"I have no doubt. I want to hear everything about your journey," Ariel said, still grinning from ear to ear. She walked behind her counter again. "I'll put on some tea for us. One moment."

Before Ariel reached the stairs, she stopped and looked to the two customers who were still confused by the sudden disturbance in the otherwise peaceful shop. Ariel still spoke with accent, but her jel shot out with frightening fluency. [i]"Apologies, ladies. I have not seen my sister for years. Please, if you require anything, I will be down in a moment to finalise any purchases, but I will have to close the shop for a while after that."[/i]

One of the customers appeared overwhelmed, but the other merely smiled. [i]"As you wish, Ariel. I only came in for some skin pigment. I cannot help but browse when so many things have been discounted."[/i]

Several minutes and some customer affairs later, Ariel had closed the shop with a note and was sitting opposite Sabine and Meesei on the floor above the shop, pouring tea for them.

"So, what news from the frozen north?" Ariel asked. "And how was your journey?"

[hr]
The uncle in front of Gallus had a common reaction. Argonians in this city were cordial with strangers at the best of times. Gallus decided to get right to the point.

He pulled the long red feather from his pocket and held it up between his fingers and thumb. His voice was grave. "It is regarding his mother, Dar-Tzesa."