Dendrobates and Dendrianna arrive in Navarre by way of the Gatekeeper, a means they have not utilized in months, and Dendrianna finds herself disoriented.  She firmly grabs his arm to steady herself.  A moment of panic sets in as she looks to her right, and is relieved to see it is Den’s arm she holds.
 
     “I am sorry, Den.”  She says trying to see if anyone noticed her stumble.  “I guess I forgot what it is like to use the Gatekeepers.”  No one notices, that she can tell, and straightens her skirts.

 
     Dendrobates shoots her a careful glare.
 
     “What?”  She raises her hands toward him and shakes her head.  “I am used to walking or riding horses is all I meant.”
 
     He leans toward her and whispers, “You on a horse.  Now that is truly something I would like to see.” 
 
     She smacks his arm.  “You know I have never ridden a horse and as beautiful as they are, they scare me.”  She says scornfully silent and takes solace in Dendro rubbing his arm. 
 
     Dendrianna takes a few steps and looks around at the green foliage of the trees and grassy hill the human temple sits atop, near the gatekeeper.  The flowers and lilacs along the short cobblestone walls surrounding the town are alive with hummingbirds, bees, and other flying insects.  The brilliance of the early fall sky is dampened only by the high whisked clouds – ghost clouds as the children call them because they are light and transparent.  And children with their laughter and clear high toned voices brings a smile to her face – a smile, a true smile, that has eluded her for too long.
 
     She takes his hand and begins to lead him down the hill toward the town center.
 
     “Do not tarry dear; you would not want to keep our dear Miss Seldarye waiting any longer than we already have.”
 
     “No, of course not.”  He says glancing at the Town Board.  The Town Board is a wooden structure resembling an open framed log cabin that is filled with notices; official, community, and personal.  He slows his pace until his arm extends pulling Dendrianna off balance and toward him.  They walk underneath the cedar slat roof of the Town Board and he rubs his short beard as he reads one of the notices.
 
On This Day
The 1st of October 1026
Join us for the annual
Navarre Harvest Days
 
     “Seven hundred and twenty-three days to be precise.”  He says rubbing his arm again. 
 
     “Has it been that long?”  The smile and gleam and happiness she craved for days quickly turns to sadness or anguish.  Like the realization of forgetting something important and personal – the realization that time has passed her by so quickly and irreverently.
 
     “Why…?  How…?”
 
     “One year, eleven months, and twenty-three days to be exact.  Not that you wanted to hear that.”  He says squeezing her hand in both remorse and comfort.
 
     “Den?”  Almost two years?  She exclaims more than questions.
 
     “Aye, as it seems to appear unless, of course, which would be quite unlikely, my calculations are wrong.”  And he stands there, stroking his beard once more, deep in thought.  He shrugs and shakes his head.  “Right as rain, unfortunately.  Now, what does that mean?”
 
     “What do you mean, what does that mean?”  She prods, forcefully , demanding an answer without demanding it.
 
     “I….am not sure.  However, what I am sure about is that this is not the place to ponder our life’s little mystery.”
 
     “Life’s little mystery?  Is that what you would call this? You have an odd concept of little unless you are not so forthcoming with what I want to know.”
 
     “This is an interesting situation we find ourselves in and I cannot think of a better way to ponder our mystery than over a piping hot bowl of Seldarye’s stew.  And a glass of wine, of course, for you.  And a large mug of ale for me.”