Rossarm paused to ensure Ahnasha was done. He then slowly gave a nod.

"Fendros can carry the pressure, too," Janius added, putting on a smile which repelled Rossarm's quiet judgement. "He has many lives on his shoulders, many responsibilities. But he has demonstrated he knows when to get involved directly, when to trust, when to delegate, and when to hold himself accountable. We support him where we can, though that kind of weight could still crush anyone else."

Sabine also spoke. "He is also calm without being easy to push around. He is better at doing that than I am."

Rossarm also gave Sabine a nod, but did not say anything to either of them in return. Instead, he walked quietly over to Rhazii, Julan, and Narsi. They had been silently watching on, either sensing the gravity of the situation or not knowing what the matter was at all.

"You are Rhazii, correct?" Rossarm asked.

Sitting down, Rhazii did not have to look far up to look back Rossarm's eyes. He glanced at his mother and father unsurely.

Fendros gave him an encouraging look.

"Yes, sir," Rhazii said to Rossarm.

Rossarm craned his head forward. "What is your father to you? How does he measure in your eyes?"

Rhazii furrowed his brow. He stood up, taller than Rossarm and most everyone at the gathering. His ears were pinned back and his mouth was clamped shut in an effort not to bare his teeth. "Stop trying to knock down father," he said firmly.

With his back turned to the adults, it was hard to discern Rossarm's immediate reaction.