The relaxed approach to seating arrangements and the hardness of the seating meant that each of the packs intermingled to some degree or another during the journey. There was a different seating arrangement after almost every stop. Despite the code language that had to be used around the carriage drivers, most everyone got to know each other well.

During the trip, the packs had picked one day each to make camp in a slightly obscured position to everyone else, except Rhazii and Newt. The drivers didn't ask too many questions, but thankfully they didn't have enough curiosity to check on the camp out of the way and find it empty during the night. The howls during the night kept them with the larger group.

For the children, all of the new sights, smells and sounds kept their eyes transfixed on the world around them. Rhazii had never seen so much grass and so many trees in as long as he could remember. In fact, he was so fascinated that he either still didn't realise or didn't mind how long they would be away from the clan. Newt and Leaps were always around to play with whenever they camped.

Much of Rhazii's curiosity about the world, features great and small, came forth in the form of questions that Fendros answered to the best of his ability. Fendros had to admit that his patience was occasionally tested by the never-ceasing tide of enquiries, but he managed to keep a cap on his temper for the entire way so far.

Sabine spent most of her free time in Peiter's company, if only because she was most familiar with him compared to others outside of the pack. They would trade stories, make idle chatter, or sometimes just spent silent hours looking into the wilderness. The other members of Gallus' pack had to address her directly to get into a conversation with her.

The main difficulty that Janius faced in the first few days was getting Leaps used to the shuddering and cramped space on the carriages. Leaps would be uncomfortable and tried to vault over the back a number of times. For a while, he was so restless that Janius considered disembarking and walking him alongside the carriages, but that would have slowed them down. Before too long, however, the packs worked together to help Leaps calm and he soon learned to trust the carriage, lying flat and taking in the sun.

Though the white-gold tower was visible for most of their journey, upon reaching Lake Rumare it was properly connected to the vast wall of the Imperial City across the water. It brought its unfathomable size into perspective for everyone. Those that hadn't seen it this close before, Tzirret, Rhazii, Peiter, and Newt included, had their eyes locked on it almost all the way to where they set up camp.

Prospects of a swim had Janius initially dubious. He squinted at water and rubbed his chin. "As long as we don't go too far out and we get back before dark, I don't see what's wrong with a quick swim."

Upon Rhazii giving an "Okay," Fendros took him by the hand with a smile. "We'll go," Fendros said, "You've probably not seen so much water at once, haven't you, little one?"

Rhazii shook his head. He wasn't as ecstatic as Newt due to travelling all day, but he was curious about the lake.

"Um...this one heard that there are slaughterfish in the lake," Tzirret responded to Peiter, "Is it safe?"

Janius gave a short laugh, "As long as we don't go too far out or start throwing bait in the water, Tzirret, there'll be no slaughterfish."

"This one will...dip his toes only," Tzirret conceded.

After giving a nod to Peiter, Sabine stood up and strode to Tzirret quickly. She took the nervous Khajiit by the arm and quickened his pace towards the lake shore. "You will swim!" Sabine declared.

Apart from some surprised stammering, Tzirret didn't respond. His resistance was made up of stumbling with every second step.

"I think I'll stay around here," Gallus said while seated near the centre of the camp, "Someone has to keep the fire stoked for when you come back."

At that point in time, Uthri was on firewood duty. If she were to join them, she would do so when she came back.

On the walk to the beach, Janius put his hand on Kaleeth's shoulder and gently pulled her close. "Our child swims faster than I do, even at his age," Janius muttered, "Will you make sure that he doesn't swim too far?"