Meesei's attitude was somewhat more tempered than Sabine's, though she could certainly understand the conflict it caused for her. It was unlikely that Sabine had been mentally prepared for the realization that one of her close friends, a member of her family, was capable of such cruelty. "Hmm, that is not strictly true. There is no magic that is inherently good nor evil. Magic is a tool, without thought or emotions of its own. The only thing that can give it purpose is the mind of the one using it. That said, some magic can make it easier for one to justify cruel thoughts, since cruelty can be the easiest, quickest path to power. But..."

Her voice trailed off briefly as a thought came to Meesei's mind. She did not know if it would be an answer to their problem, but it was a possibility. "I have learned something of this life extension process. I do not know the details, and it would take me years to learn the proper magical skills, but I know some of what is required. And I know that there are multiple approaches. About a year ago, Fendros and Ahnasha killed a mammoth for its soul. A mammoth carries a grand soul, the most powerful kind of soul short of a black soul. I know that black souls are not necessarily required to extend one's life. Regular white souls can be used to accomplish the same task, but it takes more of them, and is more difficult. Perhaps it could be advantageous for you to try to learn this life extension magic, but to do it the patient, proper way. And you can ask Ahnasha to help you. If it was her research that brought her down her current path, then this kind of research might, over time, show her that there is a better way. You already have intricate knowledge of the body and soul, so it may not take you as long as it did for Ahnasha. I can dedicate some of the clan's resources to helping you gather souls. If I had done so with Ahnasha from the beginning..." Meesei said, some regret showing in her expression. "...it could be that we would not be in this situation."