There was no expression of triumph in Janius either. He stood still with nothing else to say. He stepped up to the tree and sat himself down heavily beside Kaleeth, staring ahead.

It wasn't long before he brought his arm around Kaleeth's shoulders and just held her for a while.

Even with all the mixed feelings the revelation brought, the comfort they had with each other had not changed.

After an uncounted time passed -- a period that felt like a few minutes but could have been more -- the feeling of helplessness frustrated Janius' mind. He breathed in and spoke softly. "I'm sorry, Kaleeth. I...didn't expect this to be easy, but-" He blinked and looked down. "I'm sorry."

[hr]
Calia raised her chin and looked away for a moment. "Tell them to interview him. And ask any questions they wish. He knows how to conduct himself around officials. I think they will know best what they wish to ask."

"Mother," Fendros hesitated. "We need to get these people on board before they meet him. Is there any one thing we could use?"

For another moment, Calia closed her eyes. Her mouth twitched. "There is one spell they may be familiar with. It is not a common spell. In fact, few in the world even know how it works. Rossarm has explained it to me before -- he is one of the few who learned it." She opened her eyes. "It is the spell of Equilibrium. A dangerous alteration that siphon's one's own life force into magicka. Mentioning that may grant him the step of credibility required to enter your plans."