No one really knew when Mordaine appeared, or where she even came from.

Silent and from the shadows, she made her way to the head of the clan, her talons clacking quietly against the cool rock of the cavern they'd taken refuge in, her gait delicate and deliberate, letting the golden amber of her eyes peer through the thick haze of dark.

Emeritus stood tall, eyes narrowed carefully at this sudden visitor; a small smirk worked it's way across her lips as she stared, her resolve unwavering. He couldn't quite make out her form while she stared from the darkness, but knew she was small; had he needed to silence her, it'd be of little consequence. Several minutes of staring followed a deep exhale from the clan leader, finally beginning to speak.

"Who are you to trespass on these lands, and assume stance in front of me?"

Mordaine kept her gaze on the formidable guardian, letting the silence between them lengthen, and the feathers of her wings graze across the floor.

Then she laughed. An even, hollow laugh that rang around the cavern and vibrated loose stones.

"It matters not," she chided with a smile, her singsong voice following a small laugh. Emeritus frowned, his brows furrowed in anger, and snarled at her.

"Speak! Or I will free you from your flesh where you stand!" His booming voice shaking the walls and shaking a few pebbles loose. Stepping forward and into the light, she continued to giggle, mocking the guardian with every passing second.

Emeritus' claws dug into the stone as he began to descend, approaching her quickly with a single purpose.
"Do you really think," she breathed "That She cares about your facade? That They do not see right through you?"

With that, he'd heard enough. Using all his strength, he struck her down then and there, silencing her further taunts. A paused followed the attack, making sure it was final. A snort escaped him in a final taunt, but he began to think about her words.

No, he would never be found out, never be discovered. Of this he was sure..so who, then, was she referring to? The Plaguebringer? Though, he supposed it didn't matter anymore.

He shook his head and paced away, preparing to call for the medic to carry her away.

That small laugh came from behind him. Taunting.

Spinning around on his heels, his eyes widened as he gazed at her, standing and uninjured. This only fueled his anger, and his surprise.

"Impossible! How are you standing!?"

Just the small smile followed his outcry, Mordaine sitting tall and keeping her eyes locked with his. Wrapping her tail around herself, she tilted her head to the right as she began to speak.

"You will give me refuge, and when I depart, you will not give chase. For as long as I remain here, you will extend me hospitality to the utmost degree, and I will accept nothing less," Mordaine then tilted her head to the left, and continued, "When I ask, you comply. If I need, you are to sacrifice whatever is asked. This is the only time I will state this to you, so heed it well."

He growled again, preparing to strike her a second time. A simple eliminate should suffice - he had never had trouble before.

"I will do no such thing, and you will be cleansed once again of your flesh and mortal form," he bellowed, stepping forward and rearing back on his hind legs. Tightening every muscle, he surged forward, preparing to crush her, "Pray your deity is listening!"
Emeritus came crashing down, the ground shaking from the sheer weight and power of the guardian.

When the dust settled, he saw the attack did nothing. It didn't even seem to ruffle her wings, and he watched her in disbelief with narrow, uncertain eyes.

That knowing smirk crossed her lips once again, her amber eyes shone bright with fire.

"Oh, Emeritus. Since when were you the one in control?"