Janius blinked and lowered his brow. "Pardon?" He glanced to the side and back to Kaleeth, and then pointed over his shoulder. "That's what...Julan said that, after he took the sap."

His bewilderment was short-lived. Kaleeth was still upset. Janius gently took her upper arms. "Kaleeth, tell what happened."

[hr]
Calia sat just as rod upright and neutral-faced as she had been downstairs. With one hand over the other on her leg, she listened intently to Ahnasha with such stillness that she hardly even looked to be breathing.

She parted her lips. "Ahnasha, Fendros, I was not aware you were working for the throne." Her eyes flicked between them. "I was under the impression that your condition was not seen kindly by the governments of the land."

Fendros, sitting down beside Ahansha on the bed, lowered his eyes and nodded. "A lot has happened. I can't say much more than that without you promising to keep this all a secret. It's beyond just us and the pack this time."

"My son and daughter, answer me this at least. Are you in any danger?"

It took a moment for Fendros to answer. He grinned tensely. "No immediate danger, no." He gestured out. "Like I said, this is beyond just us."

Calia's thumb tightened around her other hand. "...Very well. Ahnasha, you know I have kept your secrets before. I shall continue to, no matter their weight. But, you must understand that such oaths as the one you are asking me to take are dangerous. I ask you to consider whether it is absolutely appropriate that I hear what you wish to tell me."

Fendros sighed. "Ahansha, just tell her. It's not as if we have the authority to enforce anything like that. It's mother, for eight's sake."