Orphius hunched and avoided eye contact as soon as Meesei paid him attention. He did not respond as if Meesei would leave him alone, by some vain hope. He glanced up at her for only a moment. His response was spoken to the table in front of him, more than anyone else.

"No...no they are not- uh...champion." Orphius was not exactly stammering, though he was evidently having trouble deciding between words. "At least, not as far as I know. I'm...not really [i]with[/i] them, I...I just got caught up in this. I'm sorry, they threatened my family if I didn't talk, I..."

"Orphius here was one of the few lycans we were able to take alive," Marod interrupted. "Well, not before he caused some grievous wounds and a death of one of my colleagues. Rest assured-" Marod shifted his eyes to Orphius. "-his family is living in safety, well provided for, they are able to hunt at their leisure, and they have not been harmed. Orphius, you have been told this many times. You will be free after this meeting, by all likelihood. Do not be so sour."

"He is not sour," Lunise added. "He is afraid. Afraid of the champion. I do not blame him; he guided us to Ardan, after all."

Marod exhaled and shook his head at the paper in front of him. "I suppose that's fair. Meesei, I will be upfront. We want to learn more about lycans through willing sources. Trying to keep lycans in captivity is a dangerous and ugly affair. There are none in our ranks that are sanctioned, though it is always an option in the long term that we might take in some well seasoned lycans into the legion, if they wish to earn an imperial wage in some less-exposed roles."

Lunise quirked an eyebrow. "That's not something I expected you to say in front of the likes of me, Marod."

There was an immediate snort from Marod. "Oh, I know your side is thinking of the same thing, Lunise. You've never been able to play the ignorant diplomat with me." Marod glanced up with a frown at Meesei. "Don't think the champion of Hircine is going to be any easier."

Lunise rolled her eyes.

"Right! I will heat the wax while we discuss some of the details to be clear." Marod's wide smile shone over the parchment as he slid the final copies over to Meesei with a pair of fingers.

Over the next amount of time -- a quantity hard to tell when indoors of a regional inn -- the group made sure that there was clarity in all terms and understood their obligations. Lycan clans would be under the protection of the governments they were bordered within, if they were within the empire or the dominion. Both governments would share pertinent information regarding their independent investigations into Vile's activity, while the clans would grant information about Vile's infiltrators within their systems. This was under the agreement that lycan clans would negotiate for integration into their landed jurisdictions after hostilities had ceased. In its myriad detail and litigious terms, it seemed as clear as it could be. However, after the seals had been pressed, the names signed, and the required copies granted to Meesei to distribute to the leaders of Tamriel's clans, the meeting was not over.

Marod's face took a turn for the sincere and serious. His smile had faded and he looked to Meesei intently. Lunise's face had not changed from always.

"If you would, champion Meesei, you may have Ardan take your copies. Albus will take ours," Marod said, stopping to breathe. "We...Lunise and I, require a private word with you."

Marod did not break eye contact as Albus walked up and took some of the documents, before catching Orphius' eye and nodding backwards. The two of them strode out of the inn without a word. By Orphius' pace, he had not become any more comfortable with Meesei's presence.

The door shut behind them. Marod put his fingers together and looked at them with a tight smile. He and Lunise waited while the sounds of footsteps in the snow faded.

[hr]
"It's been ten years, Ahna. I think you'll manage a few days," Fendros said, though he did give a sympathetic look.

The invitation to Ahnasha's laboratory made Fendros' expression relax. It had a hint of uncertainty. He eventually nodded and spoke. "Anything you want. Do you want to get anymore sleep, or...?" He let out the rest of his breath. "No, I couldn't talk you into delaying any further if I tried. I'll get our coats."