( it isn't unusual for julius to find petra still sitting up awake when he comes to bed, however late it might be, but there is something particular about the way she lowers the comb that she's been working through her hair and points it at him from where she's sat in their blankets— )

I had thought this outpost at least was past threatening mages for the crime of performing magic in any capacity, but today I was proven wrong.

( which is a promising opener, although if it were an immediate threat she'd probably be informing him somewhat differently. )