Pierette curled her lips and placed her palms on the table. "Well, I will trust your judgement, champion. If she is in debt to her city, you might bring her a down-payment with you so she can negotiate with her creditors." Pierette sighed. She did not sound especially sure of her words. "If she is lucky, they might allow her to leave for a time, but I cannot see it being easy."

Sabine murmured just loud enough to be heard. "She will be away from Rukeewei for a long time. If she agrees."

"Will you need to carry a significant sum, Meesei?" Vera asked. "We are on a tight budget after moving. We have only just established our crops. If we will not be left enough to purchase food if they fail, the risk may be too great."

"We have other treasures than gold," Darahil suggested before Meesei could answer. "Soul gems, ingredients she would pay great amounts for in her climate, artefacts. We need not send a wagon of coins."

[hr]
Janius' smile turned down as he tilted his head. "Curious," he remarked. "I've never heard of a clan werewolf who wasn't in a pack." Janius moved his arm from the back of the bench around to hold his mug in both hands. "You make it sound like you were groomed for a leadership position. Are you related to your predecessor? What was growing up like for you?"