Tzirret accepted Ma'tanza's kiss eagerly. For once, he didn't mind the extra expectations that were laid on him. He had proven that he could do many things during this journey. Getting better at spelling would not be too difficult.

For a while, they simply kissed in the dark. Tzirret experimented with how long it would last. He even let his hands wander a little more, though he didn't want to push his luck too much. Still, it was hard to gather the courage to do much more when an even baser instinct called out from his stomach.

When the kiss finally ended, Tzirret spoke with a bit less gravity than before. "Do you feel like getting something to eat with Tzirret before he cleans up here? This one has not eaten since breakfast, and he awoke early to do this."

[hr]
Fendros' amused smile widened at Ahnasha's bewilderment. "This has been a long time coming," Fendros said, finally dropping the veneer. He put one of the amulets around his neck. "Now, I know neither of us are much for ceremony, pomp and circumstance, and all that, but..." Fendros stepped forward and put the other amulet around Ahnasha's neck. "...I felt like, after the battle and how close everything came, that I needed to do this without delaying any further."

Looking Ahnasha straight in the eyes, Fendros took both of Ahnasha's hands. "Ahna, you've been the least expected and most wonderful woman I have ever known. We have been through the best and worst moments of our lives together, and even after all this time, you still have that competitive spirit and determination that I love. I would like to continue sharing my life with you. So, for fear prattling on...would you marry me?"