"You might at least get some small covered ridges over the top so your fins aren't pressed flat." Janius shrugged. "But I suppose it's not a large problem." He looked at the wrists of his own Dwemer gauntlets. "I'm grateful that we have this equipment at all. Even with the abundant soul gems and good metal laying around, we could buy a mansion with the value of what we're wearing as a pack. Especially with the enchantments on them."

As Janius was a confident warder, his Dwemer plate was not enchanted to resist magic. He instead chose to increase the magicka he could hold in his body, as well as to enhance his destruction magic's potency.

Fendros and Sabine's equipment each added weight to Janius' statement as well. Sabine made most of her enchantments herself. Though she eschewed armour, she had a similar shielding necklace to Ahnasha and Meesei, with an added effect to assist her channelling of frost magic. The only other magical item she wore on her body was a ring that enhanced the strength of her wards. All other effects she might have wanted, she concluded, were situational. As such, she continued to carry potion skins and flasks for many such situations.

On the other hand, Fendros remained wearing his chitin armour. While it was not as strong as Dwemer plate, the chaurus chitin that stacked up after their domestication naturally reached the hands of the blacksmiths and tanners. Almost every encounter with the Falmer spoke of the versatility of the material. Since then chitin was favoured by the scouts of the clan for its toughness, flexibility, camouflage, lightness, and ease of repair. Thanks to Sabine's consultation, Fendros' had an eclectic set of enchantments; his bracers helped to speed his limbs to shoot faster, his sword struck with a chill that numbed and slowed the muscles it hit, and his cuirass helped to enhance his capability to absorb spells. He was still underdeveloped with his magical training, though that would change given time.

The pack was fully equipped and ready for a battle. But there farewells to Julan and Rhazii had not come yet.

Rhazii knitted his brow at Ahnasha's answer. He looked down and tried to speak quietly, hiding his disappointment behind a bit of anger. "That's not fair. You, father, and all my aunts and uncles, I know I'll be safe if I'm fighting alongside you all. I can help." His voice lowered further. "I just want to help."

Fendros laid a chitin-armoured hand on Rhazii's shoulder. "Mother's right, Rhazii. You're not ready. If you don't approach a threat as big as Do'Rhajul without all the training and experience you need, there's only so much we can do to protect you."

Escalating further, Rhazii huffed in frustration. He spun to face the fully chitin-clad Fendros with his teeth bared and ears flat. "How am I supposed to get experience to become a warrior if I can't fight with you?" He brought his fingertips to his chest. "You trained me-" He gestured to Ahnasha. "You both did. Everyone in the pack has. What's the point in it all?!"

"Rhazii, look at me."

Rhazii glanced at Fendros and looked down again.

"Look at me," Fendros said again, slower and angling his head forward.

A pause passed. Rhazii gave Fendros an annoyed sideways look.

"We've been training you and Julan so you can take care of yourselves. Walking the path of a warrior, going out and protecting the clan and your family and dedicating yourself to it, that is a different decision." Fendros flicked his eyes to Ahansha. "Mother said that we can't stop you if that's what you want. And we can't. And you are talented, that is true." He locked his eyes on Rhazii again. "But we are still your parents, you're still growing up, and we are telling you as parents [i]and[/i] as experienced warriors that we do not think you are ready for a challenge like the general. Even with us beside you. Understand?"

Rhazii was quiet. He pressed his lips together and twisted his expression. He was still angry, even with his mother and father being reasonable. He glanced at Fendros and Ahnasha in turn. He spread his hands. "Well...I do want to be a warrior! I'm good at it." He shook his head rapidly. "So, what am I supposed to do here, huh? I don't want to just sit around and wait."