Janius smiled. "It's one thing to transition in and out of Jel with those you know that speak Cyrodilic, son. It's quite another to hold your own against your grandfather you met for the first time in your life when he speaks no Cyrodilic at all."

The change of subject made Janius give Julan a discerning look for a quiet moment. "If you're worried about...revealing anything, I don't think you have to worry." Janius looked around. "This rite, it's not a test of just strength. Strength helps, but I doubt you will break any reasonable expectations unless you do something particularly wild. No, it will be a test of skill. Your opponent may conventionally have an advantage in strength that you will not have to worry about, probably. However, there is one thing they will have; a head start in years of experience. Your natural advantages can only do so much against that."

Janius stopped and half-turned before they reached the cook fires. "You hungry?"

[hr]
Rhazii tried breathing in a few times to answer. He false started over and again, his face creasing with anger. He finally raised his voice. "I don't know, I just feel sick!" He loosely gestured. "The way he panicked and...died..." His mouth hung open, strangled. "I didn't [i]fight[/i] here. I [i]killed.[/i] I..." His head lowered slowly as his eyes closed. The rims of his eyes glistened. "I want to go home. This was a mistake."