Without hesitating, Tunxeek nodded and rummaged through the bag Meesei pointed out. He pulled out a flask of red liquid that he pulled the cork from and sniffed to confirm its effect. He passed it to Meesei and sat down by Sabine.

Sabine herself was trying not to cry or breath too suddenly to try and avoid aggravating her injuries, but she had a red face and closed eyes still. At least she had calmed herself down a little. She opened her eyes and glanced around to Meesei, then to Tunxeek. "Sorry for... yelling." Sabine said quietly to Tunxeek.

Shaking his head, Tunxeek raised his hand to wave it away. "It is okay. I understand. Just do not hurt yourself talking."

"I wasn't good enough. I didn't win."

This caused Tunxeek some pause, then he glanced at Meesei and back to Sabine. "I thought you did well. You were up against a better opponent, and you gave him some big bruises. Just try again when father picks someone to fight you. The fight will be better."

"What if I don't win?"

Tunxeek smiled, "Then you try again the next day."

"And if I never win?"

"You'll win. You worry too much." Tunxeek retorted, intentionally being ironic in the face of his own tendencies.

Sabine picked up on this and even she started to smile for a moment and chuckle, but the laughter quickly stopped as she winced in pain.

Tunxeek's smile dropped at this. He craned his head forward and rubbed his back guiltily. "Um... sorry."

---

For a few seconds, Fendros was silent. He sat up and held the wamasu, thinking with worry. Slowly, he passed the wamasu to Ahnasha the looked at Janius with the utmost seriousness. "Janius, it was bad enough that he didn't like us being here, but if the Master-Hunter has started meaning outright harm upon us because you've been with his daughter..." he motioned to Kaleeth while he spoke, "...then perhaps it would be safer if you two stayed away from one another. If only to stop him being provoked further."

Janius responded with the same tone, "No, Fendros, you weren't there. Zharanthixil tried to attack Meesei when she intervened in the fight. He meant harm upon-"

"-He attacked Meesei? That's an even greater reason to stop this." Fendros' tone became more intense as he interrupted.

"Even if we separated, Fendros, he would find another excuse."

Fendros lowered his brow, openly cross now, "Is your libido really worth risking our lives, Janius!?"

"This isn't about my libido, Fendros." Janius wasn't in the mood for this and it started to show.

"Then what is it about?! Hm?"

"I love her." Janius said flatly.

At this, Fendros stopped himself. He slowly relaxed his tensed shoulders and stood up straighter. He sighed, then looked to Kaleeth, shifting his eyes back to Janius. "Really?"

Janius nodded.

Fendros looked at Kaleeth again, this time he had more sympathy than anger in his eyes. "And you, Kaleeth-Rei?"