Marod waited only a few more seconds before speaking. "We apologise for calling Ardan away, champion, but we have learned that there are few you can trust without almost impossible certainty." He looked to Lunise. "Perhaps you should start us off."

In contrast to before, Lunise spoke little to any offensive undertones. "I will be forward about this, Argonian. We know more about lycans than anyone in our governments, but your existence has become something of an open secret. We do not have the power to out everyone that makes decisions, whether they be in service of Clavicus Vile or not. There are movements to flush you and your kind out of wherever you might be hiding, which includes some of the clans that we know about. There are many clans we know that have not been shared to others, but there are enough to cause war if attacked. We have..." She narrowed her eyes as she glanced to Marod. "...differing opinions as to the value of your clans, though we both recognise that trying to flush them out will only put more citizens at risk, weaken our militaries, and only further the political position of the people pushing to destroy you. We can only do so much to delay an offensive action, and to stop it would require official capitulation to Dominion rule from each clan within the dominion."

"This is eerily similar to what is happening in the council under the emperor," Marod added, spreading his hands. "It is how we were able to line up the agendas as Vile's."

Lunise continued. "If you give written capitulation, those corrupt governors could forward the subsequent information on where to find your clans to Vile's cult, compromising you all. However, this war between yourselves and the Dominion and Empire will happen, one way or another. You do not have much time."

"What Lunise means to say, champion," Marod bowed his head while looking at Meesei. "Is that you have only a few years at most to end this war. We can see your clans living peacefully and to the benefit of our nations by integrating you without war. I am afraid that war will come otherwise, and there is little we can do if not act first."

[hr]
Fendros followed along patiently. He did not know if he could be any help at all, so Ahnasha's words were not a surprise. He simply gave an understanding nod. "Of course. I'll be wherever you need me to be."

As they were stepping into the laboratory, Fendros asked a question before seeing anything within. "Are there any others that know about this place?"