[i]"Well then, he is right here."[/i] Zharanthixil answered, gesturing towards Julan and either not understanding, or not caring about any implied desire for privacy. [i]"You said you want to learn more about your people, boy, right? Then you should experience yourself what it means to be one of us.[/i]" 

Julan was predictably nervous to have such pressure so squarely on himself, especially coming from his grandfather. [i]"I...guess so. I've never really known much about us, but...would becoming one of you mean that I'd have to stay here?"[/i]

Zharan crossed his arms with a distinctly unimpressed expression. [i]"I do not know why you would ever want to leave your own people just after gaining your belonging among them, but there would be nothing binding you to stay, no. Short of committing horrible crimes against us, you would [b]always[/b] be a part of us. Even my daughter, your mother, after leaving us so long ago, is still a member of this tribe. You would always have your place in the world, whether or not you choose to take it."[/i]

Though still nervous, Julan was at least curious about Zharan's offer. [i]"That does all sound like a...good thing. But...the rites don't sound safe."[/i]

Zharan scoffed, and ended up glaring at Janius. "[i]Is this what you've taught your son, Human? To fear danger? No, the rites are not safe. Deaths are quite rare, but your safety is not guaranteed. The first lesson that any Saxhleel learns of the marsh is that it is unforgiving. It does not care if you are a warrior, or a scholar. A man, woman, or child. It is merciless, and will kill with no discrimination. We live every moment of our lives surviving against the dangers that lurk behind every bush or tree. The swamp never sleeps, and we must always be ready to meet its challenges. Our homeland strengthens us by its very nature, and makes us into a people worthy of defending it."[/i]

[hr]

Ahnasha made no attempt to hold back a laugh. "Yes, welcome to the first...what was it? Eighteen, nineteen years of my life? I can hardly even remember at this point. My parents have always been like that. I can say that they honestly are well-intentioned, but it can come off as pretty heavy handed at times. Or most of the time, really. I would not expect my mother to stop singing your praises at any point."

Continuing on towards the city gates, Ahnasha shrugged after taking a few seconds to think. "I suppose we can go ahead and go for a hunt now. It doesn't really matter what part of the day we choose, as long as we are far enough from the city. That would also let us get more sleep tonight. Once we get a ways down the road, you can just follow me, Rhazii. I have a good idea of just where we can go. Stay, um...normal for now. We want to get some distance from the city."