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to be their last home cooked meal for a while, and it seemed James wanted to make sure it lasted.
    Ashton, being the first to sit down to eat was the first to finish.  Being a good guest, patient to let the twins eat, related to them his journey from home to here at Vineleaf.  He also told them as much as he knew about The Choosing ceremony, much of which they had already been aware.  Ashton then told them about his older brother, Alex, who was already in service to the Kingdom as a healer.
    “I have the gift too.”  Ashton stated proudly, and then continued. “Though I’m not as advanced as Alex had been when he left.”
    With Ashton’s last words, the twins shoveled the last of their food into their mouths, as the door to the kitchen again swung open.  James came out of the kitchen looking fully composed.  He rounded the bar without a word and went to stand by the front door of the inn.  Taking his meaning, all three boys dismounted their stools, and picked up their packs hoisting them onto their backs, and cinching down the straps until they were snug and comfortable.  Looking at the three of them James gave a big sigh as his shoulders again slumped, and heaved the door open, walked briskly through, the three boys following behind him.
    Outside the sky was changing from black to blue, the sun still hidden behind the mountains to the east.  The air was cool, but dry, and there wasn’t a cloud to be seen in the sky.  Today it would not rain.  To the Twins’ surprise, their entire village was gathered just outside the inn.  Everyone was watching them, taking in their new attire and nodding in approval.  Most importantly though, Jack, Emily, Rose, and Samuel smiled at them, knowing they had done their best for the boys, and for that the twins would be as prepared as they could be for whatever lay ahead for them.
    James was the first to take the three steps down into the awaiting crowd.  He was greeted by stiff handshakes from the men, and hugs from the women.  By the time he had thanked everyone in turn for coming, and greeted them all, his tears ran freely down his cheeks. The look of composure he previously had fixed in place had been lost somewhere in the small crowd.  Seeing their dad in such pain both the boys’ too began to get misty eyed and walked down the three steps to tell everyone they loved, good bye.  It wasn’t until Garret had picked up the toddler Samantha, the youngest daughter of max the butcher and his wife Ellen, that he started crying openly.  He would miss her tremendously.  She was very much like a younger sister to him, he had spent many afternoons teaching her new words, playing peek-a-boo, and running around with her little body on his shoulders pretending to be a horse.  Garret tried to imagine how the years to come would change her little face, and it broke his heart.  For Seth it was when he hugged Rose, Emily’s sister, which caused him to start crying.  Rose was very much a mother to Seth and his brother, as was Emily.  It had been Rose however that had taught Seth to read, and to write.  They had spent many nights with Rose reading a book from her small collection Seth on her lap listening intently.  He remembered those nights now and they tore at his soul.
    Both boys felt homesick already.  They hurriedly said their farewells to everyone, and came last to their father.  James stood now with his shoulders thrown back, his face in a pain stricken grimace, trying with all his might to hold back the emotions that tore through his body.  He gathered both of his sons up in his arms, hugging them so tightly it made breathing difficult.  The twins hugged him back just as fiercely.  When the hug relaxed, and they were all able to breathe once again, James took a step back and looked at his sons.  He looked from Seth’s eyes to Garret’s and back again looking back and forth.
    “You boys be careful now…"  James choked.  Blinking his eyes a couple of times,