The elf's eyes widened.  "Really?  That's impressive.  I'm certain there's a story behind the invitation, and it's one I'm sure will grow in the telling."  He grinned and winked.  Trill was not the sort to pass on something someone would prefer kept quiet.  His smile widened even further at the promise of details.  He dressed well, and tried to stay abreast of fashion when he could.  Mira was interested too, though she often pretended she wasn't.  Though she liked pretty clothing and flowing dresses, she couldn't afford to get the fancy things that the upper classes wore for such affairs -- nor could she move freely in such attire.

"We'll see you there in a bit, Esme," the young healer replied.  She leaned back against Trill for a moment, and then got to her feet, grabbing her glaive from where it lay in the grass.  "Right, better get moving," she told the elf as he stood as well, sliding his harp into its case and fastening it shut.

"Why don't you go get what you need, and I'll get the horses ready?" he asked, leaning in to kiss her cheek.  "That way by the time Esme's ready, Kelsey will be ready to stop playing around."  They parted ways, Mira to student housing and Trill to the stables.  As expected, the dappled gray jennet that Mira rode did her best to keep him from putting the saddle on properly.  "You're a tease, you know that?" he told the mare, tapping her side.  "You just like the attention.  Come now, stop sucking in air and then I can give you proper attention.  How does that sound?"  With a combination of stern scolding and sweet cajoling, Trill finished with Kelsey and went to saddle his own horse.  Dancer was a long-legged gelding from the elven lands, with the disnctive golden color so commonly found there.   "At least you don't fool around like that."

Mira didn't waste time, grabbing her coinpurse and the shoulderbag she usually took into town.  Passing in front of the mirror, she paused to look at the reflection that stared back at her, one hand going automatically to the scar on her cheek.  It was an ugly and glaring marking, in her eyes, a memento of the day her town had been attacked by a band of lizardfolk raiders, a common hazard where she'd grown up.  Not all lizardfolk were bandits, of course, nor all bandits lizardfolk, but the experience had soured her on both.  With a sigh she turned away from the mirror and went to meet up with the others.

Trill was waiting both both horses by the time Mira and Esme joined him at the south gate.  "All ready, ladies?" He asked, flashing them a bright smile.  He passed Kelsey's reins to Mira and swung up into Dancer's saddle.  "Shall we?"

---

The ride into town was uneventful, and before shadows began to lengthen again they had arrived.  Trill swung down from his saddle, and tossed a coin to a nearby boy who looked hopefully his way.  "We most likely won't be back for them for at least an hour, maybe two or three.  See to it they're well looked after, and there's two more of those in it for you."  The boy nodded, giving a gap-toothed smile and holding out a hand for Trill's reins, and then those of the two ladies.  Then he ambled off, the three steeds in tow.

"So," Mira said brightly, looking at Esme.  "Where should we go first?"