We return to Ellis and the rest of the Dinostars, who are stocking up on supplies

"Ellis! Ellis! Can we get that?"

I lift the package off the shelf and take a closer look at it. It's Magic Specials, which is apparently a brand of fancier food. There's things like jerky, molasses, cans of beans, fancy stuff that's better than the regular terrible traveling hardtack. It's expensive, though. But Mom gave me lots of money, and we need to keep up with our health, especially Charl's. 

I sigh. "Okay, sure."

Charl squeals a bit. I place two packs in my shopping bag and continue to look around. There's a big package of spare wagon parts that I consider, and decide to come back to later. I pop a pack of travel essentials into the bag, and get a smaller package of wagon parts. They're REALLY expensive, but I think it's a good brand. There's only a few left on the shelves, and it comes with extra grease and pre-made filler blocks to patch wagons before river crossings. 

I get a big pack of hardtack and half-wonder if our wagon will fit all of this, but it's fine. If I need to, I can carry some. Then, of course, I get some coffee. Sometimes it feels like I could fall asleep while walking, and I can't have that when I'm Charl's only line of defense out on the trails. I almost buy that store out of coffee. The good coffee, that can strengthen your stamina instead of weakening it in the long term. 

I check out at the counter. It comes to a grand total of 95 Ujuni, Catanari's main currency. It isn't bad, but I still need to pay for an animal. Mom and Dad got us a small wagon that's really more like a cart, but I still need to find an animal to pull it. I head over to Panny's Stables, and buy a mule for 30 Ujuni. I'm about to walk the mule back to the stables near our hotel, when Charl spots a small toy shop. 

"Ellis. Can we go there? Please?"

I look at my little wallet of Ujuni. We have 54 Ujuni left. I probably shouldn't be spending the extra money, but I think Charl deserves a little treat. 

"Sure."

We walk into the toy store. It's filled with little dolls and teddy bears. There's corn-husk dolls, stuffies stiched so well it's like an art, and little toys made of twigs and twine. I glance quickly at the prices. Then Charl leads me towards a teddy bear.

"Ellis, can I get this?"

I look at the price tag and recoil in shock. It's expensive. But for good reason, as it's very well-made. I definitely shouldn't be spending 10 Ujuni on a stuffed animal, but Charl had to give up so much - we all did - to get here. What I say next I almost want to shove back into my mouth, but Charl's hopeful expression stops me.

"Sure, bug. I'll get it for you."

Charl beams at me, and I take it off the shelf and to the cashier, a sweet-looking young woman. She explains a bit about the toy, and how with good care, it should stay nice-looking and fresh for a while. I hand it to Charl, and he squeals happily and hugs it to himself. 

I walk back out to our wagon and mule, then realize that I forgot to buy feed for the mule. Oh well. It can graze on the trail. There's supposed to be lots of grass lining the roads, and I'm not going to spend my last Ujuni on food for  an animal that can feed itself by the sides of the trail. Proving my point, the mule bends its head down and munches on a sparse patch of grass growing through the cobblestone road. 

Charl looks up at the mule adoringly. "Horsey!"

"No, Charl, that's a mule."

"We need to name the horsey! Let's name it Caramel."

I sigh. I'm too tired to argue, or really say anything else. "Okay, Charl. We'll name it Caramel. Now, let's get back to our room."

"Okay!"

Mom and Dad told me they would meet us back in our hotel room, so I head upstairs and crash on the bed, planning to just rest a little bit. But my eyelids are getting heavy, so I tell Charl I'm going to take a nap. I close my eyes and just  s l i p  a w a y  into a dreamless sleep.