Sabine did not hesitate to nod. She was tense enough. "I promise."

She concentrated on directing the spheres under her command through the portal. The memories of the ambush, she realised, were rearing their head. Every second was making her more nervous. She had to focus.

Fendros looked left and right one last time. He and Ahnasha had said their goodbyes and reassurances to Rhazii before they left to muster with the others, but he did not want to take the chance of Rhazii trying anything rash. Fendros wondered how much help it was to keep the mission details from him with all the activity.

"I'm glad those Dwemer things are going in ahead of us in the portal," Janius said as he neared the group. He and Kaleeth were armoured and ready to go with the warriors. "We really ought to keep one with us as a decoy out on missions."

"You're right," Fendros said. He frowned. "At least that is one thing to be comforted by."

Janius clapped Fendros on the shoulder. "Hey, this is on our terms now. Watch, this'll go fine."

"I know."