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Singer and his adventurers approached the camp after having come back from a private meeting among themselves. Everyone looked very grim. Nobody had noticed Mario.

"The first reports are coming in." Cynthia explained, her heart feeling heavy. "Countless elves are dead already. We have to get moving to Orsinium."

"countless Dead..? Already?.." Tireace said with a rub at her eyes "we must.. can we skip orcismer for now? and help some of the others"

Sebastien turned around at the approach of Singer's adventurers. He straightened up, thoughtfully rubbing his beard with his free hand. He agreed with Tireace, at least in terms of surprise. "How do these Marukhati act so quickly?" he asked of the adventurers. "They must have been waiting for this moment, no?" He paused, his eyes narrowing. "A calculating foe, indeed."

Irri pushed Tireace. "What, are Orcs worth less to you?" She asked.

"Haven't you been listening? Hammerfell, Skyrim and Black Marsh, which includes Morrowind, have signed a pact with the Marukhati." Engrid, the Nord witch, snapped.

"It's perfectly legal for military, guards, and even citizens of the three nations to attack any Elf they see." Singer explained. "Even important political figures and nobles are being executed. For example, the Arch-Mage of Skyrim's College of Winterhold has been beheaded for the crime... of tainting Nirn with his very presence."

Irri shivered. "What have the Thalmor done since the treaty?"

Sebastien only blinked. He hadn't been listening, of course - not really. He wasn't entirely sure what he thought of the whole thing yet, only that he wasn't as eager as some gathered here to accept Singer's words. But that did not make him immune to this tragedy. "Gods," he murmured.

"The Thalmor have a mixed reaction." Answered Singer. "But all three nations are independent of both the Empire and the Thalmor. If the Thalmor attacked all three, they may be weakened to an Imperial attack."

"And if the Thalmor attack the three nations, it will weaken their presence in Pelletine, Anequina, Valenwood, and Cyrodiil." Engrid said grimly. "That would enable the Marukhati to spread their ideals in those places. This is a dark time for the world. I wouldn't be surprised to see a total collapse of all governments and an end to Tamriel itself."

"It would never work in Valenwood! Bosmer might be semi-barbaric tribesmen, but they're elves. They wouldn't let the Marukhati in," Siaenach mused.

"Don't be so sure," said Sebastien gravely to Siaenach. "It may not be up to the Bosmer - or any other elves. The Marukhati have done mysterious things before. You should know you cannot stop an individual who feels entitled to his or her mission."

"I know Bosmer has this unlucky history of getting crushed beneath someone's feet, but really, what would the Marukhati do? Engage in a fulll scale invasion of Valenwood? I'd hope they did. Would make it easier for us."

"the Arch-Mage? He's dead..? No.. This cannot be this, the, the Marukhati shall now experience suffering.. Arch-Mage.. I will avenge you" Tireace said with tears and the look of determination in her eyes "let's go! Help all the elves now!! Everyone of them! Even the brutish orcs.."

Elyntine mounted her horse and led it to the edge of where the group stood. "Well, what are we waiting for?" she asked, speaking with intent to all present. "We must now act, not stand and discuss."

Irri nodded savagely. "I agree, Ashborn." She said, mounting her own steed. "The sooner we get to Orsinium, the sooner we can kill some Marukhati."

Tireace mounted her horse and said with tears about to flow "yes, no action all talk is what you guys are being now, I lost a good friend now thanks to the Marukhati. This is personal. Shall we now ride or wait until more elves die!?"

J'Dar heard all of the commotion going on and saw everyone on their horses. He mounted his horse lopsidedly and asked, "Where are we going without J'Dar?"

"We're going with J'dar." Irri corrected.

"J'Dar, they killed the Arch-Mage.." tireace said starting to cry "they killed my friend, so I want to kill them and leave no trace of them when I am finished with them. I vow to do this until my dying breath to do my best to crush the Marukhati. Like the scum they are."

Feather-Tail, rather ironically, mounted his own steed given Elyntine's rhetorical query. He maneuvered near to the rear of the assembled riders, anticipating, however, that he would be ordered to remain ahead of the others.

"Oh, get a hold of yourself." Irri said. "We're all in the same boat. Try not to sink it with your tears, you blubbering fool." Strangely, her soft, calm tone took most of the sting out of the words.

Sebastien laughed. "The Bosmer is right," he said. "We wouldn't leave you, J'Dar. You're with us now. And we're all together, whether we like it or not." He surveyed everyone carefully, his grey eyes grave. "We shall have justice yet. So I am with Elyntine - let's be off, then, eh?"

"okay irri, I'll go with j'dar, I'll teach him some basic healing and some destruction spells so we can patch you guys up" tireace said with a shaky smile.

"We haven't met, Breton." Irri said, extending her hand to Sebastien. "Irriwen."

Sebastien took Irriwen's hand and shook it warmly, offering her a polite bow of his head and a warm smile. "Sebastien," he said, "and well met, madam. Very truly."