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guided them, both were dressed more quickly than was usual.  Seth sat on the end of his bed pulling on his new boots.  Lacing them up tightly, he looked across the room at his brother who was doing the same.
    “Well I guess this is it.” Seth said in a tone of resignation.
    “Yeah.”  Was the only response Garret could muster.
    Good. Seth thought.  At least Garret is finally getting the picture.
    Both boys rose from their beds, and exchanged compliments on their new attire.  Garret did indeed look like royalty in his blue and silver travel garb, with his sword already sheathed at his hip, and dagger at his waist.  Seth reached down to pick up his belt and new sword, and threaded the belt through the scabbard.  He then did the same with the dagger and strapped the belt around his waist.  It all felt a bit heavy, almost uncomfortable.  Garret looked Seth up and down in appreciation and laughed loudly.
    “What?” Seth demanded. “Did I put something on wrong?”
    “No it’s just funny seeing you like that.”  Garret continued laughing.
    “What’s so funny about it?”  Now Seth was getting a bit annoyed.
    “Well.”  Garret said trying to compose himself.  “You’re all dressed in black, with a black cloak, black sword, black, black, and more black.”
    “What’s wrong with that?” Seth questioned, sounding a bit harsher than he intended.
    “Nothing. It’s just that you look like what I imagine an assassin would look like creeping around on roof tops.”
    Both twins started laughing then and Seth imagined what he must look like all dressed in black as if he were clothed in darkness.
    “An assassin huh?” Seth thought out loud.
    Now there is a profession I hadn’t thought of.  I wonder if assassins are picked at The Gathering.  Just one more worry to add to the list.
    The boys picked on each other’s new stylish looks a few more minutes then headed out of their room, to the common room, where they could hear their father talking to someone.
    Rounding the corner into the seating area where they had received their gifts the twins saw the other boy from last night seated at the bar eating and nodding to a question James had asked.  He was a tall, skinny kid, awkward looking, with a child’s face.  His hair was a light blonde color, and cut just above the ears as if a bowl had been placed on his head and then cut around.  His eyes were a bright penetrating blue, seemingly full of happiness.  Beside him were two more plates of food.  James looked over to the boys from behind the bar, and waved them over, pointing at the plates of food.
    “Eat while its hot boys.”  James smiled.
    “It’s Ashton right?”  Seth asked the boy at the bar.
    “Yes, Ashton Rayne.” The boy said with a smile on his lips looking over the twins.
    “You must be Seth.” Ashton said.  He reached out and clasped hands with Seth briefly and then turned his head to look past Seth.
    “That makes you Garret then.”  Releasing Seth’s hand he then extended it to Garret.
    “It’s nice to meet you.”  Was Garret’s reply, Seth merely nodded his agreement.
    “Your father has been telling me all about all the extra work he is going to have to do when you guys leave today.”  Ashton added.  “It seems we all are leaving things unfinished behind us.”  He trailed off on this last part as if thinking of something far away.
    “Well boys.” James said.  He didn't like the mood this last statement from Ashton was bringing out.  “Eat your fill, you got a long journey ahead of you.  If you need more food just holler I'll be in the kitchen.”  With that James turned on his heel and walked through the door to the kitchen.  The boys, all three, watched him go uncomfortably each seeing the tears gathering in the big man's eyes.
    The twins seated themselves beside Ashton, Seth the nearest, and began eating.  They each had a heaping plate of scrambled eggs, day old bread, cheese, and fried pork.  This was