The journey to Blacklight was met with little interruption despite intermittent ash storms. Since seceding from the Empire, the Dunmer people appeared to be in higher spirits. As Kelran and Sorvayn had traveled the great distance between Mournhold and Blacklight, they had witnessed greater morale in the citizens, queues at recruitment centres leading so far as to out of the building and farmers working tirelessly in fields that once again bore the colour green. Morrowind was a changing nation, and the Great Houses changed along with it.

Kelran stood at the foot of the Rootspire, the new seat of government for the Dunmer Grand Council. The building was not quite as grand as the White-Gold Tower in the Imperial City, but other than the various temples to the Reclamations, it was the most luxurious and ornate structure in the province. The Rootspire was a large conical building with a flattened top founded at the summit of a tall rock formation in the centre of the city, which was also the centre of the port. Blacklight held a horseshoe shape with the various districts running along the outside with the port at the base. The fact that the Rootspire was surrounded by water only added to its grandeur. Highly decorated elven guards patrolled the streets of Blacklight as more of an effort to show off to diplomats and tourists rather than for any practical purpose. Kelran noted how busy the city was right now, also eyeing up the various Dunmer coming and going from the Rootspire with their entourages.

"I take it the Grand Council expects us?" Kelran asked as Sorvayn returned from the barracks of the Redoran city guard. Sorvayn nodded and looked up the steps to the Rootspire.

"Indeed. The High Inquisitor is here too, though that comes as little surprise. Your uncle is always one to keep a close eye on operations." he said dryly.

Kelran understood his meaning. The High Inquisitor, Erdelas Arathi, was a veteran of both war and subterfuge. Having served with House Redoran against the Argonian invasion and rooted out both Thalmor and Shadowscale operatives from various Dunmer cities, he had a keen eye for detail and change. Respected though he was, Erdelas was not the most heartfelt of mer, leaving much to be desired on the family front.

Kelran sighed and nodded before they started up the steps together, removing their masks and lowering their hoods. As they ascended, Kelran caught a glimpse of a long scar running from behind Sorvayn's ear to the back of neck. He would have to ask him about that at a more appropriate time, for now they needed to remain focused on what lay ahead. At top of the stairs, they both stopped and Kelran heard Sorvayn curse under his breath.

Directly ahead of them by the great doors to the Rootspire were three other inquisitors, two of them masked and standing quietly while the third talked at length with an Imperial diplomat.

"That isn't Ranerath is it?" asked Sorvayn with a groan.

"Unfortunately." replied Kelran, approaching the inquisitors who then turned to greet them.

"Ah! Kelran and Sorvayn, it's about time you arrived. We've been standing out here for hours waiting for you. Really, it's been too long!" said Ranerath, the Dunmer who now completely ignored the Imperial he was previously talking to.

"If only it could have been longer…" said Sorvayn quietly, but still loud enough for Kelran to hear.

"Kelran, your uncle- I mean, the High Inquisitor, is inside. He's currently seated with the Grand Council; all of them are present besides House Hlaalu." continued Ranerath, addressing Kelran only.

"Hlaalu's absence is a pleasant surprise. Thank you, you're dismissed." said Kelran. The three inquisitors bowed, turned on their heels and left down the steps of the Rootspire. Sorvayn often forgot that Kelran was actually quite high up the chain of command for the Inquisitors of Resdayn, though it was an easy thing to do so when there was very little distinguishing each of them by rank.

Kelran and Sorvayn continued on to the Rootspire which they now walked in awe of, gazing up at its large decorated archways set into the side of the structure, accented with Daedric runes. To the untrained eye, this would just seem like another temple. As they approached, two Redoran guards rushed to open the great double doors before they reached them, allowing them unimpeded entry.

The hall of the Grand Council was not too dissimilar to that of the Elder Council. A wide ring of tabled seats surrounded a central dais upon which speakers would stand. The Grand Council was a meeting between representatives of the Great Houses of Morrowind: Houses Redoran, Telvanni, Indoril, Dres and Sadras. House Hlaalu's position as a Great House had been overtaken by House Sadras during the Oblivion Crisis, but in the past few years they had been given permission to attend the meetings of the Grand Council even if their voice would be met with disdain and disgust. Each of the seats were filled by the representatives of the Great Houses, each Dunmer clad in their respective garments and with a personal bodyguard standing shortly behind them.

Sat at the edge of the Grand Council was High Inquisitor Erdelas Arathi, an elderly elf whose white hair and beard only added to his stern demeanor. The High Inquisitor, as expected, was clad in the ebony plated robes of the Inquisitors of Resdayn, only his were even more ornate and decorated than normal. Black and gold cloth lay beneath ebony plates which bore dancing golden runes of light. When Kelran and Sorvayn entered, the old mer's eyes narrowed on his nephew as the Grand Council grew to silence.

One Dunmer rose to his feet as the two inquisitors approached the central dais, his arms wide.

"Welcome to the Rootspire, inquisitors. The Grand Council has been assembled at the Order's wishes." he said with a proud and welcoming voice.

Kelran recognised him as Serus Lenith, the main representative of House Redoran. Sorvayn cleared his throat in preparation to speak.

"Councillors, we have come to speak to you on a matter of dire urgency. We have discovered the existence of the fabled Aedric artifact known as the Soul of Trinimac."

"Then where is it, inquisitor?" asked the representative of House Dres, frowning deeply.

"That is why this is an urgent matter." spoke Kelran, taking the centre of their attention. "I found the Soul in Skyrim, but it appears that the Thalmor were as crafty as ever. They allowed me to take the Soul of Trinimac and then ambushed me and left me for dead, taking the artifact after I had done all the work for them."

A line of murmuring and doubt passed along the Grand Council until Erdelas stood.

"I have read the report that Inquisitor Marethi sent along before their arrival. The Thalmor have also been involved in locating and disrupting our other groups across Tamriel. Two of our inquisitors in the Imperial City managed to secure an agreement with the Elder Council however, so we know the Empire won't delay us in our search for the Soul of Trinimac and any other Aedric artifacts."

"The Thalmor and the Aldmeri Dominion are an ever present issue and thorn in our side." said Sorvayn. "Their attention may be on the Empire primarily right now, but everybody knows the story of how we came to be the Dunmer. The Altmer of Summerset are even longer lived than we are, and they are not quick to forget. Something must be done before they make their move on us."

"We are not prepared to start a war with the Aldmeri Dominion, Inquisitor Marethi. We don't have the men or resources yet-"

"Isn't that more to the point?" said the representative of House Indoril, cutting off Lenith's words. "We are not prepared for a war. It will take a while before Morrowind fully adjusts to the secession of the Great Houses, and the land is finally starting to return to what it used to be before the Red Year. Does the Dominion care about the state of our economy and military? Of course they do, and right now, we are ripe for the taking." the Dunmer got to his feet and looked between each of the councillors and the inquisitors in session. "Indoril Nerevar was the greatest hero of Morrowind. Not only did he save Morrowind once, but again with his reincarnation, the Nerevarine. Before the Nerevarine left for Akavir, he wanted me to promise him that the Grand Council would remain logical in its governance and stay true to the teachings of the Reclamations. The Thalmor and its Aldmeri Dominion are the greatest threat to the Dunmer we have seen since the Oblivion Crisis. They despise our very way of life, our existence." he stared at Serus Lenith, "I implore House Redoran. Lead us again. Aid the Empire, give them whatever we can. A new great war is on the horizon and we would not be doing our people justice if we left ourselves out of the fight against the Altmer. If not for our survival, then for the Three."

Kelran and Sorvayn looked at each other after the representative of House Indoril sat back down. The rest of the Grand Council appeared more determined and proud than before, surer in their ability as Dunmer. Serus Lenith slowly straightened and addressed the inquisitors in the centre.

"The Great Houses of Morrowind recognise the threat of the Aldmeri Dominion thanks to Heral Indoril's strong words. We will aid the Empire if ever the next war comes and we will also provide full support to the Inquisitors of Resdayn. We can all agree that the possibility of the Thalmor making use of these Aedric artifacts does not sit well with anybody, and so in return we ask of you, Kelran Arathi. Take back the Soul of Trinimac from our enemies. Ensure that it is never once used and save Tamriel from destruction."

Kelran's heart thudded at the order given to him. He knew that it was unlikely that the Great Houses would publicly go against the Aldmeri Dominion and therefore he would have to act against it himself with his comrades, but to have the expectations of the Grand Council bearing down on him? Stopping the march of the Aldmeri was no small task, but there was nobody left in the world who could do it. The Dragonborn had disappeared, the Champion of Cyrodiil had passed away and the Nerevarine had not been heard from in over two hundred years. Kelran took a deep breath and bowed before the Grand Council.

"I am duty-bound to serve the Great Houses, councillors. I will do everything in my power to protect Morrowind."

"You need not bow before us, Kelran. Your willingness to stand against an empire demands both the admiration and respect of us and everybody you meet. We honour you." said Lenith, bowing towards him.

Kelran's eyes passed over each of the councillors and they bowed to him in turn. Even Erdelas Arathi, the High Inquisitor, bowed before him.

Soon after, Kelran and Sorvayn left the Rootspire, immediately making towards the closest inn. Together they sat at a table, surrounded by positive gray faces and drinking sujamma, a sweet Dunmer beverage made from sujamma berries. Tonight felt like a last reprieve before pushing back headlong into an immense undertaking. The inquisitors were glad for their drinks for it calmed the incredible nerves they would likely be experiencing otherwise.

"So...two inquisitors against the Dominion. Not an intimidating thought at all." said Kelran quietly and sarcastically, sipping his drink and leaning forward against the table.

"Actually…" Sorvayn began awkwardly, "I won't be joining you for this. At least not yet."

Kelran's heart sank even lower. He knew the mission was of paramount importance, but to go about this alone? That was simply not possible.

"May I know why, Sorvayn?" he asked calmly.

The dark elf sighed and looked at his friend with regretful eyes.

"The argonians are beginning to stir trouble on the southern border again. It's likely nothing major, but House Redoran wants an inquisitor to make sure of that, so they assigned me to the duty."

"I see." said Kelran, looking at his mug.

"I'm sorry, my friend, but I cannot go against-"

"I know. Do not think on it. I will manage on my own for the time being just fine."

Kelran's words seemed to sting Sorvayn, but the dark elf worked well to try and hide it. He knew that it wasn't Kelran's intention to do so, and so in these cases it was always ignored in the end. They sat in silence while the bustle of the inn gradually subsided as the night grew towards dawn. Finally, Sorvayn spoke again.

"Where will you go first? We don't know where those Thalmor agents will be by now."

Kelran had spent the entire night thinking about such things and yet he still wasn't definitive with his answer.

"The Thalmor will likely be making their way to the Summerset Isle and will at least be in Valenwood by now. I won't be able to simply chase them down...it's too late for that." he replied, slowly scratching his chin with his thumb while in thought. "Either way I'll need to find a way through Elsweyr and Valenwood before reaching the Summerset Isle. I would be in enemy territory the entire time."

"You'll need to drop the inquisitor's robes then. A Dunmer they might only look at oddly but one in those robes will be attacked on sight." stated Sorvayn to which Kelran nodded. As usual, his friend was right in his thinking. The rest of the night was quiet for the two Dunmer, idle conversation passing between them like a faint wind. This was indeed a final reprieve; a moment of normalcy in a soon to be torrent of chaos.