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The night passed and the sun rose.

Singer and his adventurers were around the bonfire, making breakfast as Singer's companion, Cynthia, walked into the camp.

"I have grave news." She said quietly. Because of the silence of the morning her voice rang through the camp. "The Marukhati turned to the governments of Tamriel, promising an end to the Altmer regime and power to all who followed the guidance of the Marukhati." She took a shaky breath.

"The Nations of Skyrim, Black Marsh, and Hammerfell accepted The Marukhati's offer, seeing it as a way to end the Aldmeri Dominion. They signed the Alessian Pact, a large contact that added new laws to the lands... the primary law requiring the immediate execution of all Mer in the countries."

Irri stared at Singer, not truly comprehending. "All mer... That can't be! It just can't."

Elyntine was stunned beyond words. "Wh-wh-th-" she stuttered, then sat down harshly on the gorund and fell silent, staring wide-eyed at the ground.

The warmth of sunlight and the sounds of voices burrowed through Sebastien's subconscious, and he stirred, grey eyes opening as if he had been shaken awake and blinking harshly into the light. In the dreary haze of the dreamworld - and what a nightmarish dreamworld it had been - he could only make out the melodic tones of voices. He was tempted to wait, to close his eyes and see if this was not the dream, but when he opened them again he was still beneath the sky, still just as dirty as before, and still surrounded by the strange gathering of strangers.

It was all quite real, then.

It was seeing Elyntine on the ground that pulled the curtain of sleep from his mind, and he sat up, only vaguely aware that his curls were uncharacteristically disheveled atop his head. The Breton stared at the back of the Dunmer's head for a long moment before shifting his eyes about the camp. He caught the tail end of the Bosmer's words, words of disbelief, and then those of the Altmer, and quirked his eyebrow uncertainly. In a deep but low voice, he called out, "What day has come?"

Feather-Tail promptly straightened his figure, adopting an attentive stance as if preparing to announce his resolved intentions given Cynthia's declaration.

"I'll not swear loyalty to you fools without proper reason," He stated confidently. "For the details of our parenthood remain shrouded in doubt. No, my loyalty lies with my people." The Argonian drew his blade swiftly, pointing its curved tip toward Elyntine as she sat nearest.

"Stand, Dunmer. Your honor rests upon your acceptance of this duel." His challenge was clear- his intent was to uphold his superiors' decision loyally.

Sebastien glanced at Feather-Tail angrily. "Now hold on just a moment there," he said angrily. "What in all the Nine do you think you're doing? Put that weapon away. Now."

Elyntine stared at Feather-Tail for a moment. Then she stood slowly. "This is a battle you cannot win, Argonian," she spat out, uncharacteristically angry.

In a half an instant, Irri had an arrow mocked and pointed at the Argonian's temple. "Sword away, Lizard!"

"No!" said Elyntine to Irriwen. "Thank you, but I can handle him myself." She drew her blade and backed up slightly. "Fine. I accept." She shot Aramith a glance, silently urging him not to intervene.

Feather-Tail smiled grimly, his reptilian features cold. "Arrogance will not shake my resolve." He then struck, nearly landing a well-calculated blow against Elyntine- she managed, however, to effectively block the initial attack with her own blade.

Sebastien shuffled hurriedly to his feet, suddenly wide awake, a startled and angry expression crossing his face. "Stop it," he demanded angrily of mer and beast. "Stop this at once!"

Elyntine knocked Feather-Tail's blade to the side with a short leftward swing and thrust her sword forward and down, aiming for the Argonian's leg.

Feather-Tail drew his leg backward hastily, shifting his balance and consequently adopting a stance that mirrored that previously employed. He spun his blade in a wicked arc just above his head, generating the force required for a cruel blow against Elyntine's shoulder.

The pommel of Feather-Tail's weapon slammed into Elyntine's shoulder and she fell to the ground hard. She picked herself up quickly, and saw Sebastien and some of the others preparing to intervene. "Don't!" The Dunmer shouted. She launched a fierce jab at Feather-Tail's side.

Irri loosened the tension of the bowstring, but did not remove her bow from the ready.

J'Dar walked over to Tireace after having a private reaction to the news. He told him about the pages he was told to read.

The very tip of Elyntine's blade caught itself in the flesh of Feather-Tail's side, inflicting a painful yet relatively minor wound. The Argonian quickly drew himself back, again adopting an alternative stance as to confuse his opponent- this saw him a bit closer to the ground, his sword's momentum maintained via back-and-forth motions to his right. He suddenly lunged toward Elyntine, attempting to land a solid stroke upon her sword-wielding arm.

The sword stroke torn open the flesh of Elyntine's upper arm and she screamed, her hand convulsing and dropping her weapon to the ground. She desperately launched a fire spell at Feather-Tail's chest.

He sidestepped the spell, drawing his blade backward in preparation for the duel's final blow.