Sabine nodded enthusiastically and stood up, putting her bowl aside. "I think I will visit Ariel another time. She is very busy," she said. After dusting off herself, she stood near Meesei and lent her energy to the spell.

Karl exchanged a glance with Lunise. He had not seen the portals opening up close before.

Before long, they stepped through into a blast of tropical heat. Their eyes adjusted to behold the beautiful scene before them under the bright moons.

Whatever odd feelings Karl may have experienced from using a portal for the first time, they were promptly erased. Sabine took Karl's hand as he experienced similar amazement to Lunise upon seeing Blackreach. He couldn't help but let out a laugh.

In contrast, Lunise clasped one hand in another in front of herself and raised a soft smile. She breathed in slowly to take in the scent. She spoke so softly as to almost be inaudible. "Father described a scene like this. He went to Thorn on his first journey to Black Marsh. He told me, there are places in nature that humble us Altmer. For not all the best things come from magic. I have seen two such places in one night now. I think I finally understand what he meant when he told me."

[hr]
"Neither armies put walking corpses on the battlefield! I can tell you from mine own experiences!" Oswall retorted. "The very idea that I would place my trust in Fendros to give us this plan is as far as I can go."

"Oswall-" Darahil made a half-hearted attempt to interrupt.

Oswall threw an arm forward. "I would not spit on my ancestor's grave by being responsible for-"

"Oswall! Oswall. Stop." Fendros lifted a hand. He turned to Ahna. "Calm yourself, Ahna. Both of you. This is not a place for spitting...Oswall," Fendros stared down Oswall's red face. "You can be guaranteed that I will take full responsibility if the use of undead takes a poor turn."

"Fendros, if I may?" Darahil tried again. He was unaffected by the shouting.

Fendros nodded to Darahil.

Darahil glanced to Oswall from the corner of his eye. "Before we are tangled in the morals of this plan, I must ask of a matter disconnected to [i]our[/i] proclivities." Oswall lowered his head and looked under his brow at Fendros. "Have you considered that perhaps those in Do'rhajul's band could find the use of undead offensive as well? If reanimated thralls are used as reinforcements, then the entire strategy to subvert their beliefs about us and Vile shall be utterly undermined. And no amount of shouting shall change [i]their[/i] minds."