[Child of the 7th Age]

Child was again relieved to see Piosenniel and Rose climbing on to the vessel. She briefly gave a welcome to them, and then backed away, as they seemed to be wrapped in some lengthy discussion.

Child went down to the lower deck and found Kali rummaging about in the ship's galley to begin preparing dinner. She offered to help with the food preparation, and the two were soon engaged in a lively conversation.

Kali went on at great length about the wonderful sights he had seen. He was so happy and animated that Child almost forgave Bird for her foolish sightseeing stunt.

With so many new provisions on board, it looked as if dinner would be a decided improvement over their most recent meals, when the ship's supplies had been so depleted. As Kali prepared the food, he was going on with great glee, waving a kitchen knife in the air to punctuate a description of the proprietor in the inn and the response of Leventro to his story.

Then he came to the point in his tale where the strange bas relief had been discovered. Kali seemed quieter now and more thoughtful. Child sensed a moment when she could direct the conversation to a subject that had been of great interest to her for some time. She decided now was as good a time as any to bring up he subject of Kali's own family.