The distance from the docks to the lighthouse was the equivalent of a football field and the tide was starting to come back in as Seri and Neven raced across the sandy path that temporarily bridged the gap. The two made it as the tide hit the shore line that bordered the lighthouse itself. They were greeted by one of the two knights patrolling the island, "Hail and well met. Have you come as guests of the Bronze Man?"

Neven looked at Seri to provide an answer since he hoped that they indeed had been invited as opposed to crashing the party.

"Neven, here is one of Alyson's friends and I am his escort. May we pass?" Seri said calmly to the knight.

"You may. Go with the blessing of Bahamut," The knight stepped back and allowed Seri and Neven to head down the trail to the lighthouse. Which took a few more minutes and they were at the door. "Time for breakfast and I am really hungry racing you through the city. Follow me."

"Yeah, I'm hungry too!" Neven rubbed his aching stomach, "Lead on!"

She lead him through the door of the lighthouse, and Neven saw exactly what Irzen, Willow, and Serna saw as they entered. The lobby with plants and books on shelves. Couches on either side for guests and the large desk at the far end. They could hear the sounds of laughter coming from the dining area.

"Sounds like all of them," Neven laughed before his nose caught a wift of what was cooking, "FOOOD!"

*********

As they walked westward, Madeous told both of them that Chef Hallas was originally a traveling minstrel who in his travels like to taste different cuisines in the various cities he visited on his tours. "I'd say he retired about fifty years back. He was here long before I met the Bronze Man, and he would beat any chef back on Earth easily with his talents."

"Oh, I don't know about that," Irzen grinned, "Have you ever been to a little town called New Orleans when you've been back on Earth, Madeous. I know more than a few cooks there that could give Chef Hallas a run for his money."

"The Big Easy, they call it, correct?" Madeous replied to the swordsman, "I myself have not had the luxury of visiting New Orleans. Wanted to many times. Perhaps I will put it on my 'Bucket List.'"

"You should, it's a hell of a town," The Drow declared proudly, "So have you given any thought to my suggestion last night on finding Celestra?"

Madeous went quiet again and looked at the swordsman. "I did. For the moment though, I want to spend my time with my niece before I leave Asylum at high noon. Honestly, I am not keen on the idea of digging up the past. Leave it at that, Irzen."

"As you wish," The Swordsman agreed as they marched onward towards their destination.

The three men made their way through the streets towards the merchant district and finally the docks. The tide had came back in and their only way across was the boat. A militia guard on duty turned to greet them, "Sire, returning to the lighthouse?"

"We are. Was there anyone else you might have seen this morning coming this way?" The platinum knight asked the guard.

"Aye, my lord. Two just ran through not more than a few minutes ago. They just made it to the island before the tide came in. The water is calm this morning after the storm from last night. It should be a fast ride to the lighthouse." The guard steadied the boat for the three to board.

"That must be Neven and Seri," Willow mentioned to no one in particular, "They must have run like the wind to beat the tide."

"A feat worthy of an elf," Irzen quipped.

"Indeed," Willow agreed.

Irzen and Willow climbed on board the boat after Madeous and seated themselves before they began their short voyage.

************

She tilted her head to one side, "And so ends the tale of this robe and how I have fun making you work for it, Lazheros."

Serna clapped her hands in glee and laughed, "Now THAT is a funny story! I didn't know you used to raise that much heck when you were my age, Lady Alyson, you really had a fire of mischief burning inside of you didn't you?"

"Thanks, Serna." Alyson smiled. ~ An inferno.~

Caliaphy got up out of her chair and asked the elementalist an odd question, "Can I sit on your lap, Alyson?"

The elementalist pushed her chair back and let the kurori on her lap. After all, Caliaphy was short for her kind and kurori in general weighed half of what human children were. "Okay but just for a few minutes, Caliaphy after all, you and Serna are friends. I don't want to make her feel uncomfortable."

"Thank you," the kurori smiled.

"That's not going to make me feel uncomfortable, Lady Alyson," Serna chirped, "Caliaphy is my friend but I see no reason why she can't be your friend as well."

The Bronze Man observed the elementalist with the kurori on her lap and remembered how Alyson liked sitting on his lap when she was little. A precious moment and to him he cherished them all. ~ Feisty is the better word for you, Alysiane.~

Quake finally stopped laughing and climbed back up into her chair wiping away the last of the tears. Grabbing the pitcher of Fire water, she drank about half of it. "Wow, Lady. That story was great."

Alyson nodded to the elemental, "Will you be okay, Quake? You look like you could pass out if you get laughing again?"

"I should be fine," Quake grinned to her and then asked the bronze man, "Sir, could you help me how to polymorph properly?"

The Bronze Man looked over at the elemental, "Of course, Quake. I'd be happy to show you how to change oneself into another form later on, if you like."

"Yes, thank you very much," Quake smiled and went back to eating her food.

Caliaphy decided she wanted to sit in her own chair again and jumped off the elemetalist's lap. "Teeheehee."

"Serna, do you like to swim? There's a really cool place to swim close by and its safe too." The fairy Kurori asked the shield maiden.

"Sure, I love to swim," Serna smiled, "I used to do it all the time early in the morning in Baroness Melaranti's wading pool--before she got up in the morning, of course. I would love to go for a swim with you, Caliaphy."

Caliaphy cocked her head to one side, "Wading pool? The place I'm talking about is the Lagoon. The water is crystal clear, warm year round, and you can see all the sea creatures swimming below you. Don't worry, no monsters there just lots of colorful fish. And maybe the Bronze Man can turn into a dragon so we can have a big water slide to play on."

"That would be NEAT!" Serna's eyes went wide as silver dollars, "Would you really do that? Would you change into a dragon and become a water slide for us?"

Alyson's eyes widen in shock at the kurori's bold statement and tried so hard not break out laughing as she turned to look at Lazheros.

The Bronze Man raised an eye brow at the kurori's brazeness, "Ah, I see just because I am dragon that makes it okay for children regardless of what they are, to use me as a playground?"

Caliaphy grinned, "Uh-huh. I remember when you brought Alyson to the Ancient Oak and we swarmed you. Good times!"

His attention briefly shifted to the elementalist ~ I wonder where she got that idea from, hmm? ~ "I make no promises, Caliaphy."

"Aww! Pretty please?!" The kurori pleaded with the bronze man.

Finally the elementalist spoke up, "That's a tall order, Caliaphy, asking him that. The day is still young and I want to see my uncle off when he leaves Asylum at high noon. But first, lets just enjoy each others company for now, okay?"

Lazheros just sighed at Alyson's pun. While Quake and Madame Mabel snickered on their side of the table.

"Okay," the kurori pouted.

Alyson reached down and started tickling her to make her laugh. "Hey no pouting allowed. Only smiles and laughter are acceptable at this table."

"Ha hahaha! Ahahaha!" Caliaphy squeeled and squirmed from the elementalist tickling her. "Ha! Hahahaha! Okay! Okay! I give! I give!"

The Bronze Man chuckled, "Ah, the sounds of laughter have once again filled the lighthouse once more. Just as it should be, for children are the bringers of happiness and the little joys of life."

The elementalist smiled and helped Caliaphy into her chair. The poor creature was still giddy after being tickled. She turned back to the bronze man, "And to memories old and new." She got up from her chair for seconds. "Finished with your plate, Lazheros, or would you like a refill?"

He met her gaze, "I will refill my own plate, Alyson. Thank you for the offer, though."

She shrugged at him and went to refill her plate with more fruit, bread, and made herself a cup of coffee before returning to her seat at the table. Alyson savored the coffee. It had been awhile since she had it back on Earth. "I wonder where Neven and the others are? Has anyone seen or heard from them?"

"Nope!" Serna declared shaking her head, "I haven't seen or head from Neven since we departed the temple yesterday. I hope he is alright."

"Good morning, everyone." Seri walked through the doorway and saw her mother sitting across from Alyson, "Hello mum."

"Mom?" Alyson and Quake looked at each other then at Madame Mabel.

Madame Mabel smiled, "Aye, Seri is my wee little girl. The youngest and the only one of my brood to stay in Asylum. My sons had too much of their fathers in them and the sea called out to them, and so they went."

The elementalist looked behind Seri and saw the thief. "Come in, Neven. There's plenty of food to pick from. Sit, eat, share stories with us if you like."

"Thanks!" Neven walked in and nodded in acknowledgement to all present before he sat down and began to stuff his face with food.

"Neven!" Serna asked, "Where were you? What happened to you last night? Some of us were worried about you."

"MMMMmmmmMMMMmmmm!!!" Neven replied with a mouthful of food as he ate like a starving man, "MMMMMmmmmmMMMMMMMmmmm!! MMMMummmmmuumMMMMMuummm!!"

"Can someone please translate that into Common?" Serna asked everyone present.