Meesei was hardly able to extend a hand towards the staff before Hal-Neesa's irritatingly arrogant voice chimed in. "Come now, you intend to bring an Aedric relic into a duel? Do you think me that much of a fool? I would advise against cheating; trust me, you do [i]not[/i] want me to cheat." She said, waving a hand towards the other cultist onlookers. 

Releasing a sigh, Meesei clenched her fist closed and withdrew her hand away from Sabine. Her plan did not [i]necessarily[/i] rely on the Staff of Magnus, but she was certainly much less confident without it. She supposed it had been too hopeful to expect Hal-Neesa not to recognize the weapon, though even if she had not, Molag Bal might not respect a duel won only through the power of an artifact. 

As Hal-Neesa stepped forward with growing impatience, Meesei turned her head back briefly to meet Lunise's gaze. "Please, trust me." 

"Oh, enough of this. I am not going to wait around while you say your goodbyes. I have already wasted enough of my evening as it is." Neesa interrupted. Neesa preparing herself to fight brought a magical charge to the air that could likely be felt several rooms away. She was every bit as terrifying of an opponent as Meesei remembered. During their first duel, Neesa had broken through her ward almost immediately, then quite literally tossed her around the room. Even with all the time that had passed; all of the strength, knowledge, and experience that Meesei had accumulated over the years, Meesei still did not believe she was stronger than Hal-Neesa. Meesei had studied ancient and forgotten magic in Apocrypha, but Neesa had possibly [i]lived[/i] through those times herself. There was only one advantage that Meesei felt she could possibly have, which stemmed from Neesa's arrogance. Meesei did not expect that Neesa could even imagine that someone as young and inexperienced as Meesei could even approach Neesa's level of power. She would not expect it to be much of a contest. However, Meesei was hoping that she was just close [i]enough[/i]. Even if she was not stronger, just being powerful enough to challenge her might allow her to use surprise to her advantage. In any case, it would have to be a quick duel. This would not be an extended magic duel, because that was not a duel that Meesei could win. Victory or defeat, Meesei would have to make sure to put everything she could into it quickly.