Tzirret lowered his head in shame at his efforts. Once again, he counted it a blessing that La'khay could keep secrets. For the last question, one thing floated to the front of Tzirret's mind that he had been wondering about for a short while. It wasn't specifically to do with the topic they had been on.

[i]"Tzirret has been curious about one thing,"[/i] Tzirret was trying to sound careful, [i]"Is it really okay for us to...you know, mate? Uh-he means...Tzirret still desires to, but...not that La'khay is old, but...La'khay has seen a some more moons than Tzirret. This is not what this one thought was the normal way to do it."[/i]

"I know," Fendros shook his head calmly, "I don't see him being able to kill you at all." Fendros closed his eyes for a moment and refocussed, "But, anyway, perhaps you're right. If I just lay everything bare and make it clear that they can't make me stay...it will be ugly, I know it, but whether they accept it or not, they'll know. No more lies." Fendros looked at a tree, sadly, "Beyond that, I suppose I'll still have Llarasa either way."

Fendros reached an arm around and drew his family sword slowly. He held it in two hands and faced the point down, bringing his eyes to the ornate guard with the Avarul crest. He couldn't believe that he had carried it all this way. "Do you think I should give this back to them?" he asked.