Marod poked out his lower lip, trying to think of what the problem would be. "Well, if you need me to attend hunts, I would be honoured. I have not hunted for too long."

In response, Lunise rolled her eyes. "Even if lycans hunted like your brightly dressed nobles on horses, Marod, do you honestly believe that is all to be said about living in this place?"

"Lunise," he said with a grin elongating her name to calm mollify her. "I was merely taking on some humour. I long ago learnt that my sense of humour is not to [i]your[/i] taste, it does not mean I shall leave it out to dry like a tanned hide."

"Your humour has the stench of a freshly tanned hide, Marod," Lunise shot back.

"Bahaha!" he guffawed. "Is that what it took to show your own humour?" He gave up and waved dismissively. "Oh, never mind. Where do we start, champion?"

[hr]
Ri'kalesh's response was some measure of relief for Sabine. However, she was not sure if it gave her comfort. She looked ahead and down at the ground. Her tears made her eyelids sticky as she blinked.

"You are right," she said quietly. "It was not any of my pack he killed. Nor my clan. Nothing is going to erase those actions."

Sabine trailed off for a moment.

"What you are offering, it is hard for anyone to do that. Even for a debt." Sabine covered one eye with her palm and leant her elbow on her knee. "You are kind, Ri'kalesh. You are the kindest person I now know. You are not...praising me like I am a hero for this. Or...or treating me like some enlightened saviour." She half-laughed into a sob and sniffed. "It has not been long but I think I appreciate being treated like I am capable of mistakes again."

She stopped to breath and speak more evenly. "Some day, Rhajul will have to answer for his crimes. I know I cannot hide him or protect him forever. I just want his justice to be more meaningful than someone's vengeance. I want to make it right. His crimes will not be forgotten but neither will whatever else he does. Even if you do not agree with me now, giving me this chance is...very kind, Ri'kalesh. I am grateful. Very grateful. If it means as much to you, whatever debt you believe you owe me is more than paid."