Narsi shook her head with a bit of frustration, but she swallowed down her temper before she responded. "No, they...Lorag don't like momma, but that's not it." She breathed in and held her breath, trying put her thoughts together. "...Momma...did something real bad, back before I was born. Real bad. Like, the kind of bad that makes other lycans from all over want to kill you. We were in Cheydinhal because we were hiding. Soon as I'm done here, I'm going back to take care of momma. I can't let her be alone. I'm all she's got."

She kicked some soil up into the fire. "And Lorag, he just cames out of nowhere after...not giving half a shit for years." She spat quietly. "I hate him."

[hr]
Ahnasha's attempts to break the ice did liven the meal between them. Even with some residual nervousness from Llarasa and Monderyn, the entire family was eager to distract from the tension. Even Fendros relaxed a little, though he was too drained to be fully present in the conversation.

Before long, the last of the sweet and tart blueberry pancakes were finished and the teapot was empty. Calia selected her timing gracefully, speaking exactly when appropriate to do so. "Well then," she stood herself up and straightened her dress. "We shan't be wasting any more of the morning. Come, children, we have extra work to attend to with your father out on business."

Monderyn and Llarasa agreed, quickly cleared up, and followed their mother out the back door. Llarasa stopped by the door to say one last thing over her shoulder. "Oh! The kettle on the stove should still have some water. You know, if you...wanted some more tea." She waved. "See you later." She stepped out of sight.

The kitchen was quiet. Some birds sang outside and the stove still clicked with woodfire, but Fendros sat leant back on his chair, looking at his hand as he picked at a splinter of wood on the table top. The air drained from his lungs. "The first thing I owe you," he croaked, "is an apology. I lost my temper. It was not the time nor the place to stand up to you in front of your family."

He paused and looked across at Ahnasha.