Caleb hauled yet another bucket of water across the lawn. Edward had already gone through four buckets, three of them with salt. He set the fourth bucket down and dipped a rag into the water. Slowly he washed his friend's flanks of sweat and dirt. He was glad that they had bought dye that would not run in water. Though it had been rain on their minds at the time of purchase. Caleb rinsed out his cloth before raising the dripping rag to his friend's side once more.

"I'm sorry, Caleb." Edward had never sounded so young as he did right in this moment. "I am trying. The ship was so much easier to pull, and I am so tired all the time."

Caleb lifted his chin. He needed to be strong for Edward. He was still just a child, no matter how grown up he might look. "You are doing a wonderful job, Edward. You are very far from the ocean, and we're only getting farther. Of course you are going to be land-sick. Your father is going to be very proud of you when you go home to tell him about your adventure."

"Do you think?" Edward's ears perked up with his renewed spirits. "I do hope so! I miss him very much. Do you think my father misses me as well?"

"I have no doubts at all that he does." Caleb washed the dust off Edward's legs. The mud ran freely back into the earth. "Fathers love their children and miss them when they are away." Or, at least, that is how Caleb believed fathers should be. Surely his own father missed him, didn't he? He cast a hopeful glance towards the house. The answer to his question, and so many more, sat just through that door. More than anything he wanted to jump up and run inside to learn every fact there was to know about his father. Who was he? Why did he abandon Caleb? Had he even known that Caleb was born? Maybe his mother had hidden his existence from his father. What about siblings, were there any? Did anyone still want him?

Edward did not miss the longing look on the youth's face, nor the way that his friend had stopped cleaning him. He shook himself and flicked his tail into Caleb's shoulder. "You should go inside. That is where you want to be."

Caleb shook himself. "I will have plenty of time. You are more important." He turned back to the task at hand. "When your skin feels it is more normal, let me know. I'll get a fresh bucket of water if you are still dry after I have cleaned you." He dipped the rag into the water one more time, then began to sing. [i]"Swim, swim my darling, and go learn to be free. When you get too tired, that is when you'll see. All the waves in the ocean, will bring you back to me."[/i]

Edward relaxed and closed his eyes. Caleb had remembered his comfort song.

It was a long while later that Edward finally felt normal. Caleb drew his arm across his forehead. "I'll see you tonight, Edward." He hugged the young hippocampus, then turned to Sara. "I am ready to go inside now."

Sara set a hand on his shoulder. "You are a brave child. Come. Stay close to me. Don't eat anything I do not eat from first. Do not drink anything that I have not drunk from myself. Keep your wits about you, and be prepared to run. Know where your exits are. Do not worry about me or Rainbow. If it comes down to it, you get yourself and Edward away from here. Rainbow and I will be fine."

Caleb nodded. His stomach twisted at the ugly thoughts. "You don't truly believe we are in danger, do you?"

Sara looked towards the house. "I hope not."