By this time Roddick is already studying the spell and I am not even sure he notices us leaving. Instead of taking Belliza to Walter's shop I take her and Rat to the inn. No way am I exposing Rat to Walter, Belliza might try to kill me if I did.

However, before we can enter the inn, Belliza notices the carriage and changes direction. She immediately starts examining the carriage, exclaiming about how heavily enchanted it is. As soon as the carriage door is opened Rat climbs in and starts playing inside.

Since the carriage will keep Belliza busy for a bit I leave them and head over to Walter's. As soon as I walk in the door a saddle is thrown at me and curse words quickly chase me out. Taking the saddle I quickly return to the stable and call Lizzy out.

It takes several attempts before I can figure out how to connect all the traces to the saddle. Belliza is still examining the carriage but Rat is having loads of fun watching me struggle with the saddle. The new saddle fits Lizzy perfectly, as expected of Walter.

When I finally connect the saddle properly I have Lizzy pull the carriage around the yard. I want to test and see if the saddle causes her any pain or if the carriage is going to be a problem for her. From how easily she tows the carriage around I am guessing the second part it not a concern.

"How does it feel, Lizzy?"

Lizzy says "It is weird having something following me, but other than that no problems."

"The weight won't slow you down too much?"

Lizzy says "No, it is barely noticable."

"Excellent! Then we can proceed with the enchanting. Belliza, how long do you need?"

Belliza says "Three, maybe four hours."

"Alright, how about I take Rat to visit the tower while you work?"

Belliza says "Sure."

Rat yells "Yay!"

Before I leave, I remove the saddle and disconnect it from the traces so Belliza doesn't have to mess with it. Then carrying Rat I head back to the tower and spend a few hours playing with Rat and the kids. After lunch we return only to find that Belliza has already finished the enchantments.

She is sitting and talking with Sarah, at least until Rat runs up and starts telling her about playing with the kids. I join them at the table and we chat for a little while before Belliza leaves with Rat. Sarah gets up and fetches a couple of drinks for us and then hands me some papers.

Sarah says "These are the documents you wanted, from the ambassador."

"Oh, right. Thanks."

Sarah says "How long do you think you will be gone this time?"

"I'm guessing at least a couple of months, maybe more. It depends on how things go."

Sarah says "Any special instructions for while you are gone?"

"No, not really. Everything is already in motion as far as plans go."

Sarah says "Alright, stay safe out there!"

"Don't worry, I will be careful. I am taking the kids with me after all."

Sarah says "Yeah, I guess that's true."

After finishing my drink I head back to the tower to start making preparations. Aside from me and the kids, Myria and Windy will be going with us, but I am going to need a little help. When I track down Zamart he is in the library as usual, and he agrees to shrink Kechara for me.

"Yui, do you have any kind of long range communication devices?"

Yui says "No, sorry. Why?"

"I'm just worried about taking Kechara away from the barrier for too long. I was hoping to have a way for Core to contact me if something goes wrong."

Core says "Other than the mirrors that Yui and I are using, I don't have anything either."

"Guess we will just have to risk it. I plan to head south from Illium and swing by the sacred mountain on the way. It should take us a couple of weeks or so. I will have Kechara fly around the mountain and come up to check on things."

Core says "A couple of weeks should be no problem. The barrier survived more than that while Kechara was growing up."

Yui says "I will see what I can do to help Core monitor the barrier. If we can determine the rate of decay we can figure out how long Kechara can safely be away."

"Great! That would be a huge help!"

Yui says "Is there anything else you need?"

"Just one thing, those sensors you had me place for you, do you have more?"

Yui says "No, but I can make more. Why?"

"Well, I was thinking that if I took some with me down to the border it would increase your sight range. That is if they can act as relays for each other?"

Yui says "They can, and being able to see farther would be nice."

"Sorry, I know you are running low on materials. Give me a list of what you need and I will have Sarah start purchasing stuff. What we can find anyway."

Yui says "Thank you, Ash. That will help a lot."

"No, don't thank me. You have been using resources to help me all this time. I should have been providing resources to you from the start."

Core says "There is another option."

"Oh, what's that?"

Core says "There are materials stored in the city that weren't taken. If the spiders have truly left it should be easy to retrieve them."

"Hm, that could work. And I haven't forgotten my promise to check the city. I suppose delaying the departure for a day wouldn't be a problem."

Core says "I can map out the locations where the resources are, but I can't be sure you can get all of them in one day."

"I wasn't planning to go alone."

Yui says "Who are you going to take with you?"

"Kechara, Asuna, Myria, Kitara, and the guards."

Yui says "So, basically everyone but Windy and the kids?"

"Yeah, pretty much. It will be a good chance to see how the procedure has affected their combat power. Assuming we run into something to fight."

Core says "There has still been no activity within my range of detection."

"Yeah, I'm guessing they are playing dead as part of a trap."

Yui says "Let me guess, you plan to walk straight into it?"

"Basically, yeah!"

Yui says "Typical! Myria isn't going to like this!"

"Actually, I think she will be fine with it. Now if I were to try and leave her behind, then she would probably try to kill me."

Core says "At least he isn't trying to go alone."

Yui says "True. That is an improvement I suppose."

The conversation ends there, other than having Yui inform Kitara to join us for dinner. During dinner I don't say much, not until everyone is done eating, then I ask Windy to take Ekard and Haku to the play room. Once they are gone I tell the rest the plan to scout the city tomorrow to look for resources.