Fendros had to hide his mild embarrassment at his words coming off strongly enough to imply he had been threatened. Still, his eyes involuntarily found Ri'kalesh and Ri'vashi in turn, sulking into their food. He returned the Dunmer leader's look. "I understand. I shall keep the aftermath in mind, as you say." He sighed. "If things do come to blows -- in the worst case, of course -- my...standing advice is to remain neutral. After all the effort spent building and unifying, all the progress, even the hope of someday overcoming stigmas and so on...well...If you have not already lived through a civil war, you would know enough history to see our fate down that path."

No amount of pleading had shifted the poor impression Geran had left on Sabine. She cautiously thought about what to say next. In reality, she wanted to drag him in front of Meesei and make him express his worries directly. But, Geran was clearly manipulative. He would probably take the opportunity to discredit Meesei and hide behind her to avoid retaliation. He would make a public scene without the desire to help Meesei change.

Her next consideration came from entertaining his idea without accepting it. At least by implication.

"And what about Fendros?" Sabine asked, remaining flat and direct. "He is Meesei's second. Not me."