Ray found many a familiar face in the crowds, and quite a number of them seemed interested in her promised performance.  Interest was most keen among the males, it seemed, and the tempting flashes of pale skin through her exotic attire surely added to their interest.  Sadly, the early morning feasts were over, and vendor after vendor began to refuse service as the sun rose.  There was to be no eating or drinking during the speeches, and the rising sun was pushing ever closer to the noontime hour and the start of the ceremonies.<br/><br/>After the matron at the third table she approached draped their wares under fly-proof clothe, the elven bard thought she might have to try the White Deer Inn if she wanted herself a drink.<br/><br/>Jaillen found herself in much the same straights.  While she'd arrived early enough to get a morning sip and a toasted snack, shops were closing all long the temporary avenues formed between tents and wagons.  The order to close seemed to travel by sight - one merchant would close up, and then those nearby would follow suit. Soon, the bustling isles west of the cathedral square began to empty as people wandered toward the main event.<br/>--------------------------------------<br/>The girl snickered at Blackwell's double entendre, flashing the boy an appraising glance to see how he'd react.  Sora really did want to leave Sandpoint and see the city, and she was practically bursting with curiosity about what he could tell her of strange lands and foreign places.<br/><br/>She giggled again, shyly looking almost but not quite directly at the warrior as she answered.<strong>"It's Sora, silly."</strong>Of course, they'd never really spoken.  She'd only seen the tough warrior scare the boys away from her father's produce stand, and then take an apple for herself while boldly staring down Sora with a look that haunted her dreams for weeks.  Her hair had been pinned up under the horrid cap her father made her wear around customers, and she'd been wearing his apron with the huge pockets that covered her like a tent, but still, it would have been nice to think that she'd made an impression.  Blackwell had certainly made one on her.<br/><br/>She blushed slightly at the once-over the street-tough gave her, but lifted her chin and finally returned direct eye contact.  The press of people moving toward the square jostled the trio, and the young man took the opportunity to slip free of Blackwell's grip and escape, muttering a hurried<strong>"Excuse me."</strong><br/><br/>Alone, and with the crowd forcing them more closely together, she tried to break the stare, failed, and finally spoke.<strong>"So..."</strong><br/>--------------------------------------<br/><strong>"He was with us'n afore."</strong>Emil answered the gnome girl unhelpfully.<strong>"Up till we got inta uptown anyway."</strong>That did narrow the search considerably, as only the chapel, the boneyard,  and a few select dwellings and businesses adorned the area atop the cliff face splitting the town.  Of course, at present most of the population of downtown and many a visitor besides was presently crowded into uptown, filling the normally quiet area with temporary structures of canvas and a shifting mass of humanity.<strong>"I think he went toward Northgate."</strong>Emil added, though his manner was much less certain than previously.<br/><br/><strong>"Heya mister."</strong>The lad greeted Ara, obviously grateful for his offer of help.<strong>"Thanks.  for helping. Jaltan's  brown n' white spotted  and about so high."</strong>He put a hand up to indicate a level just higher than his own waistline, making the dog somewhere near a foot and a half tall.<strong>"An' he likes treats n' hates goblins."</strong>Which described just about any dog ever, but the boy seemed to think the traits were important.<br/><br/>The lad's precocious self-assurance evaporated when Ausk arrived.  Huge, chocolate brown eyes stared up along the half-orc's lofty height and the massive bulk sheathed in gleaming armor.  It took him several moments to recover his wits enough to speak, and then he finally said<strong>"Wow Mister.  You're big."</strong>After another moment, he added.<strong>"'Bout the biggest guy I ever did see."</strong>He seemed to have forgotten about his dog, so stunned was he by the appearance of a real shining knight.<strong>"Why you wearin' that mask?"</strong>