They knew it would be at least a couple days, so they rode as long as they could get away with, rest, eat, and stretch their legs. Then they would continue into the night, where they would set up a camp, eat, and sleep.

And after a few days of this cycle, they began to see plant life, and other signs of water nearby. At one point they looked at the map and it showed a path towards a lakeside town.

Endermon wasn't sure if she could trust her mother's words from the letter. She said they didn't have anything to do with the magic map, but she couldn't be sure. But if it wasn't her parents, then who or what would be assisting them, and to what end?

As they traveled, the sand gave way to roads of varying amounts of usage. Some were just paths, where some were actual roads. Without the constant sunlight they were glad for their armor. It was still warm, but not stiflingly so.

They came upon an inn with a rather large barn/stable. They dismounted and went inside to see about accommodations for the rest of the say and the following night. As the driver set up the horses, the group went inside.

They were able to get two rooms and once they put their stuff away, they went down to order a meal. After they ate, they asked about bathing and they were shown a communal bathing room. Thanking them, they went and cleaned all the travel off of themselves.

Immediately feeling better, they went off to look around. It wasn't a town but they had a few buildings. A tavern, a general store, a few modest homes. Dresden went straight to the tavern, Rutus went to check out the store, and Endermon and Shiloh went back to the room they shared with Rutus.

Who knows where Shiloh's driver went to, but Shiloh said not to worry, he'd be back. Endermon said okay and they began discussing the map. Endermon also showed Shiloh the letter from her mother. As Shiloh read the letter, Endermon looked at the map.

Shiloh looked up and asked if she was 100% certain that her parents had not sent the map. Endermon thought about it, and said if they had, it more than likely would not magically change by itself. Shiloh nodded and then asked to see the map. Endermon handed it over and put the letter back.

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When Shiloh looked it over to her satisfaction, they turned to discussing the journey and their next steps. They figured if it really wasn't her parents, the person or persons responsible either wanted to have a laugh at their expense, or would want all the credit at the end.

There was also the possibility that the mystery people couldn't get the last bit themselves, so they were using them to achieve what they, themselves could not. Shiloh thought that was also a good possibility, and they lay on one of the beds thinking which three of the options would be best.

Endermon asked how Shiloh was liking the sun. Shiloh said she couldn't remember how long it had been up to that point, but was finding it pleasant, except when it got too hot. She said she could feel her powers lessen if she stayed in direct sunlight too long.

Endermon said she would have to find some balance, or now that they were closer to an actual town, might double up on the snacks. Shiloh burst out laughing, and asked if Endermon had actually referred to people as 'snacks'.

Endermon groaned and said Dresden must have been rubbing off on her. Shiloh smiled and said she would figure something out. They lie there just content to be with each other. Pretty soon Rutus came through the door with some groceries.

As she was putting them in one corner to take out in the morning, she glanced over at the bed and asked if she was interrupting anything. They said no and started to fill her in on what they previously discussed.

As they were talking, something occurred to Shiloh. She asked how much about anything did Dresden actually know. Endermon said he knew she was a fairy, but not that she was a princess. Also that she was pretty sure he didn't know about her abilities.

Shiloh was shocked, how could he not know? Endermon said she never talked out loud to the animals, and any time she had done anything to influence the plant life, he wasn't around or wasn't paying attention.