Fendros simply shrugged and continued as Ahnasha opted to try one of the trodh. He couldn't see her expression clearly from where he was once she had swallowed the fish, but Fendros saw enough to chuckle. 

"You know what? Those things aren't so bad, I'll have another." Janius said, floating chest up in the water, but paddling over to reach the waterskin. From his position, he made eating the trodh look almost decadent. Somehow.

"Alright, I suppose I'll try one now." Fendros reached out to the waterskin and held one up in one hand. "Look on the bright side, Ahna. At least these are easier to find than that jazbay grape pastry you mentioned the other day." He mentioned before holding back his head and trying the trodh for himself. After swallowing, which was thankfully more successful than Janius' attempt, he stood up straight and was perfectly still for a few seconds. Once the movements inside of him seemed to settle down, his eyelids fluttered and he suppressed a belch that might have been something else. He swallowed again and appeared to be fine. "You weren't lying, but I think I still need to get used to the taste." Fendros said, resuming the massage.

Over by the camp, Ariel continued to try and speak to Sabine. Her response was understandable. Ariel doubted that Sabine knew much more about the ritual or even the Hist than she did. There was no telling what could happen. "Are you afraid of the ritual, Sabine?"

Sabine paused again, her mouth twitching. She nodded slowly.

"Is that because you don't know what is going to happen?"

Again, Sabine nodded.

Ariel smiled and reached out to put her hand on Sabine's shoulder. "Sabine, you know Meesei wouldn't put you through this if she knew it was dangerous. I think you can trust her."

Sabine looked sideways at Ariel, then back down. "I know," she mumbled.

"You'll be okay, Sabine." Ariel rubbed Sabine's shoulder comfortingly, "I promise."

Sabine took a breath, then nodded again. They continued their work, but Ariel was almost done as far as what she had available for the salve.