Fendros was somewhat annoyed that the boys had gone off on their own somewhere, but he was the only one thinking negatively of it when Rhazii and Julan were not found in the dining rooms. Everyone assumed that they were exploring the castle somewhere. They left their drinks or took them with them while they searched around. The thought of relaxing for the night was slowly worn out over time. It was replaced with concern. Even broadening their search showed neither hide nor hair of the boys.

Their concern escalated to the point where they began to question the guards on watch. They agreed to split and meet up back in the dining room once they were done. Kaleeth, Ahnasha, and Janius had no luck when they arrived back. Fendros was the last to return with a mask of restrained anger on his face.

"I just spoke with the guards at the gates," he said. "They directed me to the men they took over from in their watch. They saw Rhazii and Julan leave the castle."

[hr]
Remus stood over Julan without shifting a muscle. As Julan's descriptions went on, and as the information became more pertinent and detailed, Remus turned his head slightly. He began to show less stony sureness in his face, instead letting his brow tense ever so slightly. After a minute, he backed into a chair to listen to the rest of what Julan had to say. By this time, Aeramina had taken her own seat on a couch and Jatinha had served her a cup of tea as well.

When Julan finished, Remus sat forward with his fingers woven and held up to his mouth. His eyes bored holes into the wall behind Julan. He did not speak.

"It seems to me that he knows quite an account of our Janius, dear," Aeramina finally spoke. Her voice was poised and matter-of-fact, as if Janius was not her dead son at all. "What course of action shall we take?"

"You young men have made your case." Remus lowered his hands from his lips and stood up. "Kaj-Julan, that was your name?" He looked at Julan and spoke without the intimidation he previously held. "We are heading to court tomorrow morning. If Janius is truly still alive, you will show him to us when we arrive in the main courtyard. Harald? Show our guests out, if you please."

"Of course, sir." Harald stepped forward, half-turned and gestured low towards the archway through which they had arrived.