Fendros stared for a moment, blinked, looked down, and leaned back on his hands. "We can only get so many from our missions," Fendros whispered back. "And the more time we're out there..." Fendros trailed off an knitted his brow at Rhazii. He was laughing at something Julan had said.

Fendros turned his worried look to Ahnasha. "We are already absent more than I would like from our son's life. These missions. I know that this will take a lot of work, but Rhazii isn't getting any younger either. I don't want you to miss out on him growing up by shutting yourself away too long for your research. He'll miss you."

Looking ahead, Fendros lifted his knees and considered Ahnasha's words. "How many? What kind?"

[hr]
Gallus let his arms slide free as Ri'vashi stood up. He didn't give her any more words. His frowning, tear-streaked face gave one firm nod and watched her leave.

Several seconds after Ri'vashi was out of sight, Gallus took a couple of stumbling steps backwards, landing his back against the mushroom stalk Ri'vashi had been leaning on. He slid down to the ground, his knees bent and pointed upwards. His face fell into his hands and he let out all the air in his lungs through pouted lips. Holding his breath, his eyes emerged from above his fingers, reddened once again. Some faces of people he knew in the Orcrest clan flashed in his mind and his next breath came in sharply.

He didn't rejoin the celebration for another ten minutes.