<span style="color: #00FF00">After eating many berries and various other wild-growing plants, Lysonna looked at Nymeri, and stood from where she was kneeling at a berry bush. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be," she said, of course meaning about going to the big city. "But first, we need to gather up the rest of our oddly assembled group."</span><br/><br/>Nymeri popped the last wild-berry in his mouth, and looked up where she was standing. "I agree. The sooner we can leave, the better. I don't want to delay my master any longer than we have to. Besides, it is necessary that we get you in and talk to the messenger they have with so you can let your parents know you are gonna stay, and that I will protect you with my life," he replied.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">"There isn't any such need for you to risk your life for mine," Lysonna sighed, knowing even as she said it, Nymeri would argue. "Well, at least it should appease my parents for the time being so they don't worry."</span><br/><br/>"Again, I agree. Let's get going, Lysonna," Nymeri said, gathering more berries in his pouch to eat later.<br/><br/>~~~~~<br/><br/>After finishing his breakfast, Skippy began unloading the contents of his pockets out onto the kitchen table. The orb was the only thing left hidden. Skippy noticed that there were three coin purses, a golden chain for jewelry, a silver ring with a large sapphire, a golden ring with many small diamonds, some kind of amulet, and various other things with perhaps less value. He looked over each item, before returning them to his pocket one-by-one.<br/><br/>Once that was done, he looked for Ijemaru and asked, "I noticed you and that other guy seem to stay close to each other, did you meet before yesterday at the inn?"<br/><br/>As he waited for an answer, the innkeeper finally began stirring.<br/><br/>"Good morning, old man!" Skippy said, in a very chipper manner.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">The innkeeper snorted in response. He stretched noisily before joining the Anithrope and the human boy. "I don't think there will be a good morning for me for quite some time." The innkeeper glanced from one to the other. "Where's everyone else."</span><br/><br/>Without missing a beat, Skippy excitedly answered. "They're all out getting their breakfast before we start the journey to the capitol! I hope we meet some goblins along the way. I've never met a goblin, so I'm sure it wouldn't be boring!"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">The innkeeper paused for a long moment, obviously deep in thought. "If they're all out gathering food, there's obviously no use for me to go along. I think I'll stay here, or maybe head for a small village to the West of here. My brother lives there, so at least I'd have a place to stay. I'm a little old to be adventuring any way."</span><br/><br/>Just as he finished speaking, the two Elves entered.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">"That's understandable. I wish you luck on getting through this forest on your own," Lysonna said, undoubtedly having heard even outside with her Elven ears. "Well, is everyone else ready to get moving? Where's the dragon and the black-blo... I mean, black-haired man?"</span>