"And I love you. If you want to try again so soon, I'm certainly willing. I might, uh, need a few minutes, but it will take a bit to get back there anyway." Peiter answered. After rubbing his hands across her stomach for a few moments, he reluctantly let her go, as he needed to gather his belongings as well. 

Once they were both ready, Peiter walked up and took Sabine by the hand. He did not think he had stopped smiling since they climbed out of the river, and looking at her only made it grow wider. He was not sure how long they simply stood looking at one another before Peiter realized he should probably say something. "Well, after you, beautiful."

---

La'khay did not quite smile, but her expression became more satisfied when Tzirret took the pendant. She patted his shoulder and looked at him approvingly. "Good, good. Make sure you do it alone; La'khay will not ask you to prove that you went. This is something you need to do for you, not anyone else. If you refuse to try, you will not be hurting her, it will only hurt you. This one would wish you luck, but she knows you do not need it. She has seen what you can do when you have the confidence to try, so she knows you can succeed. La'khay would still be glad to mate with you if you wish, but she understands if you do not want to do that any longer. Either way, she trusts that you will keep your promise."

---

Up in the outpost, Meesei, Gallus, Do'ajee, and Ra'kalesh entered the meeting hall within a few minutes of one another. At the table at the room's center, near the end, Ri'nakhad and three others, presumably his lieutenants, were waiting. One was a brown, black-striped Dagi-raht male with more covering clothing than the others, like a robe made of leather. Around its edges, one might be able to see the faint tinge of magic. Another was a light-haired Bosmer woman with a scent that was that of neither a werewolf or werelion, and the last was a Pahmar-raht. He had a similar fur pattern as S'ajira, but was much larger, though not to the extent of a Senche. Interestingly, he also had what looked like a steel amulet with a blue gemstone tied around his neck, from which Meesei could also feel the presence of magic.

"Excellent, everyone is here. Please, take a seat." Ri'nakhad said once everyone had arrived. After they all complied, he motioned towards the others with him. These are my lieutenants, Jo'akith, Miranor, and Ra'jorr." He introduced, pointing to the Dagi-raht, Bosmer, and Pahmar-raht respectively.