Jake and Edward continued swapping jokes and stories as the three of them huddled by the entrance of the tavern. Caleb, being the oldest and therefore responsible for the younger boys, was keeping a watchful eye on everyone that passed them by. He knew that it would not be very long before Edward would need water again, and he certainly wasn't about to let anything happen while his charge was weak. 

There were several potential threats he gave a warning look towards, though thankfully none seemed particularly interested in the trio. The only person who did take any interest was a woman in colorful skirts and a crisp bodice. She wondered over to the children and gave them a friendly smile. "Hello boys."

Jake instantly fell silent, watching her with a small frown. Caleb stepped defensively in front of the younger kids. "Who are you?" 

"Marge, but my niece calls me Auntie Marmie." She gave them a bright smile, "You're welcome to as well." She peeked past them and smiled brightly at Edward. "Don't you two fine young men have such a pretty horse!"

Jake lit up, eager to talk about his new best friend. "Thanks Auntie Marmie! He's not just a horse though!" Caleb cut him off with an elbow to the ribs. 

Marge's smile widened as Jake flinched into silence. "He's not?"

Caleb shook his head. "No. He's our horse."

"You two look like you've been hungry. I can't imagine you're able to tend to him very well. He looks sick." Indeed, Edward was looking rather concerned about her. "My niece would just love him." Marge reached into her purse and pulled out a glittering coin. "Why don't you two let me keep him? My niece would love him and spoil him, and you could visit any time you like. Here, I'll give you this gold coin for him. I bet your patents would be thrilled to see you've brought home enough money for a month of food, and found a place for him to stay for free!"

Caleb shook his head. "Edward isn't for sale, ma'am." Marge extended the coin towards him temptingly, but Calen swatted it away. And ugly sneer crossed her face as the coin clattered to the gutter. 

"Well then," from behind them a woman purred. "We'll just have to take him." the second woman flicked het thin sword experimentally. "Be good and you won't get hurt."

Caleb snatched at his sword, fear rising in his chest. "You're not taking Edward! Jake, mount up, go!" The younger boy rushed to obey his instructions. Edward knelt to let him in more easily as Caleb faced of with the sword wielding woman. 

A man faded out of the shadows behind the boys. "That won't be necessary." He laid a gentle hand on Jake's shoulder, though his eyes were locked on the two women. "Go. I'll hunt you two down myself if you bother these boys again." The woman hesitated only a moment before they hustled down the street together. The man gave the kids a smile. "Not a bad scowl you've got there, kiddo." He winked at Caleb. "Almost scared me." At their wary faces, the man laughed. "What, you didn't think JJ would leave you alone out here, did you? Name's Dustin. Code word "sunset"."

Caleb and Jake exchanged a glance. Jake shrugged and whispered, "Kay said her dad and her have codewords, so she knows if he sent someone to see her or not. If they aren't family and don't have a code, she knows they aren't safe. But I don't know what the word is."

Dustin unhooked his sword and offered it to Jake. "Here. You can hold this if it'll make you feel better. I'll get it back if I need it."

"You won't need it." John shut the door behind him. Dustin hugged him with a grin. John slapped him on the back before turning to the boys. "Ran into trouble then?"

Dustin nodded. "Pair of cowards picking on children." He nodded towards the boys. "Sisters, lovers, or just buisness partners, no one's quite sure about those two. They have more faces than the king has knights. A different name for every person they meet." He walked over and picked up the coin, then scoffed. "Not even thr decency to offer a real coin. Nothing but pretty wood."

"What did they want with Edward?" Jake asked hesitantly. 

"Depends on if they could get more for him alive or in pieces." All the kids paled at the answer. 

"We should get out of here." John shook his head. "Maybe I shouldn't have brought you kids out here, but I got my information, and there's one more place I want to take you two."

"Where's that?" Caleb couldn't help but ask. 

John smiled. "Any two boys getting into their own adventures need proper knives. Come. I know a man that will give us a good price on some small blades for you both."