Meesei nodded in understanding towards Ariel. She had surmised that the girls would not know about their aunt Sabine's true nature, given the risk that such secrets could hold. Meesei and her pack would not, of course, be affected by the public opinion of the city dwellers in a place on the other side of Tamriel from their home, but even being known associates of lycanthropes could be dangerous for Ariel and her family. It would be best that the secret be kept from the children until they were old enough to be responsible with it, if they ever even learned of it at all. Meesei, Sabine, and Karl followed Ariel's lead out of the Wamasu's Nest. It was later in the day by this point, but both Ariel and Rukeewei were likely leaving their work earlier than usual. Although, with three girls to care for, they were likely experienced at managing their time by this point. 

[hr]

Ri'vashi took the time while gro-Tagnud and Teroiah were bickering to refresh herself on the notes that Meesei had given her. Teroiah was obviously the most magically knowledgeable among them, so there was no point in Ri'vashi trying to act as if she had more understanding than she really did. Teroiah would identify a bluff right away. "Ri'vashi is no mage herself; she cannot describe the portals, but the Champion has given her the relevant, practical details. She estimates that it will take several days to move all of our combined forces into position within the Hunting Grounds, but she has not mentioned any expected issues in maintaining the portal from Tamriel. She does mention some limitations to the first portal, but nothing that would affect us. To avoid breaking the 'compact', it has to be an invitation to Mundus, so no Daedra or other beings from the Hunting Grounds can use it to get to Tamriel, and only those from Tamriel can use it to return. The second portal will apparently be much easier to create than the ones the Daedra used in the Oblivion Crisis, since it does not have to bypass any strong barriers, so we can make it much larger. She says it will be...comparable to the size of the great gate used in the famous battle of Bruma. This one's warriors have already been collecting sigil stones for that purpose. If your people have any sigil stones to spare, it could be helpful."

As they were speaking, a sound started to echo through the cavern: footsteps. Ri'vashi was the first to pick up on them. Her ears twitched, and her head turned to face the source once the sound was unmistakable. From their chamber, they could see a short distance down the cave as a figure rounded the corner. It was one that Ri'vashi recognized immediately, and one of the last she wanted to see in that moment. It was Hal-Neesa, wearing an expensive and spectacular violet and gold dress made from pure silk, despite the fact that they were in a literal cave. As she approached, both one of Ri'vashi's guards and one of the Imperial guards moved to stand in her way, but her entire body phased into a cloud of black mist for a few seconds, moving around them and reforming on the other side. 

Ri'vashi turned towards the intruder, her hand on he hilt of her blade on reflex. She glared into the vampire's lightly glowing eyes, practically growling by this point. "Hal-Neesa, you were not invited here. Leave." 

Neesa was, as expected, unimpressed by Ri'vashi's stern words. "Yes, I know; I'm really starting to sense a pattern there. You people [i]never[/i] invite me to the party, and I bore of constantly having to show up late. Now, I am not even going to address the fact that the representative to lord Molag Bal [i]absolutely[/i] has every right to be here, because it is enough to say that you will need me. As entertaining as it would be to watch you all fail, it would not be in my best interest for you all to die a horrible death before the Axe can do its work on Vile. So, I need to take it upon myself to keep you people alive."