"You ate a dragon?" Narsi said sceptically as she slid off the saddle in turn. "Pff, whatever." It might not have been the smartest idea to look into the fire in the dark cave, but Narsi still stood facing it with her hands under her armpits, a couple of steps away from Julan. She did not appear bothered by Julan undressing, but she was neither interested in following along nor responding to Julan with more than a distant frown. Rhazii sat down nearer to Leaps, away from the fire, and added. "He's right. You can be yourself here, pretty much." Narsi continued staring into the fire. She lowered her head. "Are you okay?" Rhazii asked. After a long hesitation, Narsi mumbled quietly enough that it was hard to hear her over the roaring flames. "I'm...not allowed to enjoy this place." [hr] Calia spoke as Llarasa stepped forward to hug Ahnasha in turn. "You hope? You needn't hope, my dear. You are always welcome at our table; you are family." "We have plenty to spare." Llarasa added. "Blueberries are in season and they go perfectly in pancakes." She pulled away with a more comfortable smile. "Here, I have some ready here. You and mother can begin while I cook some for the boys." She slid the latest pancake onto a broad plate and brought them onto the table. True to her allusion, they were spotted with dark blue-red berries and steaming fresh. Butter and other condiments were ready to add as well. Before any other words could be spoken, two sets of footsteps clomped back down the stairs in no rush. First through the kitchen door was Monderyn, who quietly took a seat and poured himself a cup of water. Right behind him was Fendros, dressed in a hastily donned tunic, trousers, and socks, and sporting exhausted bags under his eyes. He stopped by the door to regard Ahnasha with a long, sore look. "Hello, Ahna," he breathed tentatively. "Sit, Fendros," Calia said in her politely commanding manner. "Let us all break our fast. Then, I think, I should go out to set Llarasa and Monderyn to some chores that need doing on the vineyard." Monderyn began to breath in. He suddenly understood and closed his mouth.