"I guess it's better than nothing." Aron thought for a moment. It was entirely possible that even they didn't know where it would go.

"Do you have any better ideas?" Liadan asked.

"Not a one. At least on land there are clues to be followed. On the water..." Aron sighed.

"It was bad enough when we only had the mermen to worry about." Liadan said. "If we can't make Mazi talk there are probably other mermomzers hanging around outside hte keep we could find and make talk... But we know nothing about these sailors and ship."

Aron couldn't remember ever having dealt with sailors, but he had heard stories, both good and bad. "I guess we need to figure out to get some information."

"What are we waiting for then?" Liadan asked. "Let's go."

Aron got to his feet, wobbled for a moment with dizziness. "Lead on," he finally said.

Liadan stomped for the gates.

Aron followed, praying he wouldn't fall over.

Difyr wouldn't have dismissed the knight so quickly if she had realized that Aalyssa was so tired. Difyr took Aalyssa's pulse, then shook the elf's shoulder.

A weak moan passed Aalyssa's lips but that was it. Her skin was so pale it could nearly be considered transparent.

Difyr sighed and went to heat water for tea.

Lek found Millie in the healing room. He was still terribly upset. "Oh Millie, how I've messed up!"

"What happened? Did you find anything out? You didn't anger someone with information did you?"

"I let Sileas, Yehudit and Questa go without me." Lek's shoulders slumped. "I didn't even get the name of the ship."

"Oh, Lek. There's not some small detail that is lingering in your mind, but you're not thinking on it?"

Lek shook his head. "All I know is it was smaller than the other ships, and had red sails. I'm going back there with Wulfsen." Lek didn't want to leave.

"Be careful and mind what he tells you," Millie said before wrapping her arms around him.

Lek hugged her. "I wish you could come too..."

Millie gave him a soft smile. "I would just be in the way and a distraction. Pinja and Mama need me here."

Lek sighed unhappily. "I guess I better get going..."

In reply to Lek Gerthrim (msg # 172):


Millie blinked back her tears and hugged him again. "Stay safe and come home to us with Papa."

Lek was too choked up to speak. He nodded and walked away.

Difyr brought Brighid a cup of tea. "This won't taste good but you should drink it. I put in some honey to make it tolerable..."

Brie had been quietly crying, worried about her daughter, worried about her husband. She nearly didn't hear Difyr, her voice reaching her after a few second delay. She nodded and reached for the cup. Brie took a sip and grimaced. "Is this what Sileas drinks?"