Calia listened on, not so much as parting her lips to interrupt. There was little for her to do but bow her head in thought when Ahnasha finished. She sighed. As much as she would rather object, nothing Ahnasha said was a lie, she could tell.

"You have spoken eloquently...Ahnasha," Calia admitted. "Only a loving mother could know what you know. For seeing my son again, I am most grateful." Her expression became pained, but she swallowed it away. "I cannot ask you to be gone from Fendros' life. That much is obvious. I hope you understand, however..." Calia lowered her brow. "You have done Fendros a cruelty. He will outlive both you and the child. You bear the fault for that as..."

"No. She doesn't." Fendros interrupted with a similar expression to Calia. "I knew what this meant from the start, Mother. We have talked about it between us. I may be young, but I am sure about this."

Calia shut her eyes while she responded. "This is not about your decision, Fendros, this is about hers." She opened one up hand to Fendros. "You say that she is not like those in the slave cages? She will prove her wisdom, then." Calia opened her eyes again. "Ahnasha, you could imagine your child making a decision that goes against what you believe. You know of your lifespan and what it means for Fendros to marry outside of his race. What do you have to say for yourself?"

[hr]
"Well..." Harriet hesitated and gave Meesei a sincere look. "Tell him I'm sorry. I won't go soft on him, but I owe him that much at least."

With that, Harriet looked around and scuffed her heel on the wooden floor. "Is that everything? I...uh, ain't exactly the best hostess. You've probably got places to be."

Janius finally spoke up after remaining on guard this entire time. "Meesei, should I go after Lorag?"