<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#80ff80">Melon spent the majority of the next day traveling. He finished the blade quickly, then packed all his earnings into a small box and held it tightly under his arm as he walked through town. The money inside was like his life; without it, he and his family would surely die. He nearly ran out of the town past the guards, though they were used to that--they had seen him go to meet his family a dozen times. By the time he'd run across the field, it was nearing afternoon, and he had to make his visit short.<br/>
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As always, his sister ran to greet him, and his mother welcomed him home with freshly baked sweet-breads. Melon explained to her that he would be going on a journey and he would be back in several days, with more money too. She seemed distraught over his latest role but he assured her all would be well, then spent his last few hours at home playing with his sister.<br/>
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The boy barely made it back to town before the gate was closed, arriving at his apartment just after dusk. He crashed into his bed and fell asleep after eating a hearty meal of bread and cheese from the basket his neighbors had given him. The next day would be eventful, he thought, as his mind drifted off into dreams.</span>