"You tell me, champion." Lunise said flatly. "The crowd that was meant to reach Orcrest disappeared, remember?"

Marod raised his palms to both of them. "Now, I do not believe now is not the time to be pecking at each other's fingers. We have an agreement to go over." He smiled and gestured to the empty inn. "Shall we head inside?"

The balding imperial lead the group into the building to reveal a table lit by a few candles inside a deathly quiet room. The heart was softly glowing with lit coals, but it had been neglected for a time. Albus silently attended it while the others found seats. Orphius the werebear took a seat on another table to watch from the distance.

Once seated, Marod produced a set of parchments detailing their agreements thus far. Lunise did the same, but her documents were written on stationary of the Aldmeri Dominion.

Marod folded his hands on the table and resumed. "I presume that Ardan here has filled you in? Is there anything that you would like to mention first regarding what we have outlined? I would hear what your opinion is from your mouth before proceeding."

[hr]
Fendros remained holding Ahnasha. He was silent for a few moments, staring at the vial. His voice spoke quietly in an attempt to dampen Ahnasha's clear anxiety. "It's all finally ready?" He grinned and turned his eyes to Ahnasha's. "This has been a long road. It's exciting to be this close to the end of it."

Standing up straight, Fendros let his arms slide away until his hands were resting on Ahnasha's shoulders. Almost as a habit, he gently began kneading at the knots in her upper back with his thumbs. "Is there anything I can do to help?"