Inigo awoke with a groan, stretching languidly atop the plush linens that adorned Jarl Laila's guest quarters. The Jarl insisted on only the finest for those residing upstairs, a small comfort in these trying times. As the Khajiit's eyes fluttered open - once, twice, thrice - he absorbed the chill of his surroundings. Nearby, and perhaps reassuringly so, stood Illia. She appeared to be less morose than when he'd last seen her, which warmed his heart to see.

"Ooog... hello, and a very good morning to you!" Inigo bellowed with gusto. "Tell me, how does this fine morning stir your soul?"

Illia laughed quietly, finding humor in his words. She felt comforted to witness his return to the familiar joviality, cracking jokes - a vivid departure from the grim story he recounted upon his arrival. "I'm managing quite well, Inigo. Though a hint of sadness remains, pulling at my heartstrings, I accept that it may forever be a part of me. Nevertheless, I can welcome the day, despite its company."

Inigo gestured towards the edge of his bed, patting on the mattress as he curled into a seating position near the head of the bed, folding his legs inward. "Do you... want to talk about it? I am said to be an excellent listener! But not the Dark Brotherhood kind, do not worry."

Illia softly nodded, taking a seat on the end of the bed. She cleared her throat, "Inigo, the Daedra are ruthless creatures. I've... I've been running it over in my mind; what we experienced together at Darklight Tower. And... knowing that you've also had experiences with them..." she closed her eyes and sighed as the memories came flooding back like a broken dam. "Are they all as ruthless as Hircine? Capable of twisting and corrupting the hearts of all they touch?" She appeared to be worried for her own fate as well, given the fact that a Daedra was able to corrupt her mother like so.

Inigo shook his head, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "No. It is us who are capable of becoming twisted and corrupted. My friend Cura has encountered the Daedra in her quest, many times. And she rejected each of them, with impunity. I saw her talk down to Hermaeus Mora. Heh, heh. It was quite the sight to see! It is not every day you see someone talking to angry calamari."

Ilia snorted at his comment and began to giggle lightly into her right hand. The more she chuckled, Inigo became tempted to join her. His own jovial nature pushed him to laugh aloud in unison with the Imperial Mage.

"You're funny, Inigo." Ilia scoffed, remarking on his commentary. "Angry Calamari. Goodness."

Inigo scratched the fur on the side of his neck. "Are you worried that the Daedra may try to influence you, as well?"

Illia nodded, her face solemn. "Yes; it is a fear I've been struggling with. I know that Daedra can often take an interest in mortals who have had relatives in their service before."

Inigo's eyes widened. "Really?"

Illia nodded. "Yes. For example, if your great, great, great grandfather had made a bargain, or championed them once, they could take notice of you without your knowledge, so see if they could ply you for their own ends as well."

Inigo shudders. "I wonder how many Daedra Cura's Ancestors must have dealt with then. She has had quite the Rogue's Gallery following her. Meridia, Molag Bal, Hircine, Sheogorath, Hermaeus Mora, Vaermina... er..." Inigo halted his count on his second thumb. "Hmmm... oh! And of course, big red angryman who we have to deal with right now." A light gasp came from him. "Ah, yes! And Azura! But, I am willing to go off on a limb and assume it was because of me that my friends met Azura. After all, I am Khajiit."

Illia ah'd as she realized the meaning of his words. "That's right. Khajiit do have a tie to her, don't they?"

Inigo nodded, "Yes. Azura is considered the Divine Protector of the Khajiit, and the one who connects us to the Lunar Lattice. Well, this is what is said."

Illia smirked at the revelation. "Well, that might explain the blue fur," she mused, reaching out to gently poke his feline nose.

"Wah! That's not funny," Inigo complained, rubbing his nose, while Illia couldn't help but giggle at his reaction.

They exchanged a fleeting glance, then averted their eyes in shyness. Illia's cheeks flushed with color as she straightened up from his bed. "I'll let you get your armour on in private." She said, shifting her hood back over her head as she headed towards the door.

Inigo agreed, "Yes; if there are angry elves outside it is best to be well-protected." He was, of course, referring to the unprecedented presence of the Thalmor Agents, occupying Legion forces in the bustling streets of Riften. They were in Mistveil Keep, poring over the Map of Skyrim on the bottom floor. They decided it would be best to fortify the split roads on either side of Lake Honrich, as well as blocking off the entire midfields leading up to Shor's Stone. They would set booby traps on the mountain ledges and the Thalmor elected to position their mages on the mountains as well.

Times were changing, rapidly. Many of the denizens of the Rift felt the birthpains of a new conflict waiting to emerge. Mehrunes Dagon was humiliated in the fields of Eastmarch, and his forces defeated in the Pale, and it was only a matter of time before he came back swinging.

In the dimly lit chamber, surrounding the Hearthfire, the air was thick with tension as Lucien, Serana, and Vilja gathered to discuss the precarious situation at hand. The threat of Mehrunes Dagon loomed over them, a shadow that threatened to engulf their world in chaos and destruction. "I'm confident in my magical abilities, of course." he said dryly, "It's just... we have to fight alongside the..." he whispered firmly. "the Thalmor? I don't trust them as far as I could throw them." Lucien, ever the scholar, was wary of the Thalmor, his knowledge of history painting a picture of deceit and long-held desires for dominion.

Serana smirked as she gazed upon his slender form. "I'd wager not that far, then."

"Ha-ha." Lucien sarcastically laughed at her comment. "Well, my strength lies more in my wits, anyway. And my wits firmly state that they'll probably betray us the first chance they get, unless the Empire and Stormcloaks tread carefully! They're nothing but a bunch of black and gold asps."

Vilja nodded in agreement, "Lucien is right. You know what I think? I think they only agreed with this so they could have access to the Stormcloak Cities."

Lucien nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, exactly!" He turned in his seat as he weighed the situation warily. "The Thalmor are not to be trusted lightly," he began, his voice steady and measured. "Their history is steeped in deception and their pursuit of power often comes at the expense of others. Yet, apparently we must acknowledge that the Daedric threat surpasses any enmity between us. If their aid can turn the tide against Mehrunes Dagon, can we afford to reject it?"

Vilja, with her strong sense of justice and loyalty to her friends and to her fellow Nords of Skyrim countered passionately. "How can we consider an alliance with those who would hunt our brethren for their beliefs?" She acknowledged the fact that there were indeed Imperials who also followed Talos. "The Thalmor's treachery is well known, and they're frothing at the mouth to kill anyone who follows Talos. To align with them is suicide, and yet we're doing it anyway!"

It was Serana, the voice of reason in the midst of rising emotions, who spoke next. "The odds we face are insurmountable alone," she said calmly, her eyes reflecting the weight of their predicament. "Mehrunes Dagon is a Daedric Prince. We have to fight him with all we have. Every bit of power we can accrue, we have to use. The Thalmor's assistance, however dubious it may seem, may be our only chance at surviving this ordeal. We have to set aside past grievances and focus on the present threat. It is a gamble, but one that might save countless lives. I'm sure the Thalmor understand the threat. They did fight the Mythic Dawn in the past too, didn't they?"

"How can the Legion and the Stormcloaks ensure that the Thalmor won't betray us?" Vilja asked.

Lucien began, "Ensuring the loyalty of the Thalmor in any alliance, especially in a precarious situation such as a united front against Mehrunes Dagon and the Daedra, requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, establishing clear mutual goals and benefits from the alliance can serve as a strong foundation for cooperation. Both parties must have a vested interest in the success of the alliance, beyond the immediate threat." Lucien proposed, "Secondly, creating a system of checks and balances through the council where all actions and decisions are overseen and approved by representatives of each faction can deter unilateral decisions or betrayal. And I do believe our smart blue cat friend did just that, in Whiterun. It's up to Ulfric, Tullius, and Elenwen to decide how to approach this, now."

"Very comforting. I feel like Skyrim is in good hands." Vilja said with a tongue dripping with sarcasm.

Lucien continued, "Thirdly, in theory it would be prudent to draft a formal treaty outlining the terms of the alliance, including clauses that impose severe consequences for betrayal. This treaty should be publicly known to all members of the alliance to ensure transparency and accountability. I don't know if they did that. Inigo didn't expressly say it."

Serana shrugged her shoulders. "It doesn't matter. The death of all we hold dear seems a severe consequence in and of itself."

Lucien flipped his left ring finger as he continued outlining his points. "Fourthly, intelligence gathering and sharing should be a reciprocal arrangement, allowing each party to monitor the other's activities, which can help build trust over time. If the Legion is aware that the Thalmor are skulking the streets, searching houses, and if the Stormcloaks allow it, we have no foot to stand on with our grievances."

"Fifthly, engaging in joint operations and training exercises can foster camaraderie and mutual respect among the ranks, which can translate to a more cohesive alliance. My mother actually taught me that one. She said that was how the Legion trained their Soldiers from across Colovia and the Niben Bay. It was a way to ensure that Cyrodiil would stay on the same page, even though cultural tensions exist." Lucien continued, "Sixthly, it's important to recognize and address any grievances or historical conflicts that may exist between the factions, possibly through a reconciliation process or reparations. Inigo did this, at the council. I'm not worried about that matter too much. It's more shifting attitudes that perturb me."

Serana laughed, "Imagine how it's felt for me, having been asleep through all the changes?"

"Seventhly, involving neutral third parties as mediators or observers can provide an additional layer of assurance and impartiality. Our boy Inigo, naturally." Lucien tried to recall the rest of the procedures the Lgion used to form alliances, and he settled once they came to him. "Eighthly, regular diplomatic meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and strategies can help maintain open communication and prevent misunderstandings." he gestured towards the war room, which was inside the Keep proper. "Jarl Laila, the Thalmor, and the Imperial Captain are doing that right now."

Serana nodded. "And what other techniques would the Empire employ? What if there's a Red Herring, or... maybe a lone wolf trying to sabotage an alliance from within?"

"Well... Ninthly, it's essential to have contingency plans in place should the alliance falter, including potential sanctions or military responses. I believe in General Tullius' leadership. I have no doubt in my mind that he has something in place, somewhere." Lucien proclaimed his faith, hoping it wasn't misplaced. "Tenthly, cultural exchange programs could help bridge the gap between the factions, promoting understanding and reducing prejudice. Unfortunately, the closest thing we have would be direct contact between the various racial groups here in Skyrim. And I'm sad to say that... well... it hasn't gone so well for the most part. Though I do have hope. There does seem to be a shift in the air since it was revealed that Cura was the Dragonborn. She was, you could say, Skyrim unified. Daughter of a Stormcloak, Dragonborn tied to the Blades of the Empire. Nord, and Altmer, best friends with Aedra, Daedra, Khajiit, Imperials, and even Vampires. A Vigilant of Stendarr, a Champion of Meridia. A walking contradiction, and yet it makes perfect sense."

Serana smiled, "Cura really was something else."

"Gosh, Lucien. For a wizard and scholar, you seem to know a lot about politics." Vilja chuckled as she plucked her lute strings.

"I'm an Imperial. It's one of our many strengths. Governance, Speechcraft, and Commerce." Lucien beamed proudly. "Anyways, lastly, it's crucial to maintain a strong independent defensive capability, so that reliance on the Thalmor isn't absolute, thus reducing the potential impact of any betrayal. While no strategy can guarantee absolute fidelity, these measures can significantly mitigate the risk and encourage a more stable and productive alliance against common foes." He clasped his hands behind his back. "I think the Dragons would fall under that category, under Paarthurnax."

Serana nodded in response. "You're right, Lucien. And I'd argue we could count on the Companions, Dawnguard, the Vigilants, and the College for a strong independent defensive capability as well. I mean, the Dawnguard are helping fortify the Rift, but the others stand on their own as well. Skyrim has more allies than the Thalmor do."

"The College of Winterhold contributes a wealth of magical knowledge and arcane power. The mages and scholars within its walls have access to spells, wards, and enchantments that could be pivotal in shielding cities, closing Oblivion gates, or even countering the magic of Dagon's minions." Vilja stated. "Why can't we go there and have them close the Oblivion Gate?"

"Because I have no idea where they are. They fought Dagon's Forces in the Pale, but... we know how that turned out." Serana stated. "For now - we'll just focus on what we have going on in front of us. I'm sure they'll come back up soon."

Lucien scratched his chin. "Gods... sometimes I just wish Dagon would just attack already. Then we could get the obscenities over with."

Vilja whipped her head in his direction. "Do you really want that, Lucien? Doesn't seem like a smart idea to me."

Lucien sighed. "You never know how it's going to end. We could emerge on top, or... we'll all be crushed." He pulled himself up from his seat and walked towards Wylandriah's Chambers. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to brush up on my magic."

Vilja nodded, "And I'm going to practice my sword arm." She raised herself and headed out of the front doors to reach the courtyard.

Inigo and Illia descended the stairs, and he greeted Serana. "Ah, good morning, Serana! My Daedrically-influenced, yet kind-hearted friend!"

Serana stared at him blankly, her flaming eyes burning red and orange under the dim torchlight. A small smile made its way on the corner of her mouth, and a fang was exposed. "Why, hello, Kitty Cat. I haven't had breakfast yet. Would you like to come over?"

"Err... no." Inigo responded, shifting nervously next to Illia.

Serana walked up closer with the grace of a black panther. "Oh, no?" Her eyes flashed for a moment when she came in close. After a brief pause, she pulled back. "I was thinking of stopping by the Bee and Barb. The Mead is to die for."

Inigo's expression lost its tension. "Oh...? Ahhh. Heh heh heh. Okay, Serana, you had me there for a second."

Serana tapped him on the shoulder. "We've been over this, Inigo. I have no interest in sucking your blood. If you were a bandit, however, that would be a different story."

Illia stepped closer and studied Serana's face. "Oh! You're a vampire?"

Serana nodded, "I am. But I'm not the kind that you're thinking of. I have no interest in your blood. I only bite bad people. As far as I can tell, you're not a bad person."

Illia nodded, relieved. "Honestly, you do an excellent job fitting in. I would never have guessed it if I didn't focus on your eyes. I would imagine a creature of Molag Bal to be anything but what you are."

"Illia, the Daedra are beings of immense power and often, questionable intent. Their influence can be as subtle as a whisper or as blatant as a storm," Serana said, her voice steady. "There are many Vampires and Werewolves that walk among the common world every day and nobody notices. Many people fall to the temptation to become like me for great power and immortality - but they have to take care around mortals."

Illia nodded slowly, her thoughts clearly troubled by the weight of those words. "But how does one safeguard against such power? To resist manipulation and retain one's free will?" she asked, seeking counsel in the dim light of the flickering torches.

Serana, with a grace that belied her vampiric nature, stepped forward. Her experience with the Daedric realms was personal, and her assurance came from a place of understanding. "Illia, remember that our will is our own. The Daedra may try to sway us, to entice us with promises or threaten us with fears, but they cannot take what we do not give," Serana spoke with a calm certainty. "The strength of your spirit, the resolve in your heart, these are the fortresses that will protect you," Serana continued, her gaze locked with Illia's. "I have walked through darkness and faced the temptations of the Daedric Princes. Yet, here I am, not as a puppet, but as a master of my own destiny."

Inigo nodded in agreement, his admiration for Serana's resilience evident. "She's speaking the truth, Illia. We're not defenseless. Our knowledge, willpower, and the trust we share are our armor against such dangers. I would entrust Serana with my life, despite her occasional mischief."

Serana chuckled again, relishing in the fear she struck him with before. "Yeah; some Daedric tendencies will always be there. Sorry."

Illia, taking a deep breath, seemed to absorb the collective wisdom of her companions. "Thank you, both of you. Your words, they bring light to shadows I feared were impenetrable," she said, a newfound resolve brightening her eyes.

The trio stood together, united not just by their quest, but by the shared belief in their own agency against the unseen forces that would seek to control them. And in that moment, they were more than just adventurers; they were guardians of their own fates, standing defiant against the Daedra. They elected to go their separate ways for the time being to train and hone their skills independently, until further notice.