It was no problem for Gallus to wait for Ri'vashi to arrive. He spent his time going through solo drills with his weapons to hone technique. With all his extra recent duties, he had fallen behind on some of the basics, much to his disappointment. He was well warmed up when he began to hear rhythmic metallic rattling behind him.

It was by the third audible footstep that Gallus noticed the dark and jagged shape striding stiffly in his direction. His first reaction was to jolt and drop into a guarded stance. That was quickly a source of mild embarrassment as he recognised the face of the armoured hulk.

Gallus stood up and relaxed. "Oh, you startled me," he said with a nervous laugh. He only then processed her words. "That's fine. I hope it wasn't an inconvenience to do all that on." Gallus leaned to one side to get a better look. "Did you...design this yourself? It's unlike any armour I've ever seen."

Despite his impressed reaction, Gallus felt somewhat underdressed in his simple mail armour and leather. The only things that added to what he had been travelling in were a long coat of plates and a helmet borrowed from the Orcrest armoury.

"Knowing how you fight, how in Oblivion's name am I going to get through that?" Gallus thought out loud while itching the side of his head with the blunt end of his hammer.

[hr]
As much as he wished it, Fendros did not know whether Irenya got what she wanted. She had appeared receptive enough to Ahnasha's response, but there was no telling without asking her.

Ahnasha's own worries, on the other hand, were not such a mystery to Fendros. He smiled that she was no longer being so stubborn. He slowly wrapped his arms around her waist from beside her and held her close to reassure her. "You were honest. That's all you needed to be, I think." Fendros laid a kiss on her cheek.