Ahnasha was actually fairly confused when Fendros' shouting stopped, coupled with his words. She was not entirely sure what kind of point he was trying to make to her. "What are you talking about? I'm not 'being' like anything; I'm the same as I've always been. I'm just as devoted to ending this war as ever. Just as devoted to you and Rhazii. I'm not going to pretend that it is easy or something that I want to do, but it's what I need to do. Like I said, it wasn't about the girl; it was about her father. I didn't hurt the girl, not really. You have to understand, pain...pain doesn't matter. I have had to pour months and years into studying all aspects of the body for my research, so I know that pain is just a way for the body to tell the mind that it is in trouble. Pain itself doesn't do anything. The place I put the knife, it was a flesh wound. Ran it between the tendons, avoided the bone. Not even a chance of permanent harm. It's not going to give her nightmares or traumatize her; you're overreacting. I just used some temporary pain to learn something that could do some permanent good in this area. That's all."

Stepping forward, Ahnasha grabbed a hold of Fendros' hand tenderly with a far softer expression than the anger that had preceded it. "Nothing about me has changed. I just want what's best for the clans, and ultimately for us. Everything I have done, all of the fighting, all of my research and soul gathering, all of the missions I have been a part of, it's all been for you Fendros. Because I love you."

---

Sabine and those she had brought with her had recovered the letter they had sought to find, but Malithus was handling it for now, leaving Sabine to do as she pleased. Kaleeth had remained in her werecrocodile form, just in case it was still needed for any reason, such as moving the wagon again. As it happened, she gone for a swim in the lake during the interrogation to try to help keep her beast spirit placated, so she had not heard the scream entirely clearly under the water. She noticed some discomfort among the members of Malithus' pack, but she had not taken the time to ask them about it. 

Naturally, Kaleeth was entirely confused when Sabine came running up to her in tears to hug her. She placed her massive hand on Sabine's back and looked down on her with the closest expression to concern that she could currently produce. "What's...wrong?"