Ariel's face shuddered and she placed her teacup onto the table in front of them with a loud clink. It was just in time before she brought an arm to her mouth and erupted in a brief fit of coughing. The shock may have sent tea down her windpipe.

When it subsided, she grinned and responded. "Ah..ahem, sorry. By Azura, I completely forgot! I remember reading that they wanted to get married." She stopped to cough once more into her arm and clear her throat. "So that finally happened? Where did they have the ceremony?"

"Cheydinhal," Sabine answered. She had been stifling her laughter from Ariel's surprise.

"Of course," Ariel said. "That must have been why you had a pleasant- of course! Oh, I have to hear all about it now." She placed an arm on Sabine's forearm. "You two mustn't spare any details."

Sabine angled her head and smiled, looking into her tea. "It was romantic. The ceremony involved ash. The priest was nice and the vows were beautiful." Sabine's eyes returned to Ariel. "And we met Fendros' family. His previous family."

Ariel was less excited, but just as curious. "Really? I remember you telling me that Fendros' family was not exactly happy with him, or was that just his brother?"

Sabine cast her mind back. "His sister Llarasa likes him. Monderyn seemed conflicted. His mother Calia was shocked but calmed down and turned friendly, but hard to read. Fendros' father Rossarm was the one we did not meet. He sounded really mean."

"Oh? I take it he didn't react well?" Ariel gave a concerned look to them both.

[hr]
Gallus did not understand a word of Jel, but the uncle's tone made him lower his brow and turn his head slightly. There was a second where Gallus overcame the shock before he slowly turned his head to Cuts to interpret.

Upon hearing the translated words, Gallus' face softened and he looked back at the uncle. "If you are referring to the ones who made her that false deal to go with them, then you should know at once that they are my enemies. Those who accompanied Dar-Tzesa were captured with her and are also dead." Gallus lifted a palm. "I am not here to manipulate anyone. My foremost reason for coming is to recount to Yizan-Lei what happened."