In the next meeting, three different Moth Priests would be selected to read the same three Elder Scrolls; the first three would be resting and recuperating, so as to avoid blindness. This reading was secret, as always; some among the Empire did know, but there was fear that taking advantage of the knowledge the Elder Scrolls offered would backfire and alter fate in the wrong way, causing greater destruction than if the Scrolls' knowledge had been left alone. Thus, no one bothered the Moth Priests as they narrated the results of Hammerfell's meddling in Imperial Matters.

Their reaching out to Clan Direnni? It succeeded; the Clan were not amenable to seccession as of yet, but yes, they would welcome Hammerfell's support in their attempts at building a colation against the Thalmor. As for the Redguards' attempts to supply the Stormcloaks covertly, the latter managed to secure the Pale Pass, but were unable to find a route for the people of Hammerfell to supply them.

This latest defeat gave the Res Publica their opportunity; when news of the defeat arrived, the riot in Skingrad, as well as other major cities in Cyrodiil, were larger and more ferocious than expected, and Skingrad itself was taken, along with four other cities in the Imperial Province, meaning that out of 'eight major cities and towns', only three, as well as the Imperial City, were left in Imperial Hands. Overnight, the Res Publica had gone from an organization held in ridicule into an organized nightmare, a threat to the very fabric of Imperial Society.

Of course, Titus Mede II, despite his flaws, was no coward, and began moving to squash dissent in the Imperial City, arresting suspected Res Publica sympathizers, and even making an attempt to capture Antonio Salutati, the writer of the book that started it all...only to find that Salutati had escaped to rebel territorry, being forewarned by a friend. However, it was clear that the counterattack was to begin soon...

In the meantime, the Aldmeri Dominion watched the news with pleasure, and began mobilizing for war...only to find discontent among the Bosmer and the Khajit at a high; it appears that any potential invasion from them might have to be delayed, and this delay might allow either the Empire or the Res Publica to win...