Caleb took a deep breath. He'd try this again, and if it didn't work, he'd ask about just walking into town instead. Eddy seemed much healthier now that they'd had a chance to get some water. Half of his issue earlier had to be that thorn in his foot. Even as Caleb tried to convince himself, he couldn't ignore gut twisting knowledge that he was wrong. Something told him that the longer he had Eddy away from the ocean, and to a lesser extent away from any water at all, the deadlier it would be for him. His time with Edward on land was limited.

"I'll do it this time." Caleb insisted, his jaw tense with determination. "I know I can. I can do it. I've been doing it right, it just hasn't worked, but I'll make it work." The certain young boy closed his eyes to focus harder. His hand swept though the air in exactly the right way, his fingers moved in just the right pattern, he said precisely the right words. He released his magic. Nothing happened. Caleb had never been so frustrated with himself in his life. "Why can't I do this!?"

Hunter watched him with those ever patient eyes, as if they had all the time in the world. "Perhaps," he replied, as if it were the answer to everything, "you are simply not capable of it. Or perhaps, as I said earlier, you are doing it wrong. You are trying too hard, and you are rushing yourself. You will not be learning this spell today, or perhaps ever, if you can not learn to control your thoughts and your emotions more."

~~~~

Ribbon's tail flew at the familiar voice. She spun towards the sound wagging and barking. As the dog eagerly approached Sara's youngest grandchild, the older woman tensed. Her steely eyes scanned the crowds in anticipation. Her caution rewarded her the sight she had dreaded as much as she had expected. Her second born stood not far from where child and dog greeted each other affectionately. If Sara could, she would have no contact at all with the son she held no love for. It was only for the sake of her grandchild that she allowed any contact at all.

"Kayden," the man gave his mother an oily smile as he addressed his ten year old. "We still have much to do. Come along now."

Sara had always loved that name. Both she and her husband had told their children many tales of the Great Traveler. Sara did not doubt at all that her least loved son had picked that name specifically to hurt his mother. They did not like each other, and she suspected they never had.

"But papa," the youth protested, "Ribbon is home! That means Grandpa will be home as well! Won't it?"

Sara could have sworn that the man before her smiled even wider at the thought of his mother's displeasure. "I don't know. Why don't you ask Grandma? It appears Ribbon is with her."