"Alright." Janius looked down and over to the fire. After takinga fresh breath, he spoke with a trace more certainty to Aurana. "You know, if this is at least half as strange for you as it is for me, Aurana, I should at least make the effort." He tightened his lips and turned his eyes to her. "I should introduce everyone. You have met my son, Kaj-Julan..." Janius gestured around the dining room. "This is Kaleeth-Rei, my beloved. Ahnasha, Fendros, Rhazii's parents. Of course, you've met Rhazii as well."

Aurana gave a nervous smile and wave to each. Fendros raised a hand and nodded to greet her back.

"There is also Meesei and Lorag, which you may or may not meet. These all make up my...well, for lack of a better way to describe it, my family. We travel Tamriel. I...cannot say much more about what we do, unfortunately."

"So, you are with the...Penitus Oculatus, like Julan said?"

"They are involved, yes." Janius weaved his fingers together. He sighed and shook his head. "Honestly, I did not expect to meet my sister tonight. I never knew I had one. I suppose my first question, off the top of my head, would be the same as Julan's. Why do mother and father keep you confined?"

The more relaxed tone had a noticeable effect on Aurana's previously stilted nerves. "Ah, well, they like to deflect that question, normally." She pushed one side of her hair back, looking at the fire again. "The only time I really got close to a solid answer was when mother was emotional one night. She said something like I shouldn't run off if I'm just going to die like you did."

Janius peered down and gave a few small nods. "Right," he said quietly. "And father?"

Aurana paused and shrugged. "I think he thinks the same. He does not suffer to argue with me about it. He just keeps me locked in. No words."

Apart from a short hum, Janius was silent. He stared into the glowing fire, tapping his thumb rapidly on his other hand, troubled.