Nodding, Tedric silently answered Alaria's questions; though they appeared to be rhetorical in nature. Regardless, Tedric was content to listen without question and allow her to expound upon the genesis of her talents while he sipped at his ale. Stirring around his still steaming bowl of stew, Tedric chuckled, "I can only imagine. I shudder to think what might happen if you'd had a nightmare." For him, those twisted dreams had been bad enough but, at least, when he awake such things were over. Banished to the recesses of his mind. For her, though? "I suppose better Earth than Fire to manifest so early. At least, in my experiences, fire is far more destructive when unchecked. Not to say a collapsing building is much less dangerous." He commented lightly with a slight shaking of his head.<br/><br/>Tedric took the offered slices of bread and tore them into smaller chunks before dipping them into the stew's hearty broth. He'd not had the opportunity to eat a breakfast this morning and the priests had discouraged any form of consumption before the ceremony anyway; something about the interactions of the elemental energies and whatever food he might have in his stomach. None of it made any sense to Tedric but he'd trusted the old men regardless. As such, however, Tedric was all but wolfing down the meal placed before him. Thankfully, he had not forgotten his manners like so many others in his position might. He wiped his lips with the provided napkin after each bite and made sure to only take the most modest of bites. Still, his seasoning as a soldier showed all the same in the tenacity to which he devoured the stew and bread. Sara had to saunter over on more than one occasion to refill his ale or place down another plate of bread; all smiles and winks, of course.<br/><br/>"You're right. I can already hear the performers now." Tedric indicated with a tilting of his head towards the single bay window and the street beyond where, as he'd mentioned, a half dozen or so men and women were dancing in their array of colorful clothes. The clamor of the interior's ruckus group made hearing the far more practiced songs and rhymes of the seasoned performers little more than added background noise. But, audible all the same. How many more would come for the festival was anyone's guess but each troop came with horses, carriages, and fans. So, Tedric finished his meal and fished out a handful of golden coins to leave as payment; more than enough to cover the food and drink, of course. Sara had made her mark well and Tedric wasn't about to let the woman's efforts go to waste.<br/><br/>Standing, Tedric followed after Alarira through the thick tangle of bodies between himself and the exit. Thankfully, almost everyone yielded to his armored mass without provocation and he was out in the warm sunlight within moments of his more elegantly dressed partner. True to her word the streets were already packed with travelers and locals alike as preparations ramped up for the festival's start come dusk. The roads still allowed the pair to exit the city, however, and they were soon on their way across the well-worn stone pathway towards Madrigal. Tedric had only been once or twice when he was a youth and each time for only a short visit while his parents attended to some business or other of their own. The academic city was situated further down the valley than the capital, which had been almost carved into the rock of the mountain range, and obscured by whispy blankets of mist or earthen hills. It was between this expanse of the two great cities that many of the noble's estates, his own included, had been erected. Each covering a swath of land grand enough for vinyards, farms, or the rearing of horses.<br/><br/>Thanks to his years of service to the Royal Army the several hours long journey didn't wear on Tedric too much. Though, when they arrived at Alaria's home he was more than a little sweaty within the shiny confines of his battle-plate. "I think next time we should take the carriage. Or, leave the armor behind." Reaching down, Tedric lifted up the case Jack had so loyally left behind before stepping into the modest interior of Alarai's home. His eyes playing across the walls and surfgaces to try and get an overall feel for how she kept her space in order. "A tour would be much appreciated. Though, I think a bath would be most welcomed at the moment."