UESP Forums

"If you'd bother listening, you'd notice I said 'YOUR' Thalmor. Never said a word about you being one of them."

"Enough," said Sebastien sharply, having left the fate of Mario to the Ayleid and Amos, no more interested than he had been before. "I shan't have your bickering in my ear the entire journey." He glanced from Siaenach to Aramith slowly. "I am not here to judge you on the Reach or the Thalmor," he said pointedly, "and you ought to do the same. Your life may one day rest in each other's hands, so it would be wise to hold each man accountable for anyone's actions but his own."

He extended a hand to Aramith. "Rest easy, Altmer. You are in good company."

"No matter if you feel unfairly treated. You don't seem like one of the non-arrogant Altmer I've met. The Thalmor are extremist, sure, but you aren't mr. Humblepants either," Siaenach said.

Sebastien nodded understandingly to Aramith, then offered a sly smile to Siaenach. "I do, however, admire your tenacity, madam," he said to her. "I am glad to be on your side, certainly...even if but temporarily."

"Would be more likeable if any of your damn nations actually bothered to help anyone!" Siaenach mumbled bitterly.

Sebastien only looked at Siaenach, blinking calmly, and finally shook his head, walking away with his fingers drumming against the hilt of the sword at his hip. He would argue no more, for the journey ahead, its end so uncertain, would be long, long enough for him to contemplate these companions and the burden and...curse, he supposed somewhat bitterly, that they suddenly shared. If anyone knows the uselessness of nations, it is a Breton, he thought glumly to himself.

"And now you're justifying Thalmor actions. Which means you're probably one of them. Never met a non-Thalmor Altmer who was actively justifying Thalmor activities," Siaenach said. "And now, if you'd remind me: How exactly did you help us? I've been in Valenwood for 7 months! And as of yet I have been denied to even petition for assistance 16 times at many different Thalmor controlpoints."

"Why is everyone arguing..? We should be go go goiiing! We need to help the Mer, all Mer!" Tireace queried after jumping off her horse when they didnt start going. "If we cant last a few days together! What hopes does everyone else have?" She explained

"Altmer." Irri said, frowning darkly. "Can you claim the same for us Bosmer, huh? That you enjoy our support? Bloody expansionist arrogant holier than thou racial supremacists, the lot of you! And," She added angrily, "Don't say that I'm being hypocritical and racist! I know you will, you insufferable yellow ninny! There has not been a single 'High' Elf in Valenwood I have ever met who did not meet that description to a dot!!! She looked at Siaenach. "And, all Elves are not sissies." She aded in a deceptively calm voice.

"Altmer are. Dunmer and Bosmer have at least kept up with being in contact with nature and actually being physical. Not meant as a bad word against you, gorgeous," Siaenach said.

Elyntine led her horse at a trot to where Sebastien stood. "One would think that the impending slaughter of all elves in Tamriel would warrant a quick departure," she said. "But our companions seem to disagree." The Dunmer dismounted and approached Sebastien, her right hand stroking her horse's side slowly. "Are we really going to allow the Argonian to stay with us?" she asked suddenly. "He has clearly stated that he wants the Mer eradicated! Who knows what he'll do!"

"Of course, beautiful. Just clearing that up." Irri laughed.

"can we go now? I'm sure the more time wasted here the more mer blood is spilt." tireace said with a grimace and she starts to gently push everyone to their horses "quick quick, fast fast! Who knows how long this will last!"

Amos lifted Mario off ground. "But first, we need to kill the thief."

"Wait." Said Singer. "I want him to come with us. The thief may prove useful."

Sebastien gathered his horse's reins and gave the creature several affectionate pats on its nose, feeling soothed by the touch. He considered Elyntine's words and glanced over at Feather-Tail, considering the Dunmer's question about the Argonian. Yes, he had reacted to the Marukhati's law without hesitation, fiercely loyal to his people - and that would, without a doubt, be a problem, not just to the group but to the Argonian himself. And yet the Breton knew, with a heavy, all encompassing certainty, that what he said next to Elyntine was true.

"I'm afraid whether he stays or not is beyond you and I now. Our fates, at least for a little while, have already been decided...and not by him." He paused, his hand idle on his horse's nose, and considered a thought that he kept unspoken. "How are you feeling?" he asked instead, with genuine concern.

Siaenach jumped onto the horse she'd been leaning against, waiting for the rest to be ready.

Irri mounted her horse, stroking it's mane absentmindedly.

Elyntine looked at the ground. "I'm fine," she said. "Thank you." She bit her lip nervously. "Well, I mean, physically I'm fine." She paused, and then looked up at Sebastien. "I don't want to do this. I don't want to go to Orsinium and fight the Marukhati- I know we have to, and I know I will. But I...I don't want to be the daughter of a Daedric Prince. I didn't ask for any of this." Elyntine stopped and began rubbing the back of her neck with her hand. "I know I sound ignorant," the Dunmer said. "I mean, plenty of people would want this power, to fight the Marukhati. And it's not as though I haven't fought in the past...I don't know. I feel so unsure."

Despite himself, Sebastien smiled softly. "I know," he murmured. "I know. If what Singer says is true, then...well. It certainly has implications, doesn't it?" He laughed. "Could you imagine! I am the youngest, you know. Then my mother would have...and my father..." He shook his head. "It couldn't be. In High Rock, in a noble family, that would be a scandal with - well, she would never," and he said so more fiercely than he intended, "but if so...it would be unacceptable. Unimaginable." Sebastien paused, regathering his composure, and released a small sigh. "So, no. You do not sound ignorant. I don't want to do this, either. But I won't stand idly by while people are threatened, either, if I know I might stop it...and I will simply have to pull my strength from that."