"Right," Janius agreed. "I'm glad it was just disappointment and not...outright rebellion. It was fortunate Hal-Leeus gave her opinion, too. Even if he wasn't smitten, boys his age tend to hold the opinion of pretty girls highly."

Two steps later, Janius lowered his brow at something. "Just wondering, you mentioned both Julan and Thorantilth will drink sap before the tattoos are etched in. Does that mean the Hist might notice that Julan isn't as eager to get his marks?"

[hr]
Llarasa smiled sadly. "Well, I can see why it's valuable. It's a beautiful item, too. But I would need to do much harder work than little art pieces in my free time if I'm to have any chance of launching an arrow with it. Here." She held the bow forward in two hands.

Fendros smiled and took the middle of the bow. "Very well. Are you ready, brother?" He called out to Monderyn walking back towards them.

"Yeah, yeah," Monderyn said. "Maybe I haven't lived long enough but it feel strange doing this after so long."

"Who's going first?" Fendros asked. "How about you, Ahna? Let's do three shots each."

While the first shot was being lined up, Calia angled her head to S'nashi and Gwindir as she looked on. "I can relate with your experience of a black sheep child. Fendros was, in fact, the least talented mage in the family for generations. He hated every lesson. 'Twas shameful, in truth, even if magic is less necessary in our current circumstances."