Marod at least hinted that he was taken off-guard by Meesei's spell. His eyes darted around at the visual spectacle and he straightened in his seat, lowering his hands onto the table. He was cut off from asking what Meesei had done by her hastened words. To them, he turned his head a fraction to one side, regarding Meesei with more suspicion.

"I can tell you now, champion, that both Lunise and I regard Talos worshippers as criminals. However, there is some nuance to what you ask." Marod did not rush his words as Meesei did, but he was clearly not comfortable with speaking under such conditions. "That is, Vile is a greater enemy. We have [i]approached[/i] Vile's cult to try and investigate this issue before searching for you. They entreated us, offered us a reward for pretending that they do not exist or to outright break our oaths. We delayed until we could safely refuse. Since then, our lives have been in danger." He lowered his words, as if trying to resist becoming impassioned. "We will not risk Vile's cult acting against the interests of our countries for the sake of catching a few extra heretics -- or whatever you want to call them. Especially if they are taking such people for themselves rather than being tried in courts of law."

Marod turned his eyes up to the frozen Lunise and back at Meesei with a severe brow. "I suggest you stop this and repeat what you have said to Lunise before she notices and you compromise our partnership. There is no chance of the Dominion cooperating if we keep secrets from one another regarding you and this war."

[hr]
"It has been earned, then," Fendros attempted, regarding the soul gems. "Not stolen."

The next step of the ritual was not something Fendros understood any better with Ahnasha's explanation. "Well, if that oil helps, there is no reason not to use it." He paused and pulled a pained expression at the central crystal. "If it is not too hard to explain," Fendros said while pointing to the crystal in its stand. "What is the function of that one there?"