The arguing lieutenants' silent mouths shouted for a few moments before they registered that they had been silenced. Darahil appeared familiar with the effect and turned his attention to Meesei with an insulted expression. The others followed suit as soon as the information dawned on them.

Vera's head turned to Meesei when she was addressed, still sobbing. She gently tried to motion for Fendros to let her go and Fendros reluctantly allowed her to move, but stood guard by the door in case anyone tried to run out. Vera now stood facing Meesei while she was informed that she was a suspect still, but she was hunched and bowed slightly, clearly bawling her eyes out and shouting silently at Meesei at the top of her lungs. Her lips read something along the lines of 'I would never kill him!' and 'I loved him!' The futility of the situation quickly rendered Vera weak as she buckled to her knees and continued to cry with her head in her hands.

Oswall's face tensed to the point of becoming beet red with anger and humiliation, but beyond clenching his fists, he knew there was nothing else to do.

Now with her arms folded across her chest, Harriet stood sceptically with her head up, looking down her nose at Meesei and not breaking eye contact.

None talked immediately after Meesei released her silencing spell except for Vera, who was still sobbing, and Darahil, who was still as insulted as before. Thankfully, Darahil had the self-control to tone down his voice, "Najirra would never take sides. If what you claim is true, perhaps I might trust your neutral judgement, champion."

Harriet clenched her jaw gave Darahil a narrow-eyed look before they started to move out. No one said a word on the way there. Meesei had demonstrated her abilities and the four were outnumbered even if they weren't now afraid to work together.

Najirra's chamber was not difficult to find. In the conversation with the scholars in the dining hall, Fendros had learned its location in case he or Ahnasha would ever be summoned there, so he lead the way. It was the chamber symmetrical to the one granted to Meesei's pack, looking out over the main chamber, but from the other side and with a sailcloth blocking out the main chamber for some reason. The room smelled of oils and incense. As their eyes adjusted, there were a number of belongings in some crates and bags neatly ordered around the edge of the room, along with three bedrolls. The first two bedrolls were occupied by the sleeping forms of two very similar looking Suthay-Raht Khajiit, and the third by a very small old grey haired and frail looking man with a tattooed face. At first look, he appeared to be human, but he had odd features and patches of Khajiit fur. Fendros thought that he must have been an Ohmes Khajiit, like Ahnasha had mentioned once.

One of the Khajiit women groaned and looked up at the group gathering by the door, opening her eyes and then sitting up suddenly. "Huh? Who's there?" She asked, waking up the other woman in the process. The second woman recognised the lieutenants, so was less startled, but still seemed confused when she rubbed her eyes and sat up.

Darahil took the initiative by speaking from the door. "Vharei, Saraya, we need to speak with your father immediately." He was firm, but he didn't speak loud enough to wake anyone else in the vicinity up.

The one on the right - they were so similar that there was no telling which was Vharei or Saraya - nodded and got up, still looking confused. She stepped over to the old man and gently shook him on the shoulder. She spoke to him in Ta'agra gently. [i]"Father, the leaders and the champion are here. They want to speak with you."[/i]

The old man, obviously Najirra himself, sat up slowly. Inspecting the faces of each guest thoroughly. His expression was thoughtful at first, but faded into a mournful one. [i]"Daughters, I am sorry, but you must leave us for a while."[/i] Vharei and Saraya didn't even say a word to confirm or deny before they both stood up and walked out of the room with blankets under their arms, shooting glances over their shoulders.

Najirra did not shift from his bed, but leaned forward slightly and stared at all in Meesei's pack. "Which one of you is the champion, Meesei?" he said slowly in a tired, but someone serene voice, "Where is the ring?" From this angle, Janius and Fendros spotted that one of Najirra's eyes was clouded over. The other may not have had the best eyesight either.