Janius feigned a sigh of relief as best as he could. [i]"Kaj-Julan, in turn, takes after his mother in determination. Still, we have some experience with wounds like that. Not Julan, but us. We have definitely seen worse where people less durable than Julan...took longer to recover."[/i]

Though an unabashed deflection of any notion of their lycanthropy, Janius was telling a half-truth. Skirmishes with cultists left them plenty of unsightly memories of friendly casualties.

[i]"Something for the pain would be very much appreciated,"[/i] Janius added. [i]"The boy is energetic now, but he may start feeling it more going to sleep tonight. Although, at any rate..."[/i] he looked to Zharan and Kaleeth. [i]"Unless there is anything else, we should probably leave you to your work. Thank you again, Thorantilth."[/i]

[hr]
The sun was low and the sky orange by the time Ahnasha heard soft footsteps on grass. Fendros emerged from the edge of the camp with Rhazii following along behind him. He still had the bloodstain on the shoulder of his shirt, but it had dried and browned. He kept his eyes to the ground and his face low.

Fendros put on a small smile and raised a hand as they approached.

Their quiet walk ended next to the campfire. Rhazii's eyes were puffed as if he had been crying recently.

"Ahna," Fendros said. "Rhazii's got a few things to say."

Rhazii left a long pause. He blinked away as if ashamed. It took him a moment to bring himself to look at Ahnasha.

"I'm sorry I hurt you." He began. "I panicked. Then my beast panicked. Neither of us were really in control."

He paused again to gauge Ahnasha's reception.