Janius smiled and nodded. "I don't doubt that. It's just that we've never left him alone for this long. Well, he's got Jo'rashaad and S'ajira, but..." Janius let out the rest of his breath and frowned. "He's barely two and a half years old. I can't help but be worried. And..."

Janius closed his eyes and swallowed. For the first time in years, and very uncharacteristically for Janius, he began to seem more uncertain and tense than Kaleeth. He held Kaleeth so close that he brought his face to her shoulder. "We're in so much danger now," he mumbled. Kaleeth could feel his tears start to run onto her scales. "Kaleeth. Can you t-...? I need you to tell me we can manage this."

[hr]
Gallus closed his eyes and dismissed Ri'vashi's apology. "I think it will be enough to hear that she's alive. Tzirret can go and see how S'nishi is himself."

Far from letting Ri'vashi get away that easily, Gallus caught up with her to stand beside her so he could talk to her more directly if she wanted to keep walking. "But enough about those matters for now. How are you faring, clan leader?" Gallus managed an empathetic smile. "And how is your pride?"