Everyone collected outside the temple as their gathering was coming to a close, apart from Lorag. He had left the temple shortly before, and without explanation. Meesei could have confronted him, but she expected that he would end up back in their camp eventually. In the meantime, Meesei found herself surprised by Calia's sudden request. "You do? It is...irregular for anyone to actually desire to see that. Are you sure?"

"We talked about it earlier, Meesei. We can just go somewhere isolated on the way back to the vineyard, it should not take too long." Ahnasha interjected.

---

With Meesei's agreement the rest of the group had headed off out of the city and towards the vineyard. However, before reaching the Avarul family home, the group took a detour off into the forest. Meesei remained attentive to their surroundings, but there was nothing to suggest that anyone was near close enough to witness anything incriminating.

Meesei still had her gaze back in the direction of the road as they came to a stop. "So which of us shall transform?" She asked.

Ahnasha stepped forward into the clearest spot she could find. "I'll do it." She answered as she began to untie some of the strings on her dress. Modesty was not something that tended to cross Ahnasha's mind, though it was of course not relevant to Calia at the moment. Although, Llarasa and Monderyn could see her, including the very prominent scars across her torso that she had received from her torture in Black Marsh.

Regardless, Ahnasha did not wait long before beginning her transformation. She would not be aware of the reactions of Fendros' family while she was transforming, but she took care to seem as unintimidating as possible once she was in full control once again, as difficult as that would be for a werewolf.

The desire to witness a transformation was exclusively Calia's. As such, Monderyn and Llarasa went along with tension in their demeanour. Monderyn had seen Fendros as a werewolf before and did not have any plans to see it again. Llarasa merely had a fear of the unknown.

When Ahnasha removed her dress, Monderyn looked away politely, but Llarasa brought her fingers to her mouth, staring with silent horror at the scars. The horror only continued when Ahnasha began to transform. Llarasa stepped back and held on tightly to Monderyn's arm. Monderyn was trying to put on a strong face, but could not compete with the stony expression on Calia.

Of course, Calia could not see a thing with her damaged eyes, but not even the gruesome sounds of the transformation, the low, growling breathing of Ahnasha's werewolf form, nor her children cowering made her waver. By the time Ahnasha was fully transformed, Calia softly asked, "May I see you now?"

Fendros took Calia's arm. "Wait a moment," he said, looking at Ahnasha to make sure she was aware and in control. After a few moments, he nodded to his mother. "Come forward, carefully."

Fendros then took slow steps forward, guiding Calia towards Ahnasha. Once Ahnasha was used to Calia's smell and kept comfortable by Fendros', Fendros lifted Calia's hands to gently feel at Ahnasha's transformed face.

Ahnasha slowly rose herself up onto her hind legs as she finished her transformation. In this form, she towered over all of the others, which, in addition to her sharp teeth, long claws, and distinctly muscular physique, made it rather difficult for her to make herself less intimidating. She was not the largest of lycans, but even so, was still likely the largest, most threatening predator that either Llarasa or Monderyn had seen alive, in person. Calia did not seem phased in the slightest, perhaps because of her inability to see her, but Ahnasha was worried about the perception of Fendros' siblings. And the caution with which Fendros was suddenly treating Ahnasha was not helping.

"Don't worry...husband. I'm perfectly fine. Perfectly in control." Ahnasha said in her deeper, gravelly voice. "No need to treat me like a stranger's dog."

Ahnasha largely ignored Fendros' obvious efforts to ensure she was calm and simply leaned in her head towards Calia to allow her to feel of her head and body as much as she wished. There would, obviously, be no doubt in what she was, and she did not expect too much more skepticism from Calia on their story

Ahnasha waited for as long as required for Calia to finish observing her. However, Ahnasha spent most of the time being worried about Llarasa and Monderyn. She could see the fear in their expressions, whether it be fear of what Ahnasha had revealed herself to be, or simple surprise, she did not like that they viewed her as something threatening to them. It was perfectly understandable that they would look at a lycanthrope with such trepidation, but Ahnasha still wanted to do something about it. Unfortunately, Ahnasha had few options. She could not laugh in any recognizable way, she could do little to change her voice, and could not make herself appear less "powerful." She had to be creative if she wanted to shift the mood. She could not make herself seem more normal, but she could take advantage of her canine features.

Turning her head towards Fendros, Ahnasha cocked her head to the side slightly, then suddenly leaned her head forward and licked his face straight up from his chin to his forehead.

"I know, Ahna," Fendros laughed. "I'm just making sure mother doesn't get startled."

Calia shot back immediately, "I am blind, Fendros, not deaf."

Similarly to before, Calia began her careful ministrations on and around Ahnasha's face to visualise her. Calia looked fascinated, but still surprisingly calm about the whole ordeal compared to Monderyn and Llarasa.

"What an amazing creature you are," Calia commented. She padded her hands over Ahnasha's shoulders to get a sense of her size. "Yes, this is like the corpse we found when we first searched for Fendros. Alive, of course, but...I do not believe I have any further reason to doubt you, Ahnasha."

The lick caused Fendros to scrunch up his face in surprise and stay that way for a second. It had been a while since Ahnasha had done that. Those in the pack smiled, while Llarasa's fear started to give way to curiosity.

"Not too in control to be playful, hm?" Fendros said, wiping his eyes. "Come here, my lovely wife." He stepped up, letting go of Calia and bringing his hand up to scratch behind Ahnasha's ear.

Hopefully Ahnasha's continued sapience and friendliness would reduce Llarasa's fear further. However, Monderyn's first impression with Fendros' form would make him harder to convince.

"I know exactly what I'm doing." Ahnasha responded to Fendros, tilting her head towards him. Overall, she felt to be in a good mood. Calia's fearlessness spoke of some trust for her and the pack. Ahnasha was undeniably dangerous in this form, so some amount of trust was mandatory in order to be comfortable in the presence of a werewolf.

Since Ahnasha's beast spirit would be reluctant to transform back so quickly, Ahnasha decided to give a bit more information. "The amount of control a lycan has really depends on a lot of things. Training, experience, how recently we have fed. Our beast spirits, the part of us that comes from Hircine, they hunger to hunt. Some myths say we have to eat other people to sate them, but that is not true. Any animal will do, if it's enough of a challenge to hunt. The only other time we would lose control is if both moons are full. When that happens, we must hunt. We always plan carefully around those days. Only Meesei is the exception, because of her Ring. It gives her perfect control, so she can transform whenever and however often she wants."

After her explanation, Ahnasha looked particularly towards Llarasa. She did not do anything just yet, but she wanted to see how Llarasa would react to merely having her attention. If she was becoming less afraid, Ahnasha might approach closer.

The contents of Ahnasha's explanation did not allay Llarasa's fears as much as the fact that Ahnasha was speaking just as she would in her Khajiit form. There was necessarily a deep, lisping distortion to speaking through a large wolf snout, but Ahnasha's inflections identified her.

Unlike Monderyn, who was content to stand in place, Llarasa took a careful step closer to Ahnasha, and then another. "You're huge," Llarasa stated, for lack of anything else to describe her. Her face was still astonished. "You say there are those like this that...lose control? They act like beasts, like the one that attacked Fendros?"

Fendros smiled and nodded to Llarasa. "If you think Ahna's big, you should see Kaleeth."

Llarasa's eyes widened and she gave Kaleeth a sideways look. She had just spent a great deal of time socialising with the gentle and kind Kaleeth. Imagining her as a larger beast than the werewolf before her was a small shock in itself.

With the tension beginning to pass, Rhazii ran up to Ahnasha's leg without even a trace of fear. "Can I ride on your shoulders, mama?"

Ahnasha looked down to Rhazii and scooped him up in one arm. "Well, we're not going anywhere, but you can come up." She answered, raising him high enough that he could climb up on her shoulders.

Refocusing on Llarasa, Ahnasha felt free to move around more, since she no longer had to worry quite as much about intimidating the others. She moved forward, allowing Rhazii to look almost straight down onto Llarasa. "There are some lycans who are little more than animals. Can't separate the beast from themselves. They are very dangerous, and you'd be right to be afraid of them. But, anyone can learn control with enough time and patience. Lycans without control are usually ones without packs. Some kinds of lycans do have harder times learning control than others, though. Kaleeth had some trouble, and she is the largest and strongest of all of us. That was a bit frightening, even for us. Luckily, Janius has a way of calming her down."

"I'm a werecrocodile." Kaleeth added. "Crocodiles don't live in packs, so it was harder for me to get used to it."

---

Back inside Cheydinhal, at the hovel which Harriet called her home, there was a knock at the door, which quickly turned into a loud pounding on the door before there had been any chance to answer. Lorag had finally made the decision to pay a visit by himself, though it would be hard to tell what his intentions were, especially since even he was not sure what he was doing there.

Rhazii laughed when Ahnasha scooped him up. He reached with his feet onto Ahnasha's neck and hung onto her with his hands. Llarasa smiled at the sweetness of it. It was hard to be afraid of Ahnasha with a child smiling over her face.

With Ahnasha and Kaleeth's explanation, Llarasa looked between them with more sympathy than fear. "It sounds like a horrid experience to be out of control. Lonely and hunted." Llarasa smiled at Kaleeth. "You're a were...crocodile, you said? I'm glad you got help, Kaleeth. The same for you, Fendros." Her eyes went to Fendros.

"So am I," Fendros said with his hand on Ahnasha's arm. "I gained more than just help with my lycanthropy."

Calia spoke up at this point, just as comfortable as she was before approaching Ahnasha. "I hope it has not been trouble to display this to be, Ahnasha. Thank you, everyone, for indulging my curiosity."

"Mother, might we head back to the farm now?" Monderyn did not appear any less tense from the events before him.

---

There were footsteps approaching behind the door before Lorag began his loud knocking.

"Hey! There's a kid sleeping!" Harriet's voice sounded from behind the door. She continued as it opened. "Quit your banging, I'm..."

Harriet only opened the door as far as her eyes. Upon seeing Lorag, her eyes widened in surprise and she paused. It only took a second for them to wander, seeing if any of his pack were nearby. She eventually realised that he came alone and narrowed her eyes.

Her tone became resigned. "What do you want?"

Kaleeth smiled at Llarasa. "Thank you. It was scary at first, but we've found ways to deal with it. Now I just get nervous in cities because of all the little weird things that city people do, instead of me worrying about accidentally eating any of them."

"It is not too much trouble." Ahnasha responded, shaking her head lightly. "Transformations never quite stop being painful, but you do stop being bothered by it after a while. Right now, I scarcely feel any different than you likely do; just more...capable than usual. My beast spirit is more present in my mind, but I have control over it."

When Monderyn mentioned heading back to the farm, Ahnasha gave a look in its direction. "If you do not mind walking through the forest, we could walk back with you. It's on the way to camp anyway. I just can't transform back so soon; my beast spirit would not be keen on that. I could force it, but it would not be that pleasant."

---

For all that had been going through Lorag's mind leading up to him knocking on the door, he ended up almost freezing in thought when Harriet immediately opened with a question he did not know how to answer. Regardless, after a few seconds of just staring at her, he did manage to at least say something.

"I want to know how you're lyin' to me. I want to know whose kid that is." Lorag demanded.

Monderyn hesitated, which gave Calia an opportunity to answer for him. "If you are comfortable doing so, it would be a pleasure," she said. "If my husband finds us at the edge of the vineyard, I will make sure that he does not misbehave. Oh, and Monderyn?" Calia turned her head to one side. "You needn't be afraid of Ahnasha, she is family now."

"Yes mother," Monderyn said with a frown.

With that, Fendros stooped to pick up Ahnasha's clothing and took Calia's arm to lead her through the forest. Everyone else followed along, though Newt demanded that he was piggy-backed by Janius upon seeing how much fun Rhazii was having. Janius had him settle for asking nicely before carrying him.

Llarasa continued speaking with Ahnasha, walking beside her. "Seeing you in control, just like you were before, I admit I'm a bit jealous. I've never been very strong."

---

Harriet's brow lowered at Lorag and she turned her head slightly. She shook her head and responded slowly. "Lorag, it's your kid. I didn't screw anyone else for a couple a' years before you came along."

Looking to the floor, Harriet curled her upper lip and briefly balled a fist. "Look, if you wanna talk, we can talk inside. If you turn around now and never talk to me again, I won't give a shit."

Ahnasha was genuinely amused at Llarasa's comment. She could not laugh in any recognizable way, but she did give a distinctly non-threatening grunt. "I think that is the first time I have heard of anyone being jealous of a lycan. Well, anyone other than me before I turned. It is a burden, of that there is no doubt. It can destroy a person if they try to deal with it alone. But, I would not change what I am. It makes us into the perfect hunters, suitable for Hircine's domain. Even in our normal forms, our strength and senses are enhanced beyond that of a normal person. If you want to have a short weightlifting competition, Monderyn, I could demonstrate."

Shortly after mentioning him, Ahnasha looked to Monderyn, and after a brief delay, continued more seriously. "How are you feeling, Monderyn?"

---

"I don't even know why I bothered coming here." Lorag snapped back, being perhaps the most truthful thing he had said so far. He looked away for a few moments and considered just leaving before deciding to continue. He would go inside if she did, but he was not about to rush through the door.

"Look, let's just pretend I really am the father for a second. I didn't want a kid, didn't ask for it, didn't pick a spoiled potion. But if she's my blood, then she's my blood. I want to know she's bein' raised like she should be." Lorag said firmly.

Monderyn's didn't even turn around. His answer was predictable, given his previous experience. "I don't doubt your abilities. Having me participate in a competition will not prove much more."

Monderyn's flat tone was changed to a higher one in response to Ahnasha's next question. "How do I feel? I feel..." His hand jerked up and itched at his ear before jerking down again. His pause was punctuated by sharp exhale. "I am getting used to things, that's all."

Fendros looked on with concern. "Your do not have to be afraid, Monderyn," he said. "Ahnasha is in..."

"I know! I am not afraid, I'm just..." Monderyn stopped himself, gave Calia a glance, took a breath, and continued. "I am fine."

---

Harriet waited until Lorag was sure of staying, before nodding backwards and stepping aside for him to enter. She closed the door gently behind them.

"That it, huh?" Harriet responded as she took a seat in a chair on the lower floor and waited for Lorag to do the same. She spread an arm to gesture around her. "I don't know what you expect, but I couldn't exactly afford my own stronghold. This is all I got."

Harriet turned her arm to lean her forehead on her fingers. "To be honest, I've been mostly making this up as I go along."

Ahnasha stepped slightly ahead so she could look over to Monderyn. Again, she could not give any kind of normal, reassuring expression, so she had to settle for focusing on what she said, instead of how she said it. "Think about it this way, I am now your friend. A member of your family. Someone who is willing to help you when you need it. If you are ever in trouble and need help, then there are lycans who would do so just because we asked them to. You would probably be surprised at how many allies you now have in the world, with your connection to us."

---

Lorag did not take a seat, instead just standing with his arms crossed and staring down Harriet. "I don't care about your house. An Orc can be raised under a bunch of sticks and leaves and be stronger for it. You don't even need any other Orcs to raise a child right, you just need to be strong yourself. And you need to have the mind to be able to pass that on. So assuming that you're not lyin' through your teeth and that girl really is mine...well, I'm not gonna let any blood of mine be raised like some dainty Elf. I want to know she's bein' raised like an Orc should be."

The word 'family' caused Monderyn to clench his fists so tightly that he looked like he would draw blood from his palms at any second. He barely kept back his temper by the time Ahnasha finished speaking. Whether it was fear or personal moderation, he did not raise his voice in the end. He merely avoided eye contact with Ahnasha and spoke through grit teeth.

"An army of lycans couldn't repair this family, Ahnasha."

"Monderyn!" Calia cut through them both with her firm voice. "You will cease this rude behaviour!"

Monderyn's shoulders lifted a finger's width in surprise. After another second, he lifted his forearm and shot back. "How are you suddenly so happy with everything, mother? A day ago, you were just as miserable as you have been for four years! Now father has disowned Fendros and you're following along with all this as if that never happened? How could things improve from here? Things have gotten worse and they continue to get worse!"

"That is where you are wrong, my son." Calia answered with a calm assertiveness. It was a tone that even rivalled Meesei's authority. "Tradition is important. No one knows that better than your father. I, however, know something better than anyone present here, including you. We can choose to heal." Calia's face was just as severe, but her voice lowered. "Your brother is alive. I have not wished for something harder in my long years on Nirn than that. If the payment for that is that he has been lost to something as ephemeral as our traditions, I would pay it ten times over."

Monderyn's eyes flicked between Calia and Fendros. "And what if father doesn't?" Monderyn asked. "Will we just...have to live with a wall being between him and Fendros? How long do we pretend before we have to pick a side, hm?"

Calia knew her response in barely half a heartbeat. "You may be young, Monderyn, but you are not your father. You need not hide in his shadow like you hid behind Fendros' before."

Partly angered, partly confused, Monderyn lowered his brow and didn't say anything.

"Monderyn," Llarasa's quite voice chimed in. "Things will get better. I know it."

Monderyn looked ahead, still without an answer.

---

Harriet regarded Lorag from under a raised brow where she was seated. She shrugged and quickly shook her head. "I don't know what you want me to say," she complained. "I keep her in line, she stands up for herself with the other kids -- even if I gotta pull her away so she don't infect 'em -- she's for sure not gonna grow up without knowin' how to hunt and fight. Shit, I'm doin' the best with what I got." Harriet raised her hands in a fluster. "What, are you offerin' to do it for me or somethin'?"

"How long do you think it could last?" Ahnasha finally chimed in. She had seen that Monderyn had been distant for most of the ceremony, though she was not sure how to approach him until now. As she might have expected, it was concern and uncertainty that seemed to trouble him the most, so the most effective way to deal with that would likely be actual, realistic answers.

"You, your mother, your sister, and even your local priest all seem to be of the same mind on this issue. But your father stands alone. Now, I do not know him even remotely as well as all of you, of course, but I do know people. I was raised to be able to read people, to understand them. And people do not like to be alone. For how long will he be able to denounce Fendros with no one supporting him? He is a Dunmer, and therefore patient, but even Elven patience is not eternal. How many nights will he have lying in bed thinking on the son he used to have? How many dreams will he have to remind him before the thoughts of his family weigh too heavily on him? In a group, people can validate their opinions with one another, but if your father has no one to agree with him, I don't think it will last forever. Eventually, he will find an excuse to speak with Fendros again." Ahnasha said, looking to Monderyn with confidence.

---

Lorag kept his arms firmly crossed, his whole body unconsciously taking on a defensive posture. "That girl ain't my responsibility. She's gonna stay with you, unless you turn traitor again or somethin'. I just came here to make sure you were doin' it right. You've got to be out of practice by now, but I guess you can teach the girl something 'bout how to fight. I don't care that much, but..."

Lorag let out a sigh, lowering his guard at least somewhat as he finally brought himself to look Harriet in the eye. "Look, the city's nothing compared to the wilds, but it's got some decent options. My mother ran the Fighter's guild here back before I turned. Don't know if she still does, or if she's even alive, but if she chose her successor herself, then they'll still be tough. They'll train kids once they're old enough for gold or labor. Oh, and there's been skooma traders working out of the city's east neighborhoods for as long as anyone can remember. Keep her away from those. Oh, and let her learn magic if she wants; just don't let her go anywhere near those 'College of Whispers' idiots. Politicians is all they are. There's this older Dunmer that works for the Fighter's Guild. Mostly just does paperwork, but he teaches magic on the side, and he's decent for an elf."

"I do not share your optimism," Monderyn mumbled. "I just...want things to be how they were, without all the resentment and..." He trailed off and sighed.

Finally, Fendros decided to speak again. He approached Monderyn and put an arm around his shoulders. "I wish I could say that I can, brother." He squeezed him close to reassure him. "But that's...I can't. Things have changed and they are unlikely to revert. It has been great to see you, Llarasa, and mother again. I am grateful that you've been supportive. Unfortunately, that's all we can really do at this point."

Fendros held his head forward to see Monderyn's lowering face. "I heard about how things were for you and Llarasa after I left. I can tell you right now that it will not be as bad as that ever again."

Llarasa stepped closer and smiled in agreement.

"This family will stay united, Monderyn," Calia added.

Eventually, Monderyn breathed in carefully and spoke with a sad twinge. "Can't you just stay? Just for a few more days?"

Fendros' smile shrunk and he looked up to the others. He already knew the answer that Meesei and Ahnasha would give, even if he wished it otherwise.

---

Harriet snorted when Lorag claimed that she was out of practice, but she paid attention to the rest of his words. It wasn't what she had expected, as evidenced by the growing surprise in her face.

Partway through Lorag's explanation, Harriet's eyes wandered to a spot behind him. The cause of the distraction became apparent when Lorag heard a quick patter of bare feet run up to Harriet's leg. "Hey there, pup," Harriet greeted.

Narsi was just as small and curious as when Lorag saw her before. She wore a simple cloth night gown and focussed her big eyes on Lorag without breaking contact, even when Harriet leaned forward and picked her up onto her lap. "Mommy, is this a man from before who came with the important lady?"

"Uh, yeah," Harriet said gently. She looked up to Lorag as well. "Narsi, why don't you say hello to Lorag here? He's makin' sure mommy takes good care of you."

"Hello," Narsi said, lifting a short green arm to wave.

Meesei spoke up to spare Ahnasha or Fendros from having to give an answer. "Unfortunately, we have spent as much time as we can spare here. We can stay the night, but we need to leave in the morning. Our business in Black Marsh cannot be delayed too much longer." She explained.

The group was starting to get close to the vineyard, based on the distance they had traveled so far. Ahnasha wanted to stay with Fendros' family for longer, certainly, but she saw some obvious complications with that plan. "I certainly would want to stay with you all for as long as possible in the time we have left, but...that would require us to be at the vineyard with you. I...well I would not know as much as you if that would be a good idea or not."

---

"Uh, yeah, hey." Lorag responded with something approaching nervousness, giving only a passing glance to Narsi. Despite the fact that he had went through the trouble of coming to Harriet's house to begin with, he did not want to get close to Narsi in any sense, and he certainly didn't want her knowing that he was her father.

"Just, uh, remember all that. And, uh, if she wants to when she's older, make sure she knows she's not exiled from the clans or anything. It's better for our kind there than in places like this." Lorag added.

"I'm sorry, Monderyn," Fendros said. "This is all the time we have."

Monderyn nodded slowly. His sad frown did not face away from the ground, but he had no more protests.

"Where are you all staying tonight?" Calia spoke up out of nowhere.

Fendros turned his head. "Oh, we're camped in the forest. You don't have to give us accommodation, mother."

Calia shook her head. "That is not what I intend. Are you eating well tonight?"

"It's just...some meats we've hunted recently." Fendros was apprehensive, thinking back to the food that Ariel had made for them before. He didn't want to imagine his blind mother carrying enough food for all of them through the forest.

"It's settled. We shall dine at the tavern." Once again, Calia spoke without even hinting at negotiation. "I will pay for all of you. It will not do to have a wedding without a feast, and I would give Rossarm one last chance to take back what he said before you leave."

Fendros looked around to the others and let out an overwhelmed huff. "I...I don't know what to say..." Habitually, he looked to Meesei. "Would that be appropriate?"

---

"I'll remember, thanks," Harriet said. She began to preen at Narsi's shoulder-length black hair. Narsi kept staring at Lorag.

"Actually, I was plannin' on taking her to Bruma 'soon as she started lookin' at boys too closely," Harriet added. Her eyes peered up from Narsi's hair. "I mean, not to force her on you or anything, just to get her a pack. And a life. But...if you don't want to deal with that, I could find another clan for her."

This time, Meesei expected that her answer would be a bit more well-received. “Of course. We will be staying here for the night regardless, so it does not matter what we do before tomorrow. The largest question would be if you would like to have your dinner only with Fendros, Ahnasha, and Rhazii, or if you wish for all of us to join. I would not wish to impart the financial burden of a meal for all of us solely onto you. I could at least offer to pay for any…excesses ordered by any members of my pack, such as if Lorag decides to drink. Or, more accurately, ‘when.’”

By this point, the group had reached the edge of the vineyard, though they were still obscured from view by the forest. Ahnasha in particular was making sure to stay out of sight. “It looks like the vineyard is just ahead. It should not be too much longer before I can transform back comfortably, but I’m guessing I should probably stay hidden for now. I don’t quite remember how visible your home is from the road.”

---

Lorag rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh, yeah, we’re not in Bruma anymore. Left that Ayleid ruin behind. Remember that poison gas Alpha mentioned? Yeah, we didn’t want to be anywhere the enemy knew about. Found a better place, though, somewhere else. Not saying where, but it’s not close to Bruma. If she ever wants a pack, you can just tell whoever Alpha brings here to put in contact with you. Don’t think any clan would turn her away or anything.” Lorag explained. “Oh, and if Vile’s people ever do come here, just get out. Don’t care how tough you think you are, you can’t fight the air.”

Calia gave Meesei a reassuring smile. "All of you may come along. This is a wedding celebration, I am sure the excesses will not be too dear."

Now that they were close enough to the vineyard Calia turned around and requested Llarasa bring her in front of the others. "We shall meet you later tonight at the tavern then. Let us all have some time to reorganise and then enjoy what time we have left."

"Very well. Thank you, mother." Fendros stepped forward to hug his siblings and Calia. "We will see you tonight. Thank you again for coming." Fendros stepped back and put an arm behind Ahnasha's back, even if she was too large in her form to span his arm around. "It means a lot to us."

Various farewells were given over the space of several minutes between Fendros' family and his pack. Rhazii elicited a surprised smile from Calia upon referring to her as 'grandmother,' but otherwise nothing put so much as a chink in Calia's armour-plated poise.

The time soon came to head back to the campsite. It was about time that the children had a rest if they wished to join them for dinner. On the way back, Fendros kept casting smiles Ahnasha's way, but appeared less elated than he had been after the wedding. A few predictable things were on his mind.

---

"Oh, okay," Harriet said, failing to hide disappointment. "Makes sense."

A couple of silent moments passed. "So, uh...any more tips? I don't have any drink around the house, so I don't really have an excuse to keep you 'round any longer than you want."