Janius nodded. [i]"At this point, Julan, it is an obligation. It is an integral part of the rite and our welcome here may depend on it."[/i]

[hr]
Calia had to stop to put her hand to her chest momentarily, pulling her chin back as if a piece of her food had caught in her throat. She swallowed it without a noise, but her expression had some leftover sourness. "Yes. Family. Hmm." Her smile returned. "I think perhaps we should defer the specific details to another time. It suffices to say your offer is worth consideration."

Llarasa caught Vasiq and Shevari's eyes. "Is this how they won over your family, Shevari?"