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Claress took extensive notes, taking a few extra measurements for arches and such to make sure that the footwear would fit perfectly. Eventually, she had only one question left.

"When would you like these to be finished?" she asked, looking up from her paper at last.

Earendil glanced at Lin, then back at the woman. "Four weeks, perhaps five. I know it's a large order, so if that's really not possible, then just as soon as you can get it."

He knew it could be a while before the rest of their traveling party arrived, but he didn't want to make them wait longer than necessary. On the other hand, he didn't want to rush Claress and her husband and end up with work of a lesser quality.

Claress smiled and bowed deeply. "I will bring this to my husband, and we will begin work right away," she promised them.

"And how much do we owe you?" Earendil asked her, reaching for his money pouch.

The woman pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Well ... I can't say for certain yet ... but if you would like to leave a deposit, it will help us to get the necessary materials more quickly."

Earendil opened his bag and peered inside, counting silently. After a moment, he passed her the entire pouch. "Seventy five. I'm sure that doesn't cover the half, but when they are finished, send word to the castle, along with the total, and I'll bring the rest."

The woman accepted the pouch with another bow, smiling widely. "Thank you, your Highness. I wish you and your family a wonderful day."

"And yourself," Earendil replied graciously. He turned to the others. "Andarien, Miyuki, come."

Andarien hopped off the stool he was sitting on. "Come on, Eon," he urged the Pokemon to follow after him.

Since they had no more money with them (at least, Earendil didn't, and he wasn't sure how much money of their currency Lin had), they visited a few places but made no more purchases before they returned to the palace.

Shiro and Kaito greeted the family when they returned.

"How was your trip to the city?" Shiro asked them with a smile.

"They're going to be really nice," Andarien said proudly.

Earendil chuckled and put one hand on Andarien's head to calm him. "And how was your afternoon?" he asked the nekos as they headed to their rooms to put their things away.

"Kaito was busy," Shiro chuckled. "As impatient as ever."

"What?" Kaito flicked one ear at his brother. "Messages can take forever. So I just started the ball rolling on my own, that was all."

Earendil's forehead creased. "I'm sorry ... what?"

Kaito was grinning rather cattily, clearly quite pleased with himself.

"I nipped back through the portal to the Borderlands, let them know we were here, and had Ulrich pass on all the messages," he grinned, almost purring. "He said he'd ask Nako to bring Wren from the Westland, and from there everyone coming from the ranch would come with her here."

"It will still be weeks before their arrival," Shiro added, "but we've no way to catch up to Ninako's messenger to let him know he doesn't need to go all the way there anymore."

"Well, I didn't think of that beforehand," Kaito shrugged.

Shiro didn't answer, but the sigh that escaped his lips spoke volumes.

"We'll have time," Earendil assured Miyuki quickly. "Don't worry about that."

He turned back to the nekos. "But did you find out the final tally of who all is coming?"

Kaito emitted a low whistle. "That's a long list. Wren, of course, you knew that. Luk, since of course he's got to go home. Halmir and Arthael, Timaeus and Alyse, Jasmine, River, Brooke ... River's taking Jess along, too. Celeb and Haldia don't want to travel yet with Alyarra, so they won't be coming, but Kelirahc and Leyenda will be coming with Amalirahc and Aravah."

He paused to count on his fingers and see who he had missed.

"I'm missing someone," Kaito frowned. "Ahren had expressed some desire to come, but they just recently found out that Shiara is expecting, so that's out."

Earendil smiled broadly. "Ahren and Shiara, expecting a child? That's wonderful!"

They had been married a number of years by this time, and this was going to be their first child. Though to be honest, Earendil was a bit surprised that they were expecting at all - he had been told of Shiara's story, and he hadn't been certain she would be able to overcome her fears.

"Yes, yes," Kaito frowned, waving Earendil away. "I'm trying to think. There's someone I'm missing!"

"Emile?" Shiro suggested, reminding his brother of the travel-hungry human they'd picked up on their trip around the Four Lands.

Kaito snapped his fingers. "Emile!" he grinned triumphantly.