The night sky was still, nothing but the lights of the stars danced. The bright shine of the moon's light the surrounding area of the road. Kira had fallen asleep resting her on Lily's shoulder. Lily sat with her arms crossed and was well alert to the surroundings of the group. Francisco fought off the desire for sleep to maintain the spell he cast upon himself and Kira. His eyes were weighted with the tender blindfold of rest. Francisco glanced over to Diomede who hadn't moved since his abrupt awakening from his dream. "Say, my friend, does your mind still linger on your nightmare?" Asked Francisco. Diomede turned his head to the Nesfundur, sitting up he gave an expression confirming Francisco's question. "My…nightmare, was of something I thought I had buried a long time ago." Diomede's voice became void of emotions, "It appears my recent actions have awakened old demons of my past." Francisco stroked his nonexistent beard and thought for a moment. "Well my friend, I am struggling to stay awake and am in need of something to do." Francisco turned to his bag and began digging. Diomede watched was curiosity. The bard turned to the front where Gareld and Clayton sat, the pair still faced forward and seemed deep in conversation. Though it was one-sided with Gareld doing most of the talking, and Clayton trying his best to fight off the hands of the sleep prince himself. Francisco reached down deep into his bag and began to pull out a long string instrument. It was a viola, dark brown in color. Covered with carvings of woodland creatures running up and down the neck and across the base. The strings were fine and reflected the moonlight like silver silk. "I have a feeling this may be to your liking." Francisco stated as he prepared himself and adjusted his body. Diomede looked upon the viola with a saddened heart. It had been far too long since he had last gazed upon such an instrument. "Now for this one time only I shall grant you a free request for me to play whatever you like." Francisco joyfully said. Diomede broke his gaze and stared off into the open plains of grass. As the wind blew causing the blades to dance and shake, one song came to mind. One he had longed to hear for years. " My friend if you are able to play it I would wish with all that I am to hear, "Bell's Memory"." Francisco's brow rose so far that his magical image began to shimmer. "My friend, if that is what you wish to hear then I gratefully answer your request." Francisco took a deep breath and stilled his mind thinking of nothing but the first stroke of movement. His body became as still as a statue, and with a large exhale he began. The first note, a long slow draw along the stings, the second a low draw. Diomede captured by the music, felt his body become light as air. Memories of a simple time flooded his mind, and images of her came. Francisco continued playing the notes and sang. They seemed both sorrow-filled yet hopeful, Each passing note captured the attention of Clayton and Gareld. Clayton felt his heart wain and looked to Gareld. Tears fell from the old man's face, Gareld looked away and wiped his eyes, but to no success, his face remained covered. Clayton turned to watch Francisco play. Though changed to the form of an old man, the Nesfundur bard too had tears fall from his eyes. Diomede began to smell with fresh scent of the spring flowers carried on the wind, he could just barely feel the breeze that would run across him as he and Her lay in the grass. The restless movement erupted from Kira, she woke to the sight of everyone just listening to Francisco play. Randy had even slowed his pace as if to hear the song. Kira felt the many emotions around her, though sad and heavy they felt different than normal, and they felt happy as well. It was not until the highest point of the song was reached that her attention was captured by the note. Her eyes widened, and her heart lifted. She felt as if the music was going to carry her away. Francisco struck the final notes, resting on the last pulling the string. All was silent as if the world stopped just to listen. Diomede placed his hand on Francisco's knee, giving a slight squeeze. "Thank you, my friend, I haven't heard that song in a very long time." Francisco bowed his head, "I could tell me, not many remember such a song, and those who do..well they can never forget it." Lily nudged Francisco's foot, "What was that song bard?" Francisco while putting his things back into his bag replied, "That my dear was a song called "Bell's Memory". I played it at the request of our large friend here." Lily looked to Diomede who had now turned his back to everyone and sat on the edge of the wagon with his legs hanging off the back. "Why was it so sad sounding?" Asked Lily. Francisco pulled his pipe out and began taping it over the side of the wagon, "It sounds that way because the man who wrote it did so for his wife." Lily and Kira's attention rested on Francisco, Clayton had even turned to hear what was being said. "His wife? What she died or something?" Lily asked. "Yes and no." Said Francisco. Lily's face twisted with confusion, Francisco laughed, "It is said he wrote it because he fell so in love with her the moment he saw her, he lived their whole lifetime in an instant." "Then why does it sound sad?" Lily asked. "It sounds that way because her husband knew he was going to outlive her, so when he wrote it he captured that sadness." Francisco stopped lit his pipe weed and took a few deep puffs. "But, he was hopeful and happy because of the time he would get to spend with her." Francisco stated with his smoke trailing behind them. Kira sat up and placed her hand on Diomede's shoulder, Diomede tapped the top of her hand in reassurance. Gareld looked back and saw the group. "I got to say it's been a long time since I seen a group as close as you lot are to one another." Clayton snapped his attention to the driver. He peered at everyone in the wagon, each close to the other, yet only having been together for such a short amount of time. Clayton turned a gazed into the dark that blanketed ahead of them. It was not until he began to smell the burning of wood. "Ah, I think we are getting closer. I can smell the evening roast going on." Clayton peered deeper as if to see any glimpse of light from their destination. Clayton strained his eyes until the small dots of flames danced in the distance. "There." Said Clayton as he pointed into the dark. Gareld leaned to see what Clayton was pointing at, "Well I'll be, you got some eyesight there boy.' Gareld said as they overcame the hilltop. Kira noticed the feeling of relief coming from the front, she nudged Diomede to turn around. "How are you holding up my scaly friend?" Diomede asked Francisco. "I am fine for now but the hand of sleep has gotten a hold of me, we need to get to our sleeping place soon." Francisco whispered. Closer and closer the wagon approached Fungle village, the gonce sea of grass that had been the group's sight changed to the farm fields. Filled with mushrooms and some small crops, even in the night the fields looked massive. Randy came to a halt just at the entrance of the village. "Alright from here you are going to have to make your way over to the large house over there." Gareld said as he pointed out toward a direction. The group climbed down from the wagon and gathered in front of the village's welcome sign. "We thank you, my friend, I am able to compensate you." Diomede said as he turned to his side. "Oh, no worries about that sir it was my pleasure for y'all to help me with my overturn." Gareld loudly said, with a quick snap of the reigns Randy trotted off, Gareld waved his hand as the wagon turned a corner by a building. The group turned and walked through the large mushroom-shaped entrance arch. "This place seems quite nice." Francisco said as they neared the large house Gareld pointed out. Its roof was a dark brown, while its exterior was a light beige. It held a porch large, enough for six chairs to be placed comfortably near each other. Diomede stepped onto the porch, the wood grown under his weight. Kira, Lily, and Francisco followed behind and shuffled onto the porch. Clayton scanned the area around them, quiet and still. The grounds had fallen into place for the night. Clayton felt a wave cover him, not one of danger but of the gaze of a stranger. Clayton peered into the shadows, attempting to see any movement. "ERIC!" Shouted Diomede, "Come we will rest for the night." Clayton turned with walked up the porch stairs. Once he reached the top, he was met with the sight of an older woman. Black hair that was stained with grey, and she had a green scarf wrapped around her shoulders. Her dress was a dark purple with patterns of flowers along the bottom. "What with all the commotion? We were about to turn in for the evening." The Woman stated with an annoyed tone. "My apologies my dear, we have come by way of a wagon driven by Gareld Layer." Francisco said while he imitated an elderly man. The Woman curled her nose at Francisco, "What does that have to do with me?" Asked the Woman. "Well, my dear we require a place to lay our heads for the time being." The woman glanced at the group, looking over every small detail, as if to try and find something out of place. "Why should I help you? Especially when you haven't even introduced yourselves!" Francisco dropped his head and bowed down deep in front of the woman. "How rude of myself not to make introductions, I am Robert Murkwood, and this here." Francisco, using his hand gestured over to Diomede, "My son Sir Eithen Murkwood." Francisco then motioned over to Kira who still held the form of a young dark-skinned woman with thick red hair. "And this is his daughter and my granddaughter Susan Murkwood." The woman glanced at Diomede and Kira, "Granddaughter?" The Woman spoke. Francisco replied with a heartfelt smile. "And who are those two? More relatives?" The Woman asked as she pointed out Clayton and Lily. "Oh Yes, this here is my son's squire Eric Murk, and his wife Mary Murk." Francisco stated. The woman gave Francisco a look of displeasure. "They are distant cousins." The woman looked over everyone, "Fine you may rest here. I won't be one to turn visitors away in the middle of the night." The Woman turned and opened the door to the large house. The warmth rushed out the door and engulfed the group. The smell of baked sweets and a pine fire filled their noses, "I am Lady Jillian Walters, and welcome to the Tea Cup House." On the inside of the Tea Cup, was a large staircase made of root wood. Across from the stairs was a large fireplace, within it a fire blazed casting a warm orange light throughout the room. Mrs.Walters led the group in and motioned upstairs. "You three will sleep in the large room at the top of the stairs, those beds are the softest" Diomede, Francsico and Kira filed behind one another and began upstairs, the three replied to Mrs.Walters with a united "Yes Ma'am." Clayton and Lily stood behind and watched as the group made their way up the flight of stairs. "And you two will sleep there." Mrs.Walters pointed to a door that sat on the other side of the large fireplace. Clayton and Lily slowly walked over to the room as Mrs.Walters' gaze rested on them. The sound of doors shutting in unisuse echoed, as the group breathed a sigh of relief.