"Oh, Llarasa is quite good at covering her tracks," Fendros assured. "Monderyn and I made sure of that after stealing her journal over and over when we were children." Fendros let out a nervous laugh. "Even if they were found, keeping in touch with some far-flung Dunmer friend is unlikely to raise eyebrows."

As for his reasoning, Fendros waved his arms low in a half-hearted shrug. "Well, you remember when I told you? It was really just trying to escape the possibility of visiting my family in the first place." Fendros looked down at the chest of letters. "I wish I could say I'm still as hopeful about seeing them as I was after I saw how well visiting your family was, but..." He bared his teeth nervously. "The more I think about it, the harder it seems. We've got so much happening at once right now -- going north, the war, raising Rhazii..."

Fendros gestured in the general direction of the chest. "Anyway, I can share any more letters with you, if you like. I have a feeling that Llarasa would like to see some words from you." Fendros lifted his face to give Ahnasha an encouraging smile. He hoped that the subject of a Cheydinhal visit would not be pursued, however inevitable it was.

[hr]
Janius' eyes widened despite his smile. "What? Now?" He helped Kaleeth up with one hand anyway. He let out a laugh that was just as much out of amusement as it was staving off anxiety. "Alright, just..." Janius suddenly pulled on Kaleeth's hand and leaned forward to peck a kiss on her snout. On his way stepping back, he let her hand go, held his head forward, and smiled. His voice took a lower pitch. "...Try to keep up."

Before they began, Janius slid off his shirt and laid it to one side. Then, raising his curled hands, he began to bounce his heels up and down in place and assume a fighting stance. Knowing Kaleeth, she would probably lash out and try to throw him to the ground. He was ready to sidestep at a moment's notice.

"Ohoho, don't get too cocky, Janius. I've got five on you!" One spectator shouted.

The Redguard that previously fought looked over some shoulders with wads of linen stemming his bleeding nose. "Don't bake be fight you to get by bet back, Kaleeth!"