Aurana laughed. "I think they would be shocked if I married Jatinha. No, they want to find a nobleman and arrange a marriage when I turn eighteen." Her grin lowered. "I don't get to choose, but I don't really care. They promised I could be independent then, and that means I could just leave if I don't like him."

Julan's question made Aurana straighten and swallow. "I've always wanted to learn how to swim. It looks like fun, but..." She held her opposite upper arms, crossing her arms over her chest and breaking eye contact. "This nightgown sort of...clings when it gets wet."

"Oh. Do you have a scar you do not want to show?" Rhazii asked with oblivious care.

"No, just..." Aurana huffed. "I'm embarrassed, that's all."

[hr]
"Let's just go and take them home," Janius answered quickly. "We can drop the girl off on the way. We're probably not going to leave tomorrow, not until we're ready to move with our High Elf quarry, so I say we should keep them confined to the barracks for the day as punishment." He tapped one foot and kept peering around. "Let's get this over with."

Fendros angled his head. He spoke cautiously. "That sounds like a fair course of action, but what if the boys have told her about you?"

Janius pushed an exasperated sigh through his nose. "We can work that out as it develops. Can we just pick them up now? I am getting tired of this."