Meesei gave a nearly inaudible sigh when Harriet started to give her "testimony." As she feared, Harriet did not intend to present any evidence; she intended to attack Meesei directly. Meesei felt it was fortunate that she had given the suggestion that Harriet's mind could have been magically influenced a few days prior, as that rumor had been spreading around ever since that day. Hopefully, it would create doubt among those that might have otherwise supported Harriet. 

As her statements progressed, Harriet grew even more aggressive, until she did something that surprised even Meesei. She tried to catch the ring as it was being thrown, but Meesei's magic had seemingly no effect. She stood to her feet, along with most everyone else, but despite the chaos that was unfolding, she kept a good measure of her composure. Harriet's remarks had been designed to rile up the crowd and create chaos, to reasonable success. Fortunately, the fact that fighting had not yet broken out meant there was still a chance to avoid a veritable civil war within the clan, and that chance rested with Harriet's challenge.

Meesei stepped forward, standing just in front of those who had moved to support her. "You draw weapons against your brothers and sisters, then claim that [i]I[/i] am the one seeking to destabilize this clan? You claim what? That in a few hours after I arrived here, I managed to persuade Jerrick, a man you just described as an effective leader, of some nonspecific 'falsehoods' you keep mentioning. Or that Najirra, Grolak, Carana, and all others that Jerrick deemed trustworthy, people that have served this clan faithfully for countless years before I even arrived, suddenly decided to conspire against the clan? No, I believe that, when we walked into that meeting that day, you saw an opportunity to get away with your betrayal. Jerrick is murdered the same day the Champion arrives; the blame would immediately be cast onto me. In one fell swoop, you would kill both Jerrick, and the Champion of Hircine herself. But what you did not expect was Hircine's foresight; you did not expect us to be prepared. You did not expect Jerrick to draft those letters that would prove to your fellow lieutenants, and the clan as a whole, that it was one of his own lieutenants that betrayed him. So now, with that plan in ruins, you have moved to a final act of desperation to destabilize this family. But, for your challenge, none of that matters. Whether you are a traitor, or I have made some terrible mistake and accused an innocent, you have the right to challenge me, and I am honor-bound to accept."

Meesei took a few more steps forward into the empty space between the two groups. "I accept your challenge, Harriet. We will fight in single combat, here and now. May Hircine's will be shown through its outcome." She stated, her gaze moving briefly to the crowd. As they were in the main chamber, they already had ample space for the fight, as long as the crowd kept their distance. "Clear the training area, and give us space."