"Master Kaj-Julan, I will show you to where the servants usually take their meals," Harald said. "Please come with me." He confirmed looks with the others.

Janius raised a hand. "You can go ahead and find him, son. We'll start finishing up here. Let Rhazii know that we won't be staying too much longer." He turned to Remus and Aeramina. "It has been wonderful to meet you all again, but we will have work to do tonight. We can stay a little longer, but we will not take up space for too long."

"Understood," Remus said. "Take all the time you desire. You may be guests, but you are still family."

"I'll come with you two!" Aurana briskly walked to catch up with Julan and Harald as they left the dining room.

The sudden exit left Remus and Aeramina alone with Janius and Kaleeth. Aeramina, in a display of quick recovery from her previous emotions, immediately went back into light conversation.

"So, Kaleeth-Rei. Tell us, did you see Imperials often in your home tribe?"

[hr]
Meanwhile, Harald's march through the house with Julan and Aurana did not go upstairs, but instead took them behind the doors of the more decorated house. They came upon a large, if low-ceiling room that contained the kitchen and a rough trestle table.

One portly Suthay-Raht Khajiit man in an apron and white clothing was busy scrubbing discarded plates in a trough. "That you, Harald? His portion is at the end of table. Still some warm, but he always spend too much time serving, yes he does!"

"Duty calls as always Carajjo," Harald responded. "Have you seen Jatinha and her charge, Rhazii?"

Carajjo sniffed at the air. "Hmm, skittered off like alley cats. Didn't see where. Quarters maybe." He raised his head and sniffed more. "Carajjo smells stranger..." He turned around. "Ah, milady Aurana. Carajjo sorry, but new friend?"

"This is Kaj-Julan," Aurana said with a smile. "He's my nephew."

"Huh, nephew?" A wide, open-mouthed grin curled up his face. "Right!" He clapped his wet hands. "The boy is back! And he had an Argonian kitten! Daha! Ha!" He held his head back and burst into hysterical laughter. "Greetings Janius son! Kaj-Julan. I wonder if you steal Carajjo's kitchen like your father, eh? Heheh. Anyway, maybe not good to find Jatinha and Rhazii. They gave as many eyes to each other as they are probably giving now in forms of k-"

"Okay! Good! Let's go then!" Aurana cut Carajjo off rather loudly. She was motioning for them to leave, but Harald waited for Julan to start moving.

[hr]
Unlike the last time they embraced, Lunise did not flinch at Meesei's touch. She settled against her, letting her shoulders and lungs relax. Even though there was some wet sand on her back that made their contact abrasive in some places, they were both warm. They could feel each other's heartbeats if they stopped to listen in the unnaturally silent air pocket.

Lunise placed her hand over Meesei's hand on her stomach and stopped its movements. She had her eyes closed. Her breathing through her mouth took on more force. "Meesei..." She murmured. "What could you possibly prove to me about myself that I have not found out in...over two hundred years?"