"Between three and four weeks." Meesei answered. "We have already taken stock and determined that we have more than enough food and water to make the journey, following paths between oases. I understand that does mean we will be away from the stronghold for close to two months at minimum, but it will allow us to deliver a crippling blow to Vile's forces in this region."

The next person to speak up was midway down the table: Dro'cahi. He was an older, brown-furred Khajiit, with an accent unlike that of an Elsweyr native, though he still spoke similarly. "This one knows our warriors are willing to undertake such a journey, of course, and he has the deepest respect for them, but are we sure it is wise to separate this clan from so many of its warriors for so long? This stronghold is defensible, but only if there remain those capable of defending it. The enemy has already sent a group of infiltrators into our ranks, what if they next send an army?"

Meesei had expected such an objection, so she was ready to answer. "We tricked one of the prisoners into divulging information, most of which is contained in your reports. They had not had a chance to send a messenger to report on the clan's location before we arrived. Vile's forces as a whole still do not know of this location."

"They may not know of our exact location in the desert, but it does seem evident that Vile's forces know [i]of[/i] this location." Dro'cahi pointed out. "They knew enough to put their infiltrators int he right area, and even if they have to begin their search anew, two months will be a long wait. To say that it is not possible for them to find us in that time seems to be a dangerous assumption." Dro'cahi's objections, as Ri'vashi had predicted, were direct, and spoken with confidence. They were also not unreasonable, so Meesei could not deny them outright.

---

After a few minutes of simply laying together, and a few intimate touches from Peiter, Sabine spoke up again on his suggestion. Once more, he smiled, this time because he had guessed the thought of a bath would sound enticing to her. Peiter's mood was upbeat, and even playful, so slowly and carefully, he crawled over Sabine to stand up by the side of the bed and look down on her. 

"Agreed, I think it sounds relaxing. But, if you don't feel like going anywhere yourself..." He began before quite suddenly putting his arms underneath her and lifting her up off the bed. "...perhaps I can just carry you there? I don't mind carrying you around like royalty."