"Well I for one are in agreement with you, Serna since that was my original intention back in Asylum before everything went awry." Madeous glanced back to the shield maiden and then back to the swordsman, "Stay together or split up, Irzen?"

"It's nice to know someone agrees with me." The Shield Maiden beamed from ear to ear.

"I say let's stick together," The Swordsman replied, "It will be easier for us to reach the palace if we are all together as opposed to splitting up. Plus, it would be a good way for us to keep out of trouble. After all, you know how we are in a city environment, we can paint the town red if we're given half a chance."

Madeous walked towards the market area surveyed it for a moment, "Looks like weapons, armor and gear are towards the docks to the east. I would guess that food, drink, supplies, and the tavern or inn is to the west. I am in need of supplies myself. Perhaps they have an herbal shoppe here since our healer requires some for the tea he likes to drink and some for medicinal remedies."

Lazheros replied sarcastically, "How thoughtful of you, Madeous."

Irzen suddenly snapped his fingers, "Now I know why you lost our drinking contest last night. You're a teetotaller aren't you, Lazheros?"

The bronze man grumbled aloud, "You jest, swordsman. I only drink hearty in the company of friends far from Asylum. My duty to protecting the region doesn't allow me to indulge in such mundane pleasantries."

"While your answer was nice and long-winded," The Swordsman smirked, "A simple yes would have sufficed."

"Actually, Irzen, it was pay back for dropping me in the pool at the bath house," Alyson chimed in with a grin, "We are currently even pranking each other at the moment."

"Not even close," Lazheros leaned forward, "I haven't forgotten all the pranks you got me with when you were young, Alyson."

"Ah, revenge for a prank," Irzen nodded his head in agreement, "Now, that, I can understand."

Quake finally answered the bronze man, "Yes, I do prefer the company of dwarves over elves, as do my twin brothers since it was the Lady that sculpted us out of the earth to begin with."

"I prefer the company of the lesser races myself. They strive to be better in their short and long lives taking on any adversary when set with a challenge. Then there's you, an elemental given life, purpose, and free will to evolve on your own with a touch of Alyson's child like personality in the mix."

"Aww, gee thanks mister!" Quake blushed.

Serna was ooohing and aaahing practically everything she saw. East Port had many wonders and the Shield Maiden was enjoying exploring all of them.

Caliaphy wrinkled her nose when the scent of something sweet hit her, "Ooooo! I smell pastries! Let's go Serna!"

"Right behind you, Caliahphy!" The Shield Maiden began to run off in the direction of the smell from the tasty treats.

"So much for sticking together," Irzen muttered under his breath before he said aloud to both the Fairy and the Shield Maiden, "Be careful, you two, and watch each other's backs. And remember, our rendezvous point is the castle. Okay?"

"Looks like they're going west, Irzen." Alyson pointed down the street, "So really we're staying together just out of reach of a certain kurori with a wicked sweet tooth."

Lazheros nodded, "One way of putting it, and it will allow one of us at any given time to watch the two of them from getting into too much trouble."

Quake followed after Serna and Caliaphy without uttering a word to the elementalist and found the 'kids' taking in the smells of freshly baked fruit pies sitting on a shelf.

Madeous gestured to the swordsman before heading down the street himself taking in the various wares people were selling.

Irzen joined Madeous as he sampled the wares that were being sold, "Try as I might, I can't really collar those two any tighter than I already do. Serna and Caliaphy are two peas in a pod and getting into mischief is pretty much their stock and trade."