Dorian speaks more, filling in little details and offhanded thoughts of things he forgot to mention before. James makes a good listener, despite his normal state of excitement and what seems to be the natural need to be up and active, he never moves from his place at the elder vampire's side, listening calmly to everything he has to say. [i]'Tis strange. It is almost as if somehow he is entranced by my speech. I wonder if he is not feeling well. From the short time I have known him, I do not believe I have seen him sit still this long, least he be sleeping. Perhaps he is lost in his own thoughts, my voice being only back chatter at this point. Ah well, it does not matter. All of these things will be rehashed at some time in the future, some of them many a time I am sure'[/i]

As the moon at last rises, the last bit of sunlight vanishing from the sky save for the moonlight itself, Dorian and the boy at last rise from their place on the cave floor and get ready to leave. Grabbing him before he can run off the elder vampire beats off some of the dirt from James's clothing before dusting off his own, returning his hair into the sleek pony he normally wears after finding his ribbon. He looks to James, lamenting the fact that the boy seems to have a distinct distaste for being even the least bit clean, however he resigns himself for now, simply stoking a faint hope that one day he may come to enjoy the feeling of clean clothes and body.

[i]'I am not insisting on always being clean. I myself enjoy a good rough and tumble every now and then, however if he insists on being constantly filthy, I have no idea what I am to do with him. . .'[/i] He lets out a sigh, shrugging with a smile on his lips as he watches James staring at the Wahru. Horace nickers softly and Dorian pats his neck, getting the beast ready for travel. Horace has grown fairly use to the Wahru by now and doesn't even flinch when one of them yips nearby after getting shoved by another one. “That a boy Horace. You know they will not harm you now, do you not?” He murmurs softly to the beast soothingly, talking about nothing in particular while he works.

When at last he is ready Dorian swings into the saddle and calls for James to join him. The young vampire scrambles up into the saddle behind him and Dorian chuckles as arms wrap tightly around his waist. Patting those arms softly the elder gives Horace a light nudge with his knees and they start out on their evening ride. All around the Wahru take up the cry, some falling into pace around them, while others move off further from the group to help keep track of things. As per the norm the leader travels near enough to Dorian, just off to the right of the horse, to hear any instructions he may have for the beast and his pack. However the elder vampire has no need at this time and simply urges Horace to move faster.

Glancing over his shoulder Dorian smiles lightly at the boy before looking back to the road before them. When at last they are back on the actual road the Wahru lift their heads to check for humans. Finding none, they continue traveling close to the elder and his ward. “It will take most of the day to get there now. Horace's wound is healing well enough, however I do not wish to push him.” There is no accusation in his vice, feeling the boy has already done his penance, though non was really performed. [i]'Some would say that I am perhaps too soft on my children, however one can not always expect the same needs for each child as far as discipline goes'[/i] They cross another bridge around midnight, and a few hours after the lights of the town ahead come into view as they top a rise.

With the wave of a hand he send the Wahru off, they already knowing the drill for their master entering a populated area. Only Toplin may enter the town, and then only if he can get his hands on some clothing, and only in emergency. As it is now, he darts off into the forest along with the rest of his pack. This town is much larger than the one they lift the night before, the building looking more tall and grand even if they are mostly dim in this early morning mist running across the moors and through the streets. Glancing once more over his shoulder Dorian decides to run through the plan real quick so the boy has time to prepare himself mentally.

“Once we are in town, since we have no reservations, we will seek out a decent establishment with a stable for Horace first, and if we can achieve that goal quickly enough we will go out to eat. If not, we will try and find someone in the inn itself, and if there is no one suitable there, I am afraid we shall have to wait until tomorrow night to feed.” He pats James's arms gently. “In either case, we will not begin our investigation until tomorrow, however, should you sense anything this evening that catches your interest, be sure to let me know.” Once he is sure James understands Dorian once more nudges Horace forward and they begin heading once more for the town in the distance.