Will woke up feeling very refreshed, almost as if the day before there had been no 'jump'. He took a long deep breath, drawing in the various energies of Ged. 'It felt so much like mist, Will thought, 'only more wild and untamed.' Turning, he noticed Jack had already left for his morning scouting. Will wished Jack had at least offered to take him along, there was so much to see.

Taking off his covers he noticed a slight chill and quickly changed into his clothes. He'd need a new outfit; the jeans he'd worn from Earth were in need of a good cleaning. It would also be nice to see what other options he'd have for clothes on Ged.

Walking down the stairs into the main eating hall, he saw that Kadde was sitting enjoying a few nuts and a hot drink. Kadde was glad to see Will up so early, there was still so much to discuss.

“Come have a seat Will,” Kadde called to Will as he left the stairs. “Certainly.” Will took a seat across from Kadde and looked around for a bite to eat.

“Hungry Will? I can ask for a menu if you wish.”

Once settled, Will decided he just felt like toast and tea.

“Ah, if only I could enjoy tea like you. However, the beak does prevent sipping, sadly.”

“What are you drinking?” Will thought Kadde was already drinking tea. “Tea. Like I said, I can't quite enjoy it like you.” It made Will wonder what other things he might be taking for granted. “No worry, no worry, Will. Tea is still tea.” Kadde said as he carefully picked up his drink in his clawed hand and carefully poured some into his beaked mouth.

Will had some of his toast. It was very unlike Earth's or Myrah's bread. On Myrah, he remembered it was a bit gritty and sour from the type of yeast they used. Earth's was softer, finer, but very sweet. This bread was kind of chewy and rough, more like a toasted biscuit. A second bite and he noticed that it had small seeds that had a slightly buttery taste. It was kind of a simple earthy tone, very nice.

“I'm sorry if I speak so much. It's just that I've never met anyone from another world, much less two people from two different worlds. It simply rattles my mind.” Kadde said excitedly as he cracked open a nut in his beak with a sharp 'crack'!

“Aren't there other worlds beyond Mist, and Durat that you know of?” Will said as he started on a second slice of toast. “Certainly. Many thousands actually. However, traveling to another world is beyond this world's magic so far. Maybe one day… Anyway, we have plenty to do today; Re-equipping, re-stocking, and probably seeing where we are on the roads.”

Will was glad Kadde wasn't pressing the point of other worlds. He secretly didn't want people to know he had something that assisted his jumps. He worried that if he lost the stone, he'd be stuck forever on a world.

Kadde cracked open another nut and started flipping through the pages of a small leather book. Will glanced at the various notes Kadde had taken. There were several small maps marked with strange red and blue symbols.

“There is always so much to think about on these expeditions. Routes, supplies, cost of assistants, oh… the list goes on.” Kadde lamented.

“So where are you headed? What is your team looking for?” Will asked as he finally had some of the tea. It was a bit hot, but not bad. Will had never had much taste for tea, it all seemed to taste the same to him.

“I found some new information a while back, and it's been a dream of mine to learn more about Ged's 'World Clock'. I mean, I've seen the clock and all, but I want to find more about its origins.” Kadde explained.

“What is the 'World Clock'?” Will asked. He had another piece of toast and settled into his chair a bit. “ The clock itself is a marvel of ancient engineering. It keeps track of the hours, days, weeks, months, and years of its entire operating life. It tells time, obviously, but it also records all the arcanic activity of Ged. “Truly amazing!” Kadde said excitedly. “I've always wanted to know more about how it was made. Who made it? and Why?”

After a little while Miila and Julia came down stairs and joined Kadde and Will. “I take it 'Vul' will be digesting today?” Miila asked 'matter-of-factly'

“Of course. He is our porter and strongest member. I couldn't make half the progress I wanted if I didn't have his size and battle prowess.” Kadde answered as he motioned for 2 more menus.

“Hey Will, feeling better?” Julia asked with concern. She knew, that for better or worse, she needed Will to help get her back to Earth. “Yeah. Much better. You?”

“Still getting used to the whole 'another world' shock, but otherwise not bad.” Julia said nervously. “Oh, you'll be fine. Just act like yourself and you'll be okay. With so many different cultures and peoples on Ged, most don't mind the everyday weirdness.” Miila said as she stretched out and looked for something meaty on the menu.

After a nice conversive breakfast the group finally got down to the day's business. “It'll be 3 days before Vulgurutt is up for the next leg of the journey.

So, while we're here we need to prepare you two for the road, that is if you'll be coming.” Kadde said, glancing back and forth between Will and Julia. Julia's stomach felt a bit knotted up, she wasn't sure she'd like spending the next several days on the road. She was worrying how far behind she would be on her assignments for class and the possible test dates she'd miss.

Will finally spoke up and mentioned the need for more appropriate attire. “Of course. You'll need equipment for the road, as well as some type of weapons.” Kadde said. Julia's heart sunk at the mention of weapons. She'd spent the past several years studying medicine, and now there was the prospect that she may have to inflict harm on another living thing.

“Will, you are a magic user - are you not?” Kadde asked point blank. “Oh, Yeah. I have some training.” Will answered. “Hmm,” Kadde turned to Julia, but felt uncertain of her skills. “Julia, what are your talents?” Kadde asked.

“Umm, well, I'm not really the talented type, I guess.” Julia wasn't sure what 'talents' she had. She'd spent so many years in school she'd never really taken the time to hone skills beyond the academic.

“I can do first aid or medical care.” Julia was at least confident about her abilities in caring for others.

“I guess a healer then? Usually that's my area of expertise, but it would be nice for some more hands-on assistance.” Kadde was a bit uncertain about Julia's ability to hold up under the rigors of the road once things got moving.

With breakfast finished they set out into the village to find what they would need for supplies. In the mid-day light the village was larger than they had originally expected. There was a black smith, at least 2 tailors, and a market for all the essentials.

Miila took Julia to the tailor for a fitting and something more 'functional' as she explained the rigors of travel. “You see,” Miila explained as Julia was being measured by an Avian-humanoid, she looked similar to Kadde, but had a softer grey and brown feather pattern.

“Most of us adventurer/traveler types have heavier clothing than say your average villagers. It's a 'rough' world out there with creatures and such that would love to take a bite out of your pink, fleshy torso. It pays to have some level of protection. I wear padded leather, as well as protection on my extremities, since I like to get up and personal in the fray.”

Julia tried not to feel nervous as the Avian tailor finished the measurements.

“Which material do you want; leather, scale, chain-mail, or simple cloth?” The tailor asked as she turned to her stock room. “Probably a cloth/leather mesh. Easier for wear.” Miila said. With that the tailor started to work and Miila took Julia out around the village.

“So what do you plan to do, you know, after you're done adventuring and stuff?” Julia was feeling better after a simple lunch of fruit and bread to chat with Miila about other things.

“Sometimes I don't know for sure. Somedays I feel like I want to do this until I can't go anymore. Other times I want to save enough to settle down with a nice mate and raise a few children. I don't know. I'm only 25, I still have several good years left I guess.” Miila said in a slightly more dreamy voice. “How about you, Julia? Big plans? Settling down?”

Now that she'd heard Miila open up about her thoughts, Julia was kind of lost. All her adult life had been one single goal after another; graduate high school with honors, get into a good college, work on a medical career and diploma, find a great job and nice boyfriend… it was all nice, but the last week or so she'd started to question that plan. “I guess, I'm not totally sure anymore. I wanted to get my degree from school and find a good job. But, after meeting Will, there was part of me that didn't know. Maybe, there's something more meant for… me…” Julia said thoughtfully.