“It is good to see you again, mother,” James said as she came over to embrace him as well. “How did everything go on Earth?”

Lady Elyse slipped into the chair that her husband pulled up for her before speaking. “As well as could be expected,” she sighed. “I had to make use of Mannick’s services in the end, but I was at least able to explain to all the parents that our young friends would be safe and sound with us.”

Cerys’s eyes widened. “Did you seriously tell them about Carawick and Summerlay?”

With an amused smile, the baroness replied, “Not at all, dear girl. I told them that you would be joining us for a camping trip.”

Bayani chuckled to himself, catching the attention of the baroness. “His mother must have took a long of convincing,” he explained. “Peter hates camping.”

“Not anymore,” Peter added sarcastically.

“How did my parents accept such an explanation?” Himeko asked. “It was Thursday when I left, and they hate it when I miss school.”

“Not to mention going places with people they don’t know,” Cerys added.

“That was why Mannick came with me,” Lady Elyse explained. “Not dressed like this, of course. On Earth, we make sure that we blend in. That said, he convinced them that they have known us for a while, and that it was, in fact, a Friday. They expect you back Sunday evening and hope that all of you have a lovely time.”

“You used magic on my parents?” Peter asked. “My mother is not going to like–” He paused and cleared his throat when he saw his sister’s expression. “She will not like the situation when she finds out the truth.”

“Do you suppose that she will learn what is actually happening?” the baroness asked. She did not seemed worried just yet as to what might happen. Cerys decided that she was probably the kind of woman who thought things through and waited until she had observed everything before making any decisions.

“if we are not actually home Sunday night,” Peter said, “I think your story will start to fall apart.”

“I shall ensure that matters are taken care of,” the baroness replied in an effort to reassure them. “For now, it is best that you set forth on the journey that my husband explained to you.”