"Nothing quite so broad in scope, I'm afraid." Ariel laughed through her nose. "But there is a festival coming up next month that we're all looking forward to. It's always fun, but it's special for us because it's always been something of an anniversary for us..."

[hr]
"You've packed your clean shirts, Rhazii?"

"Yes father," Rhazii said as he rolled up the last of his clothing tightly enough to fit in his luggage. They usually travelled light but they had to put on some kind of show to make it look like their journey was long.

"And you pressed them after you washed them, yes?"

"[i]Yes[/i] father," Rhazii complained. "You're being nervous. I checked everything three times."

The knock on the door shut them both up. They were all nervous. It showed on their faces as Lorag saw them looking at him.

Fendros frowned and tilted his head. "Good morning, Lorag," he said unsurely. His eyes flicked to Lorag's clothing and back up to his face. "Do you need something? You look like you're ready to head out to a town."

Rhazii kept his mouth shut. He had a strong feeling he knew why Lorag had arrived. He had also been warned of Lorag's sensitivity regarding the matter.

[hr]
The search started out with enthusiasm. However, the way Kaleeth changed brought Janius and Julan partly down with her. Janius was still in better spirits, lending buoyancy to the journey, but it did little to slow Kaleeth's behaviour.

As much as Janius wanted to put the matter off, Kaleeth's long absence from the camp prompted him to take action. He beckoned Julan to follow him before they worked together to find where Kaleeth had wandered to.

Janius spotted her first. No matter how many times he witnessed Kaleeth every being still under the water, the sight of her as such always caused a brief panic in his mind. Humans only assumed such positions when drowned to death. Thankfully, Kaleeth was Argonian. Still, he worried for her for other reasons.

He turned and spoke to Julan. "How about you wait nearer to the camp, Julan? Your mother and I need to talk."

Once Julan had made some distance, Janius stepped carefully into the water. He did not care whether Julan decided to eavesdrop or not.

Janius was as careful as he could be not to startle Kaleeth by placing a hand on her arm to stir her.