Aurana smiled and looked away. "It's hard to tell, really. I'm fifteen, so I should at least be able to go out sometimes. Mother and father disagree, though. They keep saying that I can be independent when I'm married and settled. I'm only allowed to go out with them when it's to court. And it takes an era to get dressed for something like that."

"You really can't go out on your own?" Rhazii's confusion was reaching outright incredulity. "How do you spend time with friends?"

"Jatinha's my only friend. She lives in the house, so I don't have to go out." Aurana brushed her hair from her eye. "She's nice. She kind of watches over me, though. I don't get to talk much to other people my age, like you guys."

[hr]
"Yes," Janius answered Kaleeth's question immediately. "In Anvil. They don't visit."

Ahnasha's question made Janius' tone calm again. "They did not meet anyone of that description when we were out today, no. I kept a close eye on them." His eyes lifted to them all. "If they had met her, it was either back at the keep or if Julan and Rhazii entered my family's home first. It could have been either. We'll soon find out." He began walking to follow the rest of the trail.