While Janius knew he could not change the situation, he smiled and tried to console Julan as well. [i]"Look, I know it might sound embarrassing or daunting, but...perhaps try to think of it as the villagers do. These marks make you a peer to the men, no longer a child. You'll get used to them eventually."[/i] He tilted his head. [i]"You may even come to like the look, once all is said and done."[/i]

[hr]
Llarasa lifted her hands. "No objections here. Bowstrings make my fingers hurt."

Fendros' ears prickled from across the circle. He quickly caught Ahanasha's eye. "How much would you wager, Ahna?"

Rhazii breathed a laugh out his nose and let his head fall into his hand.

"What is the matter, Rhazii?" Calia asked.

"Oh, nothing, they just do this all the time." Rhazii lifted his head and opened his hand. "Have competitions and things."

"Well, perhaps we might make a game of it," Calia said, straightening taller. "Monderyn, set up a target. Let everyone see how they fare."

"Are you sure you want to do that, mother?" Monderyn asked quietly as he stood up.

Calia waved forward. "Not me, no. I would not trust myself to avoid shooting a passer-by with my eyes. But everyone else needs waking up from our droll talk of products and deals."