The weeks spent in the desert didn't provide Gallus any hiding places with regards to his pack. The quiet gatherings for meals rose in tension, in spite of Gallus working out his business with Ri'vashi. His avoidance of Peiter in particular caused heated arguments to break out between Gallus and Uthri. Gallus probably would have gone insane if he didn't have Meesei and Ri'vashi to socialise with.

More and more often, Tzirret was avoiding the drama by spending time with Ma'tanza. They continued to grow close, though the situation with Tzirret's pack was causing him great anxiety and distress. He still felt too awkward around Peiter to do anything much more than say a few words.

Sabine continued to spend much time with Peiter, though she couldn't do so all of the time with her duties. She could see the flaring tempers in Peiter's pack only making Peiter's situation worse. She wished she could do something about it.

In comparison, Meesei's pack was all but recovered from the attack. True, they were sad about Uthri's death and there was concern raised about Peiter via Sabine. However, the parents were mostly looking forward to seeing the children again, as well as taking advantage of the time they had alone together. Meesei's treatment continued without fear for her life.

[hr]
"Where do you think they would be waiting?" Fendros asked Janius and Ahnasha either side of him. Wading through the crowd aimlessly was proving to be a slow method of finding their children and their guardians.

"Newt!" Janius called out, cupping his hands to speak over the crowd. He looked around the main hall with a furrowed brow. It was impossible to spot anyone outside of the immediate area. "If only they were taller. S'ajira's on all fours and Jo'rashaad isn't the tallest one in the clan." He tried again. "Newt!"

"Rhazii!" Fendros took up Janius' strategy.

Janius let out a breath. "It feels like it's been so long," he said to Kaleeth. "They've probably grown a bit."

"Rhazii!"

"Dada!"

Fendros' head snapped towards the familiar voice and the four shuffled through the crowds towards it.