinthe looked over at her daughter. "Jasta, darling, would you mind bringing Miyuki and Amalirahc to find Jess and River?"

Jasta smiled softly. "Of course not, Mama," she replied quietly. She set the book aside and got to her feet. "This way," she said, beckoning for the two to follow her.

She made sure Amalirahc and Miyuki were both following, then took them past the living room, through a large kitchen/dining room, around a corner, past a study, up another flight of stairs, down a hall and past two bedrooms, until at last they reached a room in which one entire wall was covered in shelves. The shelves were covered in games of all sorts. A table was against the far wall, with a chair on each side of it. Jess and River were sitting at the table across from each other, a game of Elven Chess in progress.

Jasta looked back at Miyuki, her expression surprised. "I don't know," she replied. "I've been reading to Mama so that they could have some time alone."

She stepped forward, looking at River and her brother. "River ... they've come to get you."

River looked up from the game and saw Jasta with Miyuki and Amalirahc, and then she looked over at Jess, who was looking at her sadly.

"Maybe not," Jess said quietly, "but we don't know how long it's going to be."

River reached across the table and took his hand. "Then we can look back at the fun we've had these few weeks, and forward to the fun we'll have when we meet each other again. Right?"

Jess smiled at her. "Right."

River got to her feet. "You're coming outside with us, right?" she asked both Jess and Jasta.

Jasta laughed. "Are you kidding? Of course! Don't be silly."

Amalirahc led them through the doorway and waited for Jasta to lead them back downstairs again.

"You have your things, River?" Jess asked her, taking her hand as they followed after the others.

River nodded. "In the living room."

"Mama and I tucked your bags behind one of the chairs so that we wouldn't trip on them," Jasta spoke up. "Don't forget them, okay?"

River smiled at Jasta. "I know."

When they reached the living room, Jacinthe rose to her feet to say goodbye to the children. Amalirahc shook her hand, grinning up at her, and then Jacinthe turned to Miyuki.

"It's been wonderful to know you, and to have you in our city," she said warmly, sincerely. "I truly hope that you can return someday."

She held one hand out to Miyuki.