"No, that will be all," Marod confirmed with a broad grin. "We are going to continue our work. Reports will be sent to you regularly. And, don't be afraid to send a friendly letter."

Marod opened the door to let Lunise and Meesei back out into the snow. He also beckoned Orphius to follow. "May this be the beginning of a better future for everyone. I am glad we were able to meet before things came to a head between lycans and us. I hope your clans will be receptive to events going forward."

"Don't make them think we're going to enslave them, at the very least, champion," Lunise added tiredly.

The small group saw off Meesei and Saras without any trouble. Now equipped with documents that protected their clans from the empire and dominion unless they harboured criminals, they could distribute them to clan leaders around Tamriel and rest sure in the fact that it would not be national armies that threatened them. For now, at least.

The real treasure was the information they would gain from Lunise and Marod, as well as the daedric reagents for their cure. Supply of both would start slow, though they would grow into an invaluable resource. It was not the solution to all of Meesei problems, but it was the edge they needed.

When informed of their meeting, the Blackreach council was largely agreeable. They only hoped that the clan independence they would trade in the future would be worth it.

[hr]
"I wouldn't mind doing that some time," Fendros thought out loud. "Your family were pleasant company." Fendros glanced at Ahnasha on his shoulder and smiled. "Not any time soon, though."

The pair took the rest of the day to themselves when they reached the Silent City again. They took enough drinks to relax, but not thoroughly intoxicate themselves. After Ahnasha fell asleep while receiving a massage, it was mostly naps and reading books for the both of them, all the way until the late afternoon. Only then did they decide to make themselves useful and catch up with their duties.

Neither of them were normally so slothful. Today was an exception that they could tacitly justify without a conscious thought. In the further few days, they worked hard to avoid the worry about the results of the ritual, whatever they might be.