"Actually," Janius interjected, "I didn't start learning much sooner than you did, Sabine. The difference is, I think, that I never had as intimate an instructor as Meesei to fill gaps in my understanding until I joined the pack." He put a hand on his hip. "Even then, I was getting bruises from Lorag much of the time more than you've been taught."

Though Sabine at least attempted to be modest about losing the little challenge, the encouragement did help to lift the unreasonable expectations about herself regarding her skill in magic. With some perspective, she found it a little overwhelming to be so close to Janius' level. She never would have expected that when she started getting taught magic. Even so, she didn't quite believe all of Meesei's claims. "Are you sure that I would only take a few months?" She asked with a small smile, a tilted head, and sceptical eyes, "I have been able to cast the ice spear spell only since recently."

[hr]
The only disturbance to Gallus' expression was his eyes darting down and up, as if he had only just noticed the scent of Ri'vashi and their tryst when it was mentioned. Thankfully there was enough around what Peiter said to give a response as if his observation was inconsequential. "I expect that I may be still be with...at least either with Sephy or Olivia, unless they...you know, decide otherwise." Gallus broke eye contact, looking to the side as he leaned his hand on his chin and reflected. "As for whether I've gotten past having fun...I suppose I have. There was this Breton girl - Carlia. This was back before I found you, I was much younger. Thing is, she reached that point first. She wanted to marry me, you see, but I never really did. In retrospect, I really broke her heart, but I wasn't ready for anything like that." Gallus' eyes glanced to Peiter and away again, "She was the girl I left Uthri for at that time. Ancient history, really."

Gallus took another breath to continue. "Another time was with Renee, an Imperial girl from out west. In that case, we were together for seven months and I sort of fell out of love with her, I guess you could say. The spark went out. Wasn't fun any more. I had been sleeping with Uthri by the time I broke it off with her anyway, so I suppose that was the nail in that relationship's casket." Gallus half-smiled and turned his tone to be lighter of heart. "But listen to me, focussing on all of the destinations rather than the journeys." Gallus peered a sideways look to Peiter. "This's all not to say your prospects are bad, Peiter, just that it isn't always the eternal fantasy. I don't think you're the type to make the same decisions I have."