Dwelling on the subject was bad enough. When Julan threw himself into fright, Rhazii only got more anxious.

Rhazii threw up his hands. "Gods! Julan, I know!" Their whispers were getting louder than secret now. "Didn't aunt and uncle tell you to always bring two potions? I brought my two potions with me, okay? I am sure she is fine and your family will be, too." Rhazii hissed, annoyed. "Hircine's hounds, brother, it was just some fooling around. You don't need to get this worked up."

[hr]
Lunise still overcompensated on remaining balanced when stepping through the portal, but she was getting more comfortable with the jaunts each time. After regaining her bearings and recognising her room, she let go of Meesei's hand.

"Ah, thank you," she said. Her professional demeanour had returned with jarring abruptness. "I expect Areldril will have enough written down by tomorrow morning that meeting with him will be beneficial." She walked over to a hand mirror she had set on a dresser and bent down to readjust her hair in it. "Not before a bath and some dinner. And getting the sand out of my uniform. Do inform me when he is ready to present his work."

Feeling eyes on her, Lunise turned her head around to where Meesei sat. She stared quietly with her neutral scowl, but her eyes seemed gentler. After a few seconds, she turned around to the mirror again. She took a leaf from a compact wooden wallet by the mirror and put it in her mouth while using a brush to apply some make up to her cheeks. "It will..." She hesitated. "It will be a cool night again tonight. I understand that the barracks linen is rather austere. I should thank the count for supplying me with a warmer bed."