Emi and I went up to my rooms to change for our run then met Kalvin at the garden gate. After stretching the three of us slowly jogged out the main gate and down the hill, we will be running towards the twin again today. Being the son of a farmer Kalvin asks me more about what I spoke of yesterday. He wants to know more about the wee beasties in the soil. I tell them about the insects, worms, bacteria and fungus that live in the soil and how they interact with each other.

"What are fungus, Rufina?" asks Emi.

"Mushrooms. Actually the organisms that grows mushrooms. Mushrooms are the fruits of fungus. Fungus are tiny threads that break down plant matter. They also live in plants, trading food with them. Fungus grows in a web/network that covers a large area. If a plant needs a certain element, the fungus can move it from where that element is to the plant in exchange for a drop of sugar water. That is another reason not to plow the fields, plowing destroys the network of fungus in the soil.

Instead of turning around today, we turn toward the treeline to run the trail on the edge of the forest. I spy a mushroom amongst the leaf litter and stop to show them the growth beneath the stem. We a kneeling, noses close to the ground looking at the fine white fibers running through the litter. I borrow Kalvin's knife and gently exposes the fungus fibers. I expose a large area of fibers.

"So, is this one organism or many?" Kalvin asks.

"It could be either. It could be part of a single fungus or it could be a colony of them. On Earth they did experiments where they would put a drop of chemical on the ground and within minutes they could detect that chemical hundreds of yards away. The chemical was picked up by the fungus and moved that far. I wouldn't be surprised that there is a single fungus that covers the land between the Haven and the Twin and the cliffs and the sea."

Returning Kalvin's knife, we continue our run, climbing the back of the palace hill, passing behind the palace then descending the hill to meet the road that parallels the river. We finish the loop by running back to the main gate, saluting the guards as we run through. To cool down we slow to a walk on the way to the garden gate.

Emi and I leave Kalvin on the upper floor as he continues on up to his room in the barracks. Emi takes a lit candle before we head to my rooms. Once there we start our routine, she lights several candles as I start undressing. I do my toilet as she goes to fetch some hot water. We quickly bathe when she returns as we are running late. We dress in near matching tunic then head down stairs.

We are one of the first to arrive at the table so we set the table after fetching the plates and cutlery from the kitchen. Abbey appears with a pair of tea pots as we are finishing. Emi pours tea for those that want it then sit beside me. Aden, Kalvin and Tobias arrive and seat themselves. Tilly and Abbey arrive with the meal, a large pot of egg noodles and slices of meat all covered in gravy. There is a large bowl of greens as a side dish. Plates are pass, a portion of noodles are served and the plates passed back. Sounds of appreciation are heard from around the table.

After taking a few bites, I tell Tilly and Abbey, "This is very good, ladies, thank you."

As we are finishing supper the guard captain exits the stairs, walks to the table then salutes. "Your majesty, minster Aden, a ship has entered the harbor and has dropped anchor."

"What colors are they flying?" I ask.

"The Harding Company flag, your majesty."

"You know the routine, Captain Robert." Aden replies.

"Yes, sir." He salutes, turns and departs, going out the front door.

"This ship should have some goods for us," I tell Aden, "And there should be a craftsman on broad."

Aden finishes his supper, then excuses himself, saying he will be on the dock if he is needed. He goes to his office before leaving with a folio.

The table gets cleaned up, the dishes washed and put away, then the cards and Go boards come out. Sophia and Kalvin are facing off over the Go board, while the rest of watch or play rummy. Tilly and Abbey play one game of rummy then go off to bed. Christina and Molly decide to go home for the evening also. Kalvin loses by three stones then bids us goodnight before taking Eliza by the hand and leading her to the garden. Helen and Sophia join Emi and I for another game of rummy. After Helen solidly tromps us we all retire to our rooms.

Emi and I help each other strip with much caressing and giggling. Lying on the bed afterwards, we cuddle, talking quietly. Emi is soon lightly snoring, with me draped over her. I soon follow her in slumber.

* * *

It is well after sunset, the western horizon barely glowing with a small sliver of the smaller moon alone in the sky. Two small figures approach the town from the east, the larger guiding the smaller over the bridge into town. Her head turns left and right as she seems to be searching for something or someone. The streets are dark with no one about. A hound barks in the distance. Her slight shoulders slump. She continues searching, this time seeking some where to spend the night. She would cry but can not as she has run out of tears. Leading the other to a narrow alley way she finds an empty crate to crawl into. Lay down she pulls her little brother tight against her. In his exhaustion he soon falls asleep while she remains awake, staring into the dark night.