While they arrived back at the keep so late that the sun was near to setting, there were still some hours of the day remaining for Julan and Rhazii. Unfortunately for Rhazii, Julan's curiosity had ultimately resulted in his parents finding out about his exploits. Fendros and Ahnasha were surprised, but not angered. They patiently sat down in private with Rhazii to work it through with him. He had indeed taken responsibility for bringing a pair of potions. Rhazii insisted that he had seen Jatinha take the disease curing potion, and he presented the skin of contraceptive potion still full. He said they didn't need it.

Also unfortunate was Rhazii decision to take the potions from Sabine's supplies without asking. Fendros and Ahnasha set discipline for him on the spot, but there was more to the story. Fendros and Ahnasha asked about Rhazii's feelings for Jatinha. At this, he burst into tears. Jatinha was the first girl he had ever been intimate with, and he liked her intensely, but he wasn't thinking in the long term. A relationship between them would never happen, simply because the pack would be moving on soon.

Fendros resolved that, tomorrow, Rhazii would write Jatinha a letter with a rose attached, thanking her and closing the issue. Then he would help clean the count's stable to make up for the potion.

As for Fendros himself, he was surprised that he was able to keep his temper back. Training his magic with Sabine all day brought him a surprisingly great leap of progress given that Sabine could directly transfer her magicka reserves. Although, her regime was nothing short of enervating in its drills and concentration. He went to bed holding Ahnasha tightly, knowing that tomorrow would entail the same thing.

The many interconnected issues within the pack distracted them from any suspicion of Meesei's activities. Her and Lunise were free to enjoy their bath and fall asleep in each other's arms.

[hr]
Much to everyone's relief in the pack, nothing unexpected occurred over the next day. They trained, rested, maintained themselves and their equipment, and carried out their plans.

Where most of the change could be felt was in the meeting between Marod, Lunise, Areldril, and Meesei. Lunise was stony towards Meesei to the point of utter disregard for their previous day and night. Even her uniform and hair was clean and prim, free of any sand, salt, or scent. The change laid in the dynamic between her and Marod. There was an extra tension and suspicion in Lunise regarding Marod's suggestions, almost as if she was threatened by him.

That night, the door Meesei knocked unlatched and creaked open to reveal Lunise still in her uniform. She wore her regular scowl, but visibly relaxed her shoulders when she saw Meesei. She stood aside to let her in. "Good evening, Meesei."

Once Meesei entered, Lunise closed the door behind them and shot a green spell into the lock. It snapped shut.

Lunise turned around and clasped her hands behind her back. Her mouth twitched when Meesei smiled at her. "I understand you have been busy today."