he main streets of Alarin originated from a circular center and shot straight out to the city walls in accordance with the points of the compass. The smaller streets formed concentric circles around the center in such a precise way that an overhead view of the city resembled a perfectly formed spider web.

Foot and horse traffic flowed inward, down the wide, straight streets toward the city center, like rivers that ran backwards to their point of origin.

Tom, the Horse and Cow were swept up in the current and they allowed the momentum to carry them to the heart of Alarin.

The city was so large, and the streets so densely populated, that it took them the better part of an hour to reach their destination. Once they arrived at the circular center, or "Town Square" as the locals called it, they washed ashore and were deposited on the banks of a small wooden stage that had been hastily assembled atop a base of flat white stones.

A rowdy crowd of burly men, and burlier women, was milling about, and a show of some kind was underway on the ramshackle stage. They had arrived from the west, and since the stage had been set up facing south, they could not see the performance.

"Tom, why don't you work your way through the center of the crowd and see if you can learn anything about Sabrina. The Horse can go north, and I'll head down to the south end," said the Cow.

"When did you get to be in charge, Cow-girl?" snapped the Horse. "And why do you want to head down to the south end, anyway? The crowd is packed in tighter than sardines down there!"

Standing on his toes to look over the heads of those nearest him, Tom noticed a number of food booths set up at the south end of the square. "I'm guessing it's the Fried Broccoli Surprise that's pulling her that way," said Tom with a smile.

"Fried Broccoli Surprise!" squealed the Cow with delight, a small pool of liquid forming at the corner of her mouth. "I'll be there in two shakes, even if I have to trample a few of the townsfolk along the way."

"We're supposed to be searching for Sabrina!" said the Horse. "Have you forgotten that she's in trouble? Your stomach can wait, Cow, but who knows what Sabrina's going through at this very moment?"

The Cow frowned and lowered her head. "You're right, Horsey," said the Cow. "If we wait too long we might come across Fried Sabrina Surprise, and I'm pretty sure that would make me lose my appetite. I'm pretty sure it would."

"Yeah, come on Cow, let's find Sabrina and then we can have a big feast to celebrate," said Tom. "I'll head into the crowd, like you suggested. We should pick somewhere to meet after the show ends in case we can?t find each other again."

"Good idea, Tom. Let's meet at the banks of the Ginz River, below the main gates of the city. Exit Alarin at the south gate and then go down the western trail and you'll end up at the river," said the Horse.

They all agreed to the plan and soon they were pushing their way through the crowd looking for clues to the whereabouts of the mysterious Sabrina.

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