I walked towards the market, looking all over then spying Wynne and Leliana exactly where they had said they would be.

"There you are! We thought something had happened to you."

Leliana moved quickly towards me and took hold of my arm as I explained the situation to her.

"I'm so sorry! We were caught up with Alistair's family and... we just lost track of time. I just remembered and... Well, here I am."

Wynne looked perturbed but did not say anything beyond adding that she was glad all was fine. Leliana had a nervousness about her that dissipated as I finished speaking.

"Come meet his family for a moment and then we'll all head back to camp before dark."

We returned to Goldanna's house and I knocked on the door as we arrived.

Alistair opened the door within seconds and told everyone to come inside, quickly apologizing to Wynne and Leliana then skipping right to introductions.

I watched as Leliana sunk down to her knees and said hello to the boys, who were much less shy with her than they had been with us. Wynne just said hello from afar and stood near the door, holding her parcel in her arms.

Leliana spoke softly to them.

"Show me what toys Uncle Alistair got for you."

Cyrocco and Drachen wasted no time running across the floor to show off their toys, beginning to explain just how the Golems did not like the boats and how they rode their magical horses around. They did not explain how the colored balls came into play but Drachen rained them down over everything, laughing and picking them up again and starting over. Leliana smiled the whole time, nodding her head and agreeing with everything the boys said, adding that she was very impressed with their toys. I would guess this is the most company the boys had had in a long time and they were going to enjoy it to the fullest, trying to convince Leliana to step outside with them and help save the village by killing the evil wizard.

I watched them interact with each other and smiled. Leliana was even good with children and when they asked about her bow, she took it off her back and brought it in front of them, explaining how she used it and letting them touch it. The boys were very impressed and began ranting about needing help to slay the dragon that Alistair had supposedly already helped slay earlier.

Wynne greeted the children again as well when they approached her and showed her their toys and then spoke briefly to Goldanna but they hadn't much in common and Wynne looked as if she wanted to leave, continuing to check the light outside the window.

"It will be dark soon, Detra. We should be leaving."

Alistair looked at Wynne and then me and began pouting, not wanting to leave.

"Wynne's right, Alistair, we need to be on our way soon. We don't want to be traveling in the dark. If you'd like, why don't you stay in Denerim tonight and we can pick you up tomorrow?"

Alistair considered it for a moment.

"No, no, I can't let you ladies go alone. I will go back with you."

"Are you sure?"

Alistair once again considered his options.

"Yes, I can always come back. But let's go for tonight."

I pulled Alistair aside for a moment as Leliana and Wynne were saying goodbye to his family, handing him a purse of coins.

"Why don't you give this to Goldanna, Alistair? Thirty sovereigns should be good for now. We always can send more later."

Alistair's eyes burst open and he paused while reaching for the coin purse I held towards him.

"Thirty sovereigns? Are you sure that we can afford that?"

I winked at Alistair.

"We can afford it, Alistair. Goldanna deserves it and so do you. I do not like seeing anyone living like this."

The three of us said our quick farewells then walked outside to allow Alistair his final farewells for this visit and Leliana commented on how cute the boys were.

"Aren't they, though? And the blond one even looks like Alistair!"

We giggled in agreement and Wynne just looked toward the sky, again voicing her worry about traveling in the dark.

"He'll be right out then we can go, Wynne."

Wynne nodded impatiently and adjusted the pack across her back for travel.

I was not sure what was wrong with Wynne, perhaps she was just tired or maybe there was something else wrong. I thought about speaking with her and then Alistair came through the door.

"Goodbye! I will see you all again soon!"

Alistair closed the door behind him and we were off again, back to camp.

We all found Alistair to be unusually quiet during the trip back to camp, a small smile seeming permanent on his face.