Darin felt something hit her as she jerked awake, “I’m awake! I’m awake!”

She then looked around as she rubbed the sleep sand from her eyes. It was easy enough to figure out what had happened. She must have fallen asleep while visiting Talbot and Ridahne had woken up and then come to find her. Darin stretched out towards the sky as she pushed herself up. She suddenly remembered that she did not like sleeping in the stables. She was sore and stiff. Luckily, she was young and would soon work out the kinks. She bent down to retrieve the apple Ridahne had tossed at her in order to take a big bite out of it. No matter why she was or where she would go apples would make an excellent breakfast.

Darin smiled at Talbot as she reached out to rub a hand along his flank, “Thank you for sharing your bed with me Talbot. I’ll be back later.” She turned to speak to Ridahne, “Where to today? I figure we still need to resupply, and I would like to see the archives you spoke of.”

Another voice called out, “I can help with both those things.” Darin turned to see Mrixe Janeel, “I hope you don’t mind me accompany you today Warrior Torenzi. The Council has asked me to ensure you don’t cause too much trouble while you are visiting.”

Darin thought she knew what was going on. The Council wanted to provide someone to escort The Seed-Bearer about Lihaelin and saying they wanted to watch Ridahne made a perfect cover story. They also showed some wisdom by having Guard Janeel be the one to do it. He and Mr. Armin were probably the only two people from the meeting last night that Darin would have tolerated, and the guard was the person that would have made sense to trail after an exile and a criminal. Darin just wasn’t sure if she wanted a shadow today or any other day that she was here. She took a few deep breathes. What would happen if she said no? She wasn’t sure and wasn’t sure how to ask.

Then Mrixe held up a basket, “My partner made apple dumplings for breakfast. They’ve been out of the oven for a little more than an hour.”

Okay, Darin could be bribed. She would admit that she could be bribed. She left Talbot’s stall and practically flew towards the basket. Mrixe laughed as he held it up. She reached in for the breakfast pastry. It was the perfect warmth and there were plenty that Darin didn’t feel guilty or greedy for taking a whole dumpling for herself. It was just warm enough that was perfect. She bit into it and let out an appreciate moan. The cinnamon and sugar were in perfect balance. It reminded her of good days of home. It wasn’t exactly the same as what she made at home but it was close enough. The pastry that the apple slices were wrapped in was almost perfectly flaky. Mrixe’s partner didn’t skimp on butter.

She turned to Ridahne with a smile on her face, “Ridahne! It’s like apple pie! For breakfast! Come try it.”

Mrixe laughed at the almost childish antics, “If you don’t mind me asking how old are you Mr. Lively?”

Darin looked at him with wide eyes, “19. Almost 20.”

Mrixe looked at her with surprise on his face, “That’s young. Even for a human. We’ll have to work in some fun for today. All work and no play make apprentices very, very tired.” He looked over Darin’s shoulder at Ridahne, “Wouldn’t you agree Warrior Torenzi?”

What did that even mean? Darin wasn’t sure. She understood the concept of having fun as a way to rest. She just didn’t think that fun was called for. Did her climb yesterday count as fun? What was Mrixe’s idea of fun? She wasn’t sure if they had time for fun. She finished her dumpling and eyed the basket. She could have another right? Mrixe smiled at her as he held out the basket. She took that as an okay to have another. His partner was a really good baker. She wasn’t going to worry about fun right now. She was just going to enjoy her treat.