It took an annoyingly short time to retrace the distance that Ildri had walked by horse.  When they were nearing the edge of the small town, Ty took the vial from the sack hanging off the saddle and handed it to Ildri.  She sighed, but she took it and drank it.

The potion tasted as if it could not decide whether to taste boring or bad, but worse it coated her mouth and throat with an unpleasant fuzzy feeling.   "That was terrible," she complained.

"I know," he agreed.

"Is anything happening?  What will I look like after this?  How long will it last for?" she asked.

"Everyone looks a bit different, but you'll look a lot older and it only lasts for a couple of days.  It wears off gradually."

She looked at her hands which still looked basically the same as they had before.  "That's why you kept looking younger, right?   And why are my hands still looking normal?  Has my face changed?"

"It'll take a minute or two.  You'll know when it does."

"I don't see why I have to look all old."

"They are looking for a young girl and an old man.  We'll say that you're my grandmother if we need a story.  Hopefully we'll get through without being noticed."

Ildri did not want to be anyone's grandmother, but she supposed that it was as good a story as any.

Then a peculiar prickling feeling went all across her skin.  "That is so odd," Ildri exclaimed as the feeling faded away.

"Now you look totally different.  Let's go."

They continued towards the town and once in the midst of it Ty dismounted and helped Ildri down.  "Try to move like an old woman," he whispered.

"I am," she hissed back.  "And you're really one to talk."

Ty responded out loud.  "There, there grandma, I know you're tired.  Why don't you go and rest in the shade while I tie up the horse and get some supplies."

"But I want to come inside, and I also want to see if there are any travelling merchants," she argued.

"Grandma, you know that you're not as young as you used to be," he said, and then added in an undertone, "The less that they see of us the better.  And it would be good if you would keep an eye on the horse.  Please, Ildri."

"Fine.  We wouldn't want that horse to be stolen or anything.  You go on," Ildri said, and then moved to sit in the shade of the tree that he had indicated.  She felt very irritated at his highhandedness.  Was he worried that she would tip people off that they were more than what they seemed?  She could not help pouting a little while he tied up the horse a short distance behind her.

It was nice and cool with the canopy above her.  At least she got off her feet.  And the birds were singing.  She would rather be inside somewhere safe surround by and talking to people.  She had thought that they had reached an understanding but here he was treating her like a naughty child.

She was growing quite bored by the time Ty came out of the wooden dwelling, carrying a couple of saddlebags which seemed to be filled with things.  As Ildri watched a young woman came out after him, carrying another bag.

They moved close enough that she could hear what they were saying.  Ty spoke to the girl who was distressingly pretty.  "I could have made an extra trip."

"Oh, I don't mind," she said and smiled up at Ty.

"I thank you for the assistance," he said gallantly as he tied the bags on the saddle.

"Oh, is this your grandmother?" the girl asked as she handed the bag to Ty.

"Yes," he agreed, far to cheerfully for Ildri's preference.

The girl seemed to be waiting for an introduction but instead Ty said, "I've thought of something else we will need for the journey."

"I'll be there in a moment," the girl agreed as Ty walked away.

The girl came towards Ildri and Ildri tried to put her best effort into not looking irritated.  "Hello, I'm Rene.  You are Bill's grandmother?"

"Yes, I am.  Very nice to meet you," Ildri lied politely as she sized up the girl.  She could see why Ty would like her.  She was really quite pretty and seemed to be sweet.  The traits did not make Ildri like her more.

"Bill told me that he was taking you to visit your newborn great granddaughter.  That sounds most exciting," the girl trilled and she sat down on the ground beside Ildri.

Ildri wondered just how old she looked.  "Yes, it is very nice."

"He's so very thoughtful."

"Oh, he is," she agreed.  "Very thoughtful."

"I was just wondering, will you be passing back this way on your return trip?" Rene asked hopefully.

"Oh, I dare say we may."  Ildri had not the slightest idea of what their plans were for the future.

"You should stop by.  We also have an inn.  Mother could give you a deal."

"I'll mention that to Bill," Ildri said.

"Really, that is great!"

"Oh, it is," Ildri agreed in as a cheery a tone as she could ground out.  This girl had no idea what Ty was really like.  "You seem to like my dear grandson, don't you, my dear?" she asked, throwing caution to the wind.

Rene looked startled for a moment then turned red.  "What?  I don't really know him," she protested.

"Come now, dear.  We're both girls, although I may be a bit older."

"I guess so."

Ildri smiled the most kindly smile she could produce.  "He really is a good boy.  And he's so charming."

Rene looked a bit more uncomfortable, but Ildri was beginning to enjoy herself so she saw no reason to quit.  "All the girls back home are absolutely in love with him.  Why, I can't think of a single lady within ten years of him that doesn't simply adore him."

"I see," Rene said slowly.

"Of course he does have quite a temper but one rarely sees that side of him.  That's a good thing, too, since it is rather frightening.  When he loses control there's little to do but flee and hide until he calms down again.  But really, he is very sensitive.  All the ladies like that about him. Flowers and sweet talk and whatnot, it's really quite lovely."

"That does sound lovely.  Well, I'm going to go—"

Ildri cut off Rene with a little smile and cajoling words.  "Rene, dear, please don't leave yet.  He made me stay out here and I am so very lonely.  It's been a long time since I got to have a nice chat with a sweet girl like you."

"Well..."

"I'm so glad that you will stay here with me for a while.  I've been trying to find a proper wife for Bill for so long.  Not one of the girls I've met thus far has measured up to what he deserves.  He needs a sweet wife to take care of him and help steer him in the right direction.  But no, no reason to worry!  He's a good boy, very sensitive.  Why, he's so sensitive that he wet himself until he was twelve years old.  In fact—"

"Thank you, grandma, but we need to let Miss Rene get back to her tasks," Ty said dryly from behind Ildri.

"Bill, darling!  We were just discussing you," Ildri chirped up at him with a wide smile and unrepentant good humour.

Rene saw her chance to escape and was up on her feet in a mere moment.  "Bill, and uh, Bill's grandma, it was nice to meet you.  Have a safe journey," she said as she dashed back into the house.

"And what was that supposed to accomplish?" Ty asked with a peculiar expression.

"I was playing my role, dear boy," she said with another grin.  She did not care what he thought.

"I hadn't realized that your role involved terrifying the townsfolk."

"I wasn't terrifying her, I was talking with her. You might try it some time."

Ty's eyebrows raised a bit.  "That's what you call that?  She practically ran away.  I have to get a couple more supplies and I will be right back.  Please behave yourself."

Ildri narrowed her eyes.  "Don't give me that sass, boy.  I remember you when you were still in diapers."

Ty chuckled.  "Please, just stay here and don't talk to anyone."

"Fine."

Ildri watched as Ty walked away.  She smiled, feeling rather pleased with herself although she could not quite figure out why.