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Eon stepped out of the way so that Miyuki could pick up Ai. He didn't let Andarien try to pick him up: he was barely winded, despite the intensity of the battle. He walked next to Andarien as they followed after River and Jess, who, being closest to the door, led the way back into the palace. Ponydash took up the rear, the flames on his body disappearing, except for those that were always present.

Andarien looked down at Eon, who looked back up at him. "What do you think, Eon?" he asked.

Eon nodded his head once. He wanted to know what he'd done, too.

Andarien turned back to Miyuki. "Yes, please. Better to know what happened, so that it doesn't happen again. Are you going to take Ai, too? Because we don't know if it was Ai that did it either, 'cos it was the first time she's battled since she evolved too."

"And maybe Shiro will have the rune book for you, too," Andarien added eagerly as the group started up the stairs.

"Indeed he does," came Lancaeriel's voice from just above the group. Andarien looked up for just a half a second and then looked away, half blinded. He pulled his goggles down over his eyes again and blinked to get rid of the spots he was seeing.

"Were you looking for us?" Aranxia asked, looking up at Lancaeriel, who was about a dozen steps above them.

Lancaeriel smiled softly. "No, no. I was just on my way to speak with Princess Wren. I believe she's outside. I just know that's he has finished with the runeology book, that's all."

"Well, have fun," Lancaeriel laughed softly. "I'll see you all in the morning. Good night."

She passed by the group carefully on the stairs and continued down.

Andarien hurried up the steps. "Come on," he grinned. "At least now we know that Shiro is expecting us!"

Eon bounded after Andarien, yapping at him to slow down and be more careful on the stairs.

By the time Andarien made it up the three flights of stairs, he was rather winded, and he had to pause to catch his breath again.

"Try walking next time," River told Andarien as she passed him.

Eon nuzzled Andarien's side. It hadn't been hard work for him either, but he was built for climbing and running like that.

Ponydash stopped next to Andarien and waited for him, silent but alert.

Andarien nodded, though he was panting hard. "I'll be -- okay," he assured Miyuki. "Just -- give me -- a minute ..."

Eon chattered away at Andarien, and Andarien winced. "Yeah, yeah, you told me, you told me," he muttered.

Andarien was slowly getting his wind back.

"He told me - not to run," he said flatly. "But I wanted to - get up here fast."

He put one hand to his chest. "Okay, I'm good. Let's go."

"I hope you don't mind, but I'm actually going to go back to my room," Aranxia spoke up softly. "I'd like to see if I can get a bit of work done tonight before I sleep."

Aranxia smiled. "All right. Good night, then. See you in the morning." And with a wave, she headed off to her own bedroom.

"Speaking of which," River murmured, "Jess and I had better find Mama and Papa and let them know what we've been up to."

"Uh ... yeah," Jess agreed, suddenly seeming a bit nervous. "Your father ..."

River giggled softly. "We were with Miyuki and Andarien and Aranxia. It'll be fine. Come on, let's go before they come looking for us." She waved at Miyuki and Andarien. "See you guys in the morning!" she said cheerfully, tugging Jess along after her.

"Night," Jess said as he and River disappeared from sight.