"That's the long and the short of it, yes," Janius said, "In the meantime, worry as much or as little as you dare, but be sure to trust in us." Janius smiled and gave Kaleeth a quick kiss. "I love you."

---

Fendros looked with his head still hung over to Ahnasha and couldn't help but give a small smile at the prospect of yet more training. Just because all the emotion had been drained out of the situation, that didn't mean that Ahna was going to let Fendros' behaviour slide. He was almost going to joke that they try to train Leaps to replace Rhazii's soiled loincloths when his attention was brought to Kaleeth and Janius.

"I didn't imagine him so much as getting together with Kaleeth in the first place." Fendros tried to lay back again to rest properly, "He has changed quite a bit since meeting her. I don't think we'll see the last of it any time soon."

Fendros stroked his hand over Rhazii's head. The way the cub slept like a rock at a moment's notice was astonishing to him sometimes, at least until he was inevitably awakened by something. "It would be nice for Rhazii to grow up beside someone closer to his age." Fendros' eyes found Ahnasha's again, "Whether or not Kaleeth and Janius have children, do you think we could convince Meesei for the pack to stay here for a while? I mean, it's safer for Rhazii. There's help, education, and friends for him as well. I know it's not like us to stay still, it doesn't have to be for too long, but..." Fendros trailed off.

---

Whether out of politeness or uncertainty, neither Oswall nor Vera spoke immediately. Vera eventually encouraged Oswall to start with a low wave of her hand.

"Very well..." Oswall cleared his throat loudly, "I still believe that my place is with the coordination of the clan's fighters and the defence of our home. My realms are in discipline, training, and organisation. However, I have learned that my judgement has not been the wisest in dealing with this leadership strife. I was deceived too often, and acted too defensively and suspiciously. In that, the greater needs of the clan were ignored compared to my own position, and I must own up to that mistake." Oswall pointed a thumb to Vera, "I personally believe Vera to be more in tune with the clan as a whole, and will act in its interest at all times. She has the humility to admit when she is wrong, and the willingness to make up for it. That is not to say that she is easily manipulated; her wisdom is better found in full leadership than mine."

Whatever Vera had planned to say, it was all lost in a look of bewilderment at Oswall. "I...um, I did not expect such praise. I don't think all of it to be completely true, but...if you say so." Vera looked down and paused. She let out an uneasy laugh as she failed to think of what to say initially. "Oswall, I feel like I too often let my own personal feelings get muddled in my decisions. We may not be perfect, but you are at least decisive in practical approaches." She glanced to Darahil, "What is your opinion, Darahil? I honestly don't know which of us would make for a better leader."

Darahil's normally stoic, mouth-full-of-needles expression now twitched whenever he put weight on his wounded hip. He didn't return Vera's gaze, rather he concentrated on the path ahead of him. "I would bear no ill will to either of you, but when I said that I would prefer to speak in confidence, I meant to speak with the Champion alone."