After Aloysius spent about an hour tending to his studies, the group departed for Kuiper's farm. Nothing had been established as to whether they would accept Daelen offered help, but since he would return to Milborne if they declined, he traveled with them for the time being.
They approached the farm shortly after high sun. Kuiper stopped off by his family graveyard, as he had done every time they had traveled somewhere with them, then returned home. "Go on up to the house. Tell Gala I'll be there in a few minutes," he told them.
Aloysius had remained silent and subdued as the group had walked along towards Kuiper's. As they approached the graveyard, Aloysius addressed Kuiper.
"Kuiper, may I attend to the cemetary with thee? It has been quite a while since I have paid my respects to good Pug, and I have yet to visit Strongbow's burial plot." A look of sad reminescence washed over his face. "If you would prefer that I not, then gladly will I respect thy wishes."
"You are welcome to pay your respects to your dead," Kuiper told the mage.
Etienne watched as the mage and Kuiper walked on toward the cemetery. He looked to Jana, "Pug and Strongbow? Companions?"
Jana nodded at Etienne silently, not even trying to speak.
Aloysius and Kuiper returned from the small family plot after a few minutes. The ranger led the way to his house. A young red-head hurried out on to the porch to greet him, pausing when she saw he had brought others. "Oh," Gala said with a smile that was only slightly strained, "hello, Aloysius, Jana, Jyothki."
"This is Gala," Kuiper offered by way of introduction, "Gala, this is Etienne and this is Daelen. I have offered to show them a place up in the Hardlow Woods, and we wanted to stop here first."
The woman gave them another smile and a nod before asking, "What happened to the others? Arachne, Blacky, Kaileer and Lasiar?"
Upon seeing the Morninglord, Aloysius smiled broadly (although not quite
the PSF). "Galaret," he said
softly. "Kaileer left with his mentor, Fein, just a short time
ago. I doubt he shall return. The others
are supposed to meet us here later this evening."
He poked at the ground with his foot. "How have you been?" he
finally asked.
