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Wren laughed as she walked with Miyuki. "I know, I know," she grinned. "I just don't gawk as well when I'm walking, or when I'm in conversation with someone. But you're right, going out will make it easier to see everything."

"We may first need to stop at the inn," Iorlas said as Daeron opened the door for all of them. "We forgot to keep the baby sling with us yesterday when we came here, so we need to ask Lin for it back again."

"I could carry him if your arms are tired," Daeron offered eagerly.

Iorlas giggled. "I know. And I have been holding him since sunup." But she waited for Wren and Miyuki to be outside as well so that Daeron could close the door again before she passed the child over to him.

"Yes, please," Iorlas said quickly. "He's small, but he's heavy after a while."

"And you've been holding him all morning," Daeron grinned. "Besides, we can see if anyone else wants to join us."

"But you're going to have to lead the way," Iorlas added. "We haven't been anywhere here aside from the clinic."

Wren stepped forward. "This way," she gestured, starting off.

There were as many people out now as there had been earlier, if not even more. The market was a loud and busy place, and now that Daeron, Iorlas and Amir had joined Wren and Miyuki, they were attracting even more looks as they made their way through the crowds.

"Really makes you wish we had some of the currency here," Wren quipped, looking at the various foods that were for sale.

"If Aranxia were still with us she could do paintings on commission," Iorlas commented with a smile. "But of course, there were never a plan for her to accompany us in the first place."

"I bet Andarien could do well enough with his tinkering," Daeron added, sincerely thinking about it now. "Though I'm not sure what else we could offer, aside from music, if Lancaeriel or Shiro are willing."

Wren was half-distracted, still looking around. "Worse come to worse, I'm sure we could stay in our tents outside the city. Then our only expenses would be food and clothing, unless of course there are incidental expenses."

"We should have asked Kyrie what she does," Wren mused. "I mean, she spends most of her time traveling, and from what I can tell, she doesn't really have money with her, either. I mean, she's out there to help people, not make a profit."

"Maybe that's the key," Daeron realized. "Helping people. There has to be jobs we could do if we need to. It's nearly the new year, that means spring - planting season. Maybe I could offer my services as a labourer."

"What about simply trading things?" Iorlas suggested. "I mean, we've been to many places, we have all kinds of different things, maybe we'll have something of value here."

"Well, here's the inn," Wren pointed out, nodding at the building they were approaching. "If she's up yet, you could always ask her."

They'd been gone a little over an hour by this time, it was quite possible - even probable - that at least some of the others would be up by this time.

Wren stepped forward and held the door open for the others to go in first, and while she waited for them to pass she peered in through the door, trying to see if any more of their group had emerged into the dining room.

The sun was still rising in the sky, and when its rays shone through the window and landed on Earendil's face, he finally began to stir. Considering how quickly he had fallen asleep the day before, he had been asleep for about twenty-four hours.

He blinked a few times, squinting into the bright light, and then, missing Lin's body heat, he rolled over to look for her.

"Lin?" he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

"Well," Earendil grinned back sleepily, reaching up and cupping her cheek in his hand, stroking it lightly with his thumb, "so long as it's you doing the waking, I really don't think I'd have minded."

He pushed himself up with one elbow so that he could kiss her. "And a belated good morning to you, too," he murmured softly.

Earendil sat up slowly to make sure he wouldn't give himself a head rush. "I'm willing to try it anyways," he affirmed. "I can't say that I'm hungry, but I know I need something. It's been a few days."

He ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm going to need a bath at some point today, too," he murmured, "but I'll settle for some clean clothes for now."

Suddenly there was a soft knock at the door, and he looked at the door and blinked, wondering who it might be. Someone from their group, of course, who else would be looking for them?