The walk to the castle was so tense that Aurana was too scared to even ask Ahnasha and Fendros their names. Rhazii, however seemed a bit more chipper than his imminent unknown punishment would suggest. He tried walking alongside Jatinha and giving her a smile. What followed was a slow conversation where Rhazii tried asking Jatinha more about what she did, only to reveal that most of her jobs were household chores. The same question in response was Rhazii nervously describing that he travelled and hunted with his family, keeping the rest secret. In spite of being virtually from other worlds, they both managed to make their lives sound boring to one another. Still, Rhazii did not part off during the walk, whether the silence made him more nervous or whether he had another reason was not completely clear.

The group soon found themselves back at the keep. Aurana was very grateful to sit in front of the fire and warm her aching fingers. Fendros was content with sitting at a nearby table with Rhazii, making sure he understood the full story before passing judgement on the boys. All the parents would have a say, and Janius' was the least certain at that moment. Jatinha stood near the door with one hand clasped in the other, looking worried. Even with Rhazii beckoning her to sit with them, she raised a hand and shook her head. She was standing as she had been in the Aetius' sitting room, Rhazii noticed. Perhaps it was a habit.

Julan was the first to ask a question. Aurana glanced at Janius, then to the fire. She started quietly and gained confidence. "They said that you did not listen to them. They get sad, but angry when they talk about you. Or, at least father does. Mother just stays in her bubble and pretends nothing is wrong." She wiped her eye. "Father said that he got you into the fighters guild because you were not doing anything else. You got overconfident, or you were always like that, he changes between them, I don't know. And you were on a mission to clear out a bear cave when you didn't come back. They went looking for you after a while. They found the spider cave, but not any recognisable bodies or equipment. They took what they thought was your corpse and buried it. You have a headstone with your name on it in the family grave sight. I saw it myself, when I sneaked out once." She swallowed nervously. "That's just about everything I have been told. There are still pictures of you on the walls. And Harald the butler and Renault, by teacher, they know more about you."

Janius, sitting on a chair near to Aurana and Julan, listened on, leaning his knuckles on his brow. "So those coots are still alive, are they?" His shoulders jumped in a humour-deprived laugh. "What about Wanda?"

Aurana turned her head to Janius. "The old maid? Um..." Her eyes fell. "I do not remember much about her. She retired when I was six years old. She died a few years after that." Aurana held her head up to spot Jatinha at the door. "Jatinha replaced her."

"Oh, I see," Janius said. It was hard to tell if he was crestfallen in his already low state.

"...Are you alright?" Aurana asked.

Janius opened his eyes, looking more serious. He breathed in and straightened his back. "I think we had better work out more recent matters first. Kaj-Julan? You and Rhazii went out to bathe in the canal and happened upon Aurana, correct? Or did she find you? How exactly did you work out that you were aunt and nephew?"

Rhazii and Julan's parents had traced their scent to the Aetius manor. Janius did not want to give that away unless the stories and evidence contradicted, which they likely would.