"Right, yes, thank you," Fendros fished out the required septims and placed them on the table. He didn't mind that the price was rather steep, given the situation.

"Dada! The man said Ahnasha! Ahnasha isn't dead! Mama is back on the ship!" Rhazii's eyes were welling up now. He was about as confused as the shopkeeper was.

Fendros simply took the flowers in one hand, Rhazii's ear in the other, and turned to the exit. "Newt, come along," Fendros said over Rhazii's cry of pain and surprise. They all walked to the door, Rhazii stumbling to keep up. Fendros didn't so much as look at Gwindir on the way out.

Once the door closed behind them all, Fendros found that a number of heads had turned to look at Rhazii crying. It was no matter. He knelt down and released Rhazii's ear, instead holding him by the upper arms and keeping him in place. Rhazii's tears were flowing now. "Dada, why did you hurt me?" Rhazii asked while rubbing his now sore ear.

Fendros gave a sympathetic look and explained straight to Rhazii. He knew than that he should have done so in the first place. "Rhazii, son, I need you to listen to me. That man in there is mama's father. Mama ran away from her family a long time ago, and mama does not want them to know that she is not dead."

"But, why?" Rhazii asked through a sob, "She isn't dead..."

"Alright," Fendros sighed. "You remember when I told you not to talk about the clan or transforming when we're in cities? You mustn't talk about mama in front of that man, either."

Still pouting, Rhazii put his head down, "Okay."

Fendros managed a smile. "Very good. I am sorry for pulling your ear, little one. You didn't know any better. Now, we're going to go back into that shop. I need you to say sorry to the man - and no more mention of mama, okay?"

Rhazii guiltily nodded and rubbed the tears from his eyes.

"Come along, now," Fendros stood up and took Rhazii's hand. "I haven't forgotten about you, Newt. Stay close now." The three of them entered the store again.

"Gwindir, my son has something to say to you," Fendros said with politeness.

"I'm sorry, mister Gwindir," Rhazii mumbled at the lowest volume he could get away with. He wasn't looking at anyone for the shame he felt.