Janius chuckled to himself. Now he remembered why Julan was in such a good mood returning to them that day. "See? You'll be meeting all sorts of people, Aurana."

Aurana had a small smile now. She flashed her teeth with a single, silent laugh. "That sounds like fun, actually. I'd love to make some friends." She closed her lips. "I do not know how much I would have in common with Fighters Guild people, but I'm willing to try."

"Do not forget, Aurana, this goes two ways." Remus lowered his hands. His eyes were narrow and his voice deep. "If you wish to see the Imperial City, let alone the world, you will work hard for it. I will only grant you privileges, such as leaving the house, when I feel you are capable. The difference from before will be that you shall have opportunities to prove yourself. Do you understand?"

Aurana gave a confident nod. "I can do it, I promise."

"Thank you, father, for listening to us," Janius said. "It might be easier for Aurana; she was more ambitious than I ever was at her age. Well, perhaps because she has an ambition to begin with."

Remus only responded to Janius with a glance. His attention remained on Aurana. "The Fighters Guild will not be your only challenge. See to it that you remember this promise you've made to me and your mother."

That moment was the point where Aeramina pursed her lips and blinked rapidly. "Remus, dear...You won't let her get hurt, will you?" When Remus did not respond, Aeramina glanced around to the others. "She will be okay?"

[hr]
Lunise fell into the bubble from Meesei's tug, bending her knees to land as she fell into the more buoyant air. Her hair was now flat and soaked, though both of them were dripping from their swim. Once she stood up straight, Lunise found just enough room to look down on Meesei with her arms still crossed.

The way sound sank in the pocket of air was strange. Lunise found herself looking at the surface of the bubble with curiosity. Or perhaps it was merely to avoid eye contact.

"You are a gifted mage for an Argonian, Meesei, but do not speak to me as if I am your talented neophyte." She held her chin forward and looked into Meesei's eyes. "I held back. I could best you another time." She sniffed and looked away. "Still. You put up a more interesting bout than most of my peers. They are more fixated on raw power no matter where they use magic."

Lunise took a tiny step back in the soft sand.