Reanaseer gave a chuckle. "Well, I would certainly hope not. I haven't seen a fight in about five years, with Zharanthixil's diligence. I hope to meet the end of my life without seeing another.

Fortunately, it was not too much longer before Treeminder Thorantilth, a middle-aged Argonian male, arrived from the direction of the Hist tree. Unlike the other two leaders, his clothing was a simple loincloth, but his tattoos were much more extensive and intricate. His scales were tan in color, though many were covered by the tattoos. On his head were a pair of sizable fins, and his eyes were a deep shade of green. He approached as if he had been in a hurry, despite the delay. [i]"I apologize for the delay, I came as soon as I could. I was told that strangers arrived wishing to commune with the Hist; I assume this is them?"[/i]

Reanaseer nodded, prompting Thorantilth to walk up to the pack. He looked over the group with a bit of suspicion in his eyes, though not nearly as much as Zharanthixil or his hunters. "I warn you. Speaking with Hist is not a easy...thing. My purpose is protection of our Hist, and we do not accept threats to it. They may yet speak to you, though. That is solely their will. Is it you who wants to commune with them?" He asked in Cyrodilic, looking at Meesei. His Cyrodilic was not nearly as polished or practiced as Reanaseer's, but it conveyed his meaning well enough. 

[i]"Not precisely."[/i] Meesei answered in Jel, since the Treeminder did not appear comfortable in Cyrodilic. She stepped over to Sabine and put her arm around her shoulder. [i]"She is a person with a scarred soul and traumatic past, and a loving girl who does not deserve the pain she feels. I wish to put her through the ritual of binding. I am familiar with the preparation and effort required, so I offer to do all you will allow me to help."[/i]

Thorantilth's interest was certainly piqued by Meesei's explanation. He looked down at Sabine, this time with more curiosity than suspicion. [i]"The ritual of binding? Few, even among the Saxhleel, even know of the ritual, let alone how to practice it. You speak as one raised and educated in our traditions."[/i]

Meesei nodded. [i]"From my hatching, I was raised as Treeminder of my clan. I took on the role for a time, but my path down the river unavoidably led me elsewhere. I left the clan in the hands of my capable successor so that I could continue on my path."[/i]

[i]"Hmm, for a Treeminder to abandon her role is an exceptional event, but it is not my place to judge the worthiness of your cause. As for your purpose here, though...the ritual of binding will not serve her in the same way as it would a Saxhleel. No matter how often or deeply a Human communes with the Hist, they can never become connected to the Hist in the way we are.[/i] Thorantilth responded. 

Meesei shook her head and looked up to the village's Hist tree. [i]"I have no intention of attempting to bind her to the Hist. I merely want to connect her mind to theirs, to let them sense her soul and judge if she is worthy to have the burden she bears lifted from her shoulders. The effect of the binding need not remain permanent.[/i]

Thorantilth crossed his arms and let out a sigh. He was obviously in deep thought, and quite conflicted about the situation. Fortunately, they did not have to wait long for an answer, this time in Cyrodilic. "I can not deny your request. I can help with ritual of binding, but it takes much preparation. There are tests she must go through to judge readiness. It may take days. Are you sure you want to begin this?" The Treeminder asked, this time looking at Sabine.