EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei lifted one leg over Lunise's and nestled her head against her chest. "I expect that I am going to have to make it firm and clear that we are not susceptible to being pushed around. Knowledge cannot be taken by force like some physical thing, and they can lie to me about their capabilities as much as they like, but they cannot lie to themselves. I know the risks, certainly, but now is not the time to play it safe."

Lifting her head up, Meesei lightly touched her snout to Lunise's lips. "I am...eager to take some risks. Especially the risks that end up with you warming my bed." She added, rolling onto her with a deep kiss.

---

The meeting was to take place early the next morning, less than an hour after Meesei alerted her council that Marod and Lunise had arrived. They gathered in the meeting chamber before even having a chance at breakfast, but there were no complaints. The matters on everyone's minds were certainly something that they wanted to deal with sooner, rather than later. They still had to maintain secrecy in the clan as to who exactly Marod and Lunise were, but it was not that difficult to keep them out of sight altogether, considering that the meeting chamber was in the same building as their quarters.

Despite the general grogginess of most of those at the table, the meeting was quickly underway as soon as everyone was seated. Saras, who was doing a reasonably good job of hiding his fatigue, began, as one of the few who had actually met Marod and Lunise in person. "I am glad we were all able to come here for this meeting. I am sure the Champion has given you at least a summary of all that has occurred, and I am sure you know the stakes. But, just to make sure that everyone is clear on the situation, are there any questions that either of you have?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei lifted one leg over Lunise's and nestled her head against her chest. "I expect that I am going to have to make it firm and clear that we are not susceptible to being pushed around. Knowledge cannot be taken by force like some physical thing, and they can lie to me about their capabilities as much as they like, but they cannot lie to themselves. I know the risks, certainly, but now is not the time to play it safe."

Lifting her head up, Meesei lightly touched her snout to Lunise's lips. "I am...eager to take some risks. Especially the risks that end up with you warming my bed." She added, rolling onto her with a deep kiss.

---

The meeting was to take place early the next morning, less than an hour after Meesei alerted her council that Marod and Lunise had arrived. They gathered in the meeting chamber before even having a chance at breakfast, but there were no complaints. The matters on everyone's minds were certainly something that they wanted to deal with sooner, rather than later. They still had to maintain secrecy in the clan as to who exactly Marod and Lunise were, but it was not that difficult to keep them out of sight altogether, considering that the meeting chamber was in the same building as their quarters.

Despite the general grogginess of most of those at the table, the meeting was quickly underway as soon as everyone was seated. Saras, who was doing a reasonably good job of hiding his fatigue, began, as one of the few who had actually met Marod and Lunise in person. "I am glad we were all able to come here for this meeting. I am sure the Champion has given you at least a summary of all that has occurred, and I am sure you know the stakes. But, just to make sure that everyone is clear on the situation, are there any questions that either of you have?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"It is true that it may be more difficult to convince the Empire than the Dominion of the essential need of this attack. The Thalmor already know and believe in the power that the Towers hold, the Empire may have skeptics." Meesei replied as she stepped over to her wardrobe. Similarly to Lunise, she was quick to pull off her dress, carefully fold it, then place it aside to wash later. She did not bother to dress herself in anything else, and simply walked over to her bed wearing nothing more than her own scales.

Meesei laid herself down on her back on her bed, stretching her arms out over her head and looking up at the ceiling. "I do not think it will actually be too difficult to convince Marod, specifically. He knows the stakes, and he knows what is really true. He read those documents from that Thalmor defector, and he knows that the Thalmor believe it all to be true. I do think he believes the threat from Vile to be legitimate, and if he believes that, then there is nothing more important than stopping Vile. The challenge will be dealing with his superiors. But, we may be able to leverage some of the advantages that my knowledge can provide. My best idea is to offer to share my knowledge of teleportation...on conditions. I will agree to share my knowledge to either or both governments if they support me. The ability to move people and supplies vast distances, instantly, is a great advantage that cannot be understated. My own people can attest to that. If the Empire or Dominion gains that advantage, without the other side possessing it, it could shift the balance of power going into the future. If one side agrees to help us, the other will have to help us, for their own sake."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

With no objections from Lunise, Meesei replied to Marod with a nod. "Very well. I shall make sure you both have the best rooms we have on hand. In the meantime, I can take us somewhere private."

Meesei led the pair up the stairway to the floor with their usual meeting chamber. It was a room that was far enough away from anywhere that clan members would normally go, and large enough that they could easily speak in confidence without much of a worry for eavesdropping. As promised, Meesei answered whatever questions of relevance that Marod or Lunise might have had, aside from anything that could compromise the location of any clan. She explained exactly what happened regarding Do'rhajul, the Dragon, and the Axe, as well as explaining the ultimate intention of the meeting to figure out how to get the Empire and Dominion to give as much assistance as they could be persuaded to supply. She also answered any questions they might have had about the clans and the capabilities they had developed. It was not necessarily information that Meesei wanted to share, but it was information that would have to be shared eventually if they planned on working together with outside armies. Of course, Meesei did keep any secrets that they did not think to ask about.

Being that it was getting quite late, the trio eventually decided that it was time to retire for the night so that they could get at least some sleep before morning. Meesei led them up to the top floor of the building, then to one of the rooms that she had mentioned before. It was usually used when alphas from other clans had business in Blackreach, so it was both spacious and comfortable. It was one of the Dwemer rooms which had been in good condition when the city was discovered, so it had changed little from its original state. The stone bed was padded extensively, so it was as comfortable as any other. She allowed Marod to take the guest room, while for Lunise, her room was on the opposite side of the same floor. Although, Lunise would find it quite familiar once she stepped through the door, being that Meesei had taken Lunise to her own room.

The moment Meesei closed the door behind her, she let out a relieved sigh. "Well, Marod did not seem too cynical about it, at least. It has given me some ideas for some leverage we might be able to wield over our governments."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I think for the interest of time, I can skip past that bit.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei hummed a moment. "Well, I would be remiss if I shared hints as to the location of this place. I suppose I should amend one of my statements from before. It is likely necessary for us to share our secrets except for the location of the exact entrance to this place. That one last secret to keep my people protected, I suppose. With teleportation, knowing the physical entrance to this place is not terribly...necessary."

Meesei gave a grin to match Marod's. "However, making no reference to physical proximity...you never came anywhere close. Particularly since we planted those rumors to guide you to a location of our choosing, after we caught on to you in Solitude."

Wasting little time, Meesei went ahead and started to guide Lunise and Marod up the steps, into the city itself. Its gates were guarded day and night, but one look at Meesei was all it took for the guards to open the gates for her without question, and without a word being spoken. Deep in the cave as they were, there was no real concept of day and night, but they still made an intentional effort to keep the Silent City on the same sort of schedule as other lycan clans across Tamriel, if only for the convenience of it. As such, most of the clan had retired for the night, so it was not as active as it usually was. However, there were still hints as to the city's size in the courtyards they walked through in the form of the structures that the lycans had created on top of the original Dwemer structures. There were fortifications, market stalls, stables, and other signs that this was much closer to being a true town than Marod might have initially assumed. Though, it obviously had its own unique surprises. As they were moving through the first courtyard, an automaton that had been placed on night patrol rolled past. It was a Dwemer sphere, somewhat dusty, but in otherwise pristine condition. It did not react at all to anyone in the group, nor did Meesei give any comment or reaction to it.

"I am sure you have many questions, and I certainly am willing to answer them." Meesei said as they stepped through into the first floor of one of the taller buildings, which contained both the meeting chambers, and many of the dormitories for high ranking members of the clan. She looked around, even going as far as casting a brief detect life spell to check her surroundings before continuing in a quiet tone. "Of course, the reason I have requested you be here is so that we can meet together with my council and discuss our final preparations and planning against Vile, and what role the Empire and Dominion might serve in it. If you wish, I can wake up my council's members, and we can hold the meeting right now. Or, if you would prefer, we can hold the meeting tomorrow morning. Right now, instead, we can go somewhere private and I can answer your questions and catch you up on events to the best of my ability. That might help you be more informed for the meeting, but it is your decision. I can give you the best quarters available, which may be nicer than you think.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei stopped her magic when Marod indicated that he was not ready, and patiently waited for him to be ready. Even when Marod was out of sight, Meesei felt frustrated that she could not use the opportunity to really talk to Lunise. Until they had complete privacy in her clan, they would not have that opportunity. She and Lunise could not be seen being terribly friendly towards one another. Lunise was a person who was hardly ever seen in any professional setting being friendly to her own people, much less anyone else, and Meesei had to maintain a sense of neutrality between her and Marod. Both she and Lunise understood that they needed to put on a convincing act, even if it meant varying degrees of rudeness between them in public.

Regardless, it was not terribly long before Marod said that he was ready, though Meesei did not continue without objection. "I can agree with everything except the uniform. At the current stage, I would rather not be seen in public in my clan with uniformed Imperials, or Thalmor, since our alliances are only known among my people's leadership. We will have to announce it eventually, of course, but I want to get that message out clearly, on our terms, rather than through rumors. Anything else will do, even more proper city clothes. A lot of people in the clans do not bother with them, but it is not an uncommon sight by any means."

After giving Marod time to accommodate her request, Meesei once more stepped into the center of the room and began her spell. "Now, to describe it in short, I have mastered teleportation magic. I am capable of opening a portal between any two locations, provided there is not any significant metaphysical barrier between them. For the vast majority of places on Nirn, that is not an issue. I merely need to be familiar with the destination, or have some other connection to it. It is a difficult spell to cast, and it takes a minute to complete, but this one should be finished just about...now."

As the finished speaking, the spherical, violet portal opened up in front of her and she offered her hands to both Marod and Lunise. "It is best that we all step through at once. Now, come with me."

To avoid calling too much attention to them right away, Meesei teleported them just outside the Silent City, rather than into the middle of it, which did have the affect of making it an even more impressive sight. The tall steps leading upward made the walls and gate above them look even more imposing, and of course, the Dwemer City and the cavern itself were all magnificent sights to behold for anyone with some aesthetic sense. Even with Marod's best scouting and intelligence, he could not have expected what he would witness. "Here we are; welcome to my home."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I did say it was a summary." Meesei clarified. "Of course, I am willing to share all of the details. All of them. About the axe, about myself, about my clans. All of the little secrets we have kept about our capabilities, you both will have to know it all. That is how serious this has become, Marod. I am prepared to lay everything necessary out on the table for you both, if that is what is required to defeat Vile. Our deals and negotiations regarding my clans affects every one of my people living in Tamriel, and could determine our very future, but it is a petty concern compared to stopping our enemy."

Meesei cleared her throat and stood up from the table. "With that being said, yes, I can tell you how we arrived here. In fact, it would be easy enough to just show you. Show you everything." She stepped around the table and into the most open part of the room. She held her hand out in front of her, which started to glow just slightly as the magic began to well up within her. As she started her spell, she looked over to Marod once more. "You are able to leave here right now, yes? I can bring you back here just as quickly should you need to speak to your superiors, but I would plan to be away for a while, regardless. There is much to do."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei took her seat just across from Marod, though it took a few seconds for her to adjust herself so that she was not sitting on her tail. Despite Marod's friendly attitude, Meesei did feel a bit more on-edge, being that they were in the middle of the White-Gold Tower. Although they were alone in the room, she could not be sure who might be listening in, though it was probably no one that Marod would not be reporting to regardless. "Yes, well, I suppose I should start with a summary of recent events, since a great deal has happened. During the course of our hunt for the Axe, we carried out a mission to deal with Do'rhajul and his team. One of my pack members, Sabine, was captured, but she freed herself, convinced Do'rhajul and one other to defect from Vile's side to ours, and captured all of the other members of his former team. With his help, she also recovered the Rueful Axe and killed a Dragon that had been harassing Imperial ships off of the coast of High Rock."

Naturally, everything that Meesei was saying was a great deal for Marod to take in. If he did not know her as well as he did, it was unlikely that he would even believe her, so she allowed a few moments of silence for him to think before she continued. "With all of that having passed, it is time to start preparing for the end of it all. I came to find both you and Lunise for a meeting with my council to determine how we are going to carry out our final assault against Vile. A fair warning, the work ahead is going to be as time-consuming as it is important, so I would...free your schedule as completely as you can." She recommended. Indeed, since Marod did not yet know of her ability to teleport, the notion of meeting with Meesei's council was a mission unto itself. However, like Lunise, it was his primary assignment.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

As much as Meesei would have liked to talk about whatever issues might have been troubling her, they needed to be more focused now that they were in the Imperial City. Meesei kept quiet as they headed through the gates to Green Emperor Way, but she did start to speak up softly once they were a safe distance from the guards they had passed. “I will be revealing my ability to teleport to Marod today, so it would probably be wise to act as if you have only learned recently as well, should he ask. I would not want him to think that I am favoring you, or the Dominion.”

Shortly afterwards, the pair approached the steps leading up to the large doors of the White Gold tower itself. There was a palace guard on either side, wearing the traditional, ornate silver and gold armor of their station. Normally, the first few floors of the tower were open to the public, but not after dark, except to those authorized to be there.

Meesei stepped up to one of the guards and spoke a few words quietly, softer than what Lunise would be able to hear. The guard appeared to pause for a moment in thought, then nodded and unlocked the door for them. Their destination was on the third floor of the palace, and Meesei had only been to it once before, but the tower was simple enough to navigate. The hallway for every floor circled around the outside wall of the tower, with the rooms for each floor on the inside of the circle.

The lycan clans had been given a handful of authorization phrases to allow them to identify themselves to the Penitus Oculatus, though the only authorization such phrases provided them was to reach the parts of the palace necessary to contact the Penitus Oculatus. She imagined that anyone who had an official reason to contact them would have such a phrase. A Thalmor diplomat like Lunise would likely have one as well, so it was likely that she was perfectly aware of what was going on, even if she did not have a phrase to enter the palace itself. Meesei had to give her phrase a few move times before they eventually made it to their destination on the third floor.

The Penitus Oculatus headquarters was one of the Imperial organizations that was in operation both day and night. Given the nature of their work, Meesei would not have been surprised if they were even more active after sunset. It also would not surprise her if the office she and Lunise had entered was not actually their headquarters, despite what she had been told. Meesei found it more likely that it was simply a place designated to meet with outsiders to the organization. The agents inside wore the Penitus Oculatus uniform, though compared to the Legion, it was a uniform much more rarely worn. Usually, their organization worked in secret, and in disguise.

Neither of the two were greeted upon entering the relatively small waiting room. There was a uniformed Imperial man behind a desk at the center of the room, who looked up at the pair expectantly. “We are here to meet with agent Marod.” Meesei stated directly before leaning in to give her phrase. The man recognized it much more quickly than the palace guard, and Meesei saw in his expression a brief glimpse of that familiar anxiety that often appeared when a non-lycan realized who, or rather, what they were speaking to. Although, anxiety might not have been the word to describe it for a trained member of the Penitus Oculatus. He was more defensive, on guard. Regardless, he gave a single nod and stood up.

“Wait here.” He instructed.

Like Lunise, Marod’s assignments usually required travel from him, but Meesei expected he would still be in the Imperial City. One of Saras’ agents had given him an update on events that same week, just before their planned mission against Do’rhajul, so it was more likely than not that he had not yet left. They did have a wait of roughly half an hour in the room, but considering the presence of the two other Penitus Oculatus agents in the room, Meesei had no opportunity to speak with Lunise. Fortunately, Marod did indeed arrive to meet them, though he did appear as if he had just woken up, with no time to hide that fact.