The lack of a response from Julan eventually let Janius' attention drift back to Thorantilth's handiwork. No recognisable shape was apparent yet on Julan's scales -- the little that had been done truly drilled in the reality of the time that the markings would take.

Janius turned his head back to Julan again when Julan spoke. Janius was not sure how to interpret it. He lowered his brow and breathed in to ask Julan to elaborate, but he stopped. He closed his eyes and breathed out, smiling. "Julan, sometimes I wish I could understand the Hist like you and your mother do. It's like there's new world on the other side."

He was not sure how much Julan was comprehending. Janius did not expect an answer.

[hr]
Tunxeek did not give away much of a reaction to Kaleeth's question. He looked back at her for only a couple of seconds before his eyes lowered and he answered. [i]"It's not as simple as a soul remaining there,"[/i] Tunxeek continued in Jel in spite of Kaleeth switching to Cyrodilic. [i]"The Hist, does not forget, as far as we can tell. Your mother will always be among them, in a way, as much as any Saxhleel who passed away before her. Sometimes, when I have taken the sap, even recently, I sometimes hear my own mother's voice."[/i]

Running his hand over his forearm, Tunxeek continued. [i]"It is ultimately your choice whether to drink the sap today, Kaleeth-rei. But, if you do anything here, I would like you to try and think for a moment. Try to think how you will feel about this a season or two from now if you decide to put the bowl down. Explain it to me, if it helps you to think."[/i]

[hr]
Several seconds passed before Fendros answered. He remained where he was, leaning his hands on the back of the chair. "You know what scares me, Ahna? For all our speculation, it's all just guesses. What makes me afraid is that [i]I[/i] don't know how he would react to all this. We can get Meesei, true, and with us altogether, we could best him if he lashes out." He lifted his head and gave Ahnasha a look of mixed worry and anger. He pointed to the floor. "But after tonight my mother and siblings are still around him," he said, making every word clear. "Any wrong move by us? Who knows what he'll do. He'll take everything we or Meesei says with disdain and Marod may as well be threatening him as well." He took a short breath. "[i]He's too dangerous[/i], Ahna. That is not going to change."