The dwarf stopped in his tracks."For me?" the rough voice of the young lantern-bearer asked."Aye." Esfalan was amused, but only slightly. "For your fa...ily and the family of your son and his son after." This is a gift worthy of a king, Sir Elf. I thank you, and my family shall not forget you."Later that evening - if it were evening and not full night under the stars, they were deep in the mountainside and would not know - Esfalan had presented Valsten with two of the hanverri, the. I took the towel from around my neck and threw it over the back of the chaise. I took off my tee shirt, and dried the back of my neck before I threw it in a heap on the chaise. It really was going to be a hot day, I could tell, because even that short ride had built up a sweat. I sat on the end of the chaise and started to take off my shoes, but the concrete felt hot on my bare foot, so I put the left one back on, but left the laces untied on both feet. Then, as I stood up, I thought, Oh yeah,. As we left the clearing I looked back over my shoulder, and was surprised at the change that had taken place over the past few weeks, I also felt that I was leaving home. Never before have I ever felt so attached to anyplace.We made for Jane's old home site, I intended to sweep round in a circle to see what lay in the immediate area, and always be within a few hours of home base. Well that was the idea anyway.We passed the spot where we were ambushed, and there was hardly anything left of the. Trish was already up and had made herself something to eat. I made some tea and cooked breakfast for Stephanie and I. When we finished, the three of us cleaned up and then the girls packed their things to head back to Milford. While Stephanie was packing, I sat on the bed talking to her.“I wish you would let me stay a few more days, big brother. I really want to see Jennifer,” she said.“I know, Squirt. But Jennifer and I need our time together, like you and I talked about.”“I know,” she sighed..