Julan was silent for a time, but obviously focused in his thoughts. Between Zharanthixil and his father, they had given him quite a lot to consider. He knew he should say something, but hesitated several times in doing so before finally voicing his thoughts aloud. [i]"So I could do any of the rites...if I wanted to. I...don't know if I could pass a magic rite. I'm not, um, I mean I can do magic, but...maybe one of the other ones. I know my mother did the endurance one, but I guess she also lived in the marsh all her life, so that one might not make sense for me. Hunting something doesn't sound [i]too[/i] hard, but I could also do the one with the fight. I guess we would do that one here in the village?"[/i]

Zharanthixil took on a rather scolding tone. [i]"The rite of might would take place in the village, yes. And refer to it properly. Take care not to take our sacred traditions lightly. I would discipline one of my apprentices for doing so, but I will concede that, as an outsider, you require education first. If you believe yourself a warrior to match a fully-trained hunter, then you can announce to the Master-Hunter your intention to undergo the rite. You are somewhat young...but you would not be the youngest to do so."[/i]

Julan looked up to his parents. [i]"Would that one be okay? Do you think my training is good enough?"[/i]

[hr]

The three of them stayed on the path out of the city for a short while before Ahnasha and Rhazii split off from Frendros, and into the forest. They started to head to the north and west, but even once they were out of sight of the city, Ahnasha did not show any indication of wanting to stop and find a place for their belongings, as Rhazii might have expected. Instead, she kept moving on towards some uncertain destination before finally speaking up to him. 

"So Rhazii, I have noticed that you have been training a lot recently. Well, not recently as much as just [i]always[/i]. It seems like there is hardly a moment that you aren't doing [i]something[/i] to improve your abilities. You're not as bad as when Meesei was in her 'obsessive training' phase, but I have noticed your effort. This business with my parents has been reminding me of when I was your age. You've met them now, so you can probably imagine that they didn't like me going out and doing dangerous things. Fighting, magic, I had to learn it in secret. When I had you, I promised myself that I wouldn't do the same to you. That I wouldn't try to make you be like me. But...I guess I also have to be careful not to try to make you be [i]different[/i] from me. I have to ask you if this is what you want? Being a warrior, that is? Soldier, hunter, battlemage, however you want to do it, are those the kinds of skills you want to develop?" Ahnasha asked.