"And the other threats facing this land?" Lianda asks.

"I'll stand with whoever against dragons and vampires and assorted other unsocial elements, of course," Aithne says, waving a hand dismissively. "Assuming they don't intend to use it as an opportunity to stab me in the back."

Lianda nods, and considers. She hasn't detected any falsehoods from Aithne - but that's hardly much. Lianda knows she tends to take people (except her sister) at face value, sometimes to her benefit, sometimes not. And Aithne has effectively stated her current neutrality won't last if the Empire pushes it - and knowing them, especially given the fact that Aithne did seize the city with violence, they're not going to let her conquest lie. Jarl Elisif seems inclined to try to find a diplomatic way forward, but Lianda's never known a less martial leader. She doubts the other Jarls or the Emperor will let Markarth's current situation stand.

"If you have no questions of me, I would like to talk with the people here," Lianda says.

"I presume you won't leave the city without notice. I will know how to find you, if questions arise," Aithne says, standing. "Come, I'll have my guards escort you out - unless you wish to talk to the court wizard right away? I let him stay on, and I'm sure he has plenty of complaints about me."

Lianda hums, and considers it.

She decides that, while the court wizard might not be a bad person to talk to eventually, she needs to speak to Maeghin first. He'll know more about the inner workings than anyone else liable to talk to her, and knowing him he won't be unreasonably loyal.

Lianda smiles at Aithne, says, "The offer's appreciated, but I'd like to catch up with an old friend, first."

"Very well," Aithne says. "You're welcome to return at any time. Though I can't promise I won't be busy."

"I'll make an appointment next time. Thank you for your hospitality today." Lianda nods to Aithne as she's dismissed and led out.

Maeghin is waiting by the entrance, speaking to one of the guards in a low voice. He straightens when he sees her. "I'll take her from here," he says to the guards, then turns to Lianda. "So. Meeting went well?"

"As well as could be expected. I thought you were supposed to return to your duties?" Lianda asks, raising an eyebrow.

He snorts. "Technically, escorting potentially dangerous strangers around the city is a guard-duty." He starts walking, and she falls into step with him. "So. I still owe you those drinks. Where to?"

She hums. "I'd been initially thinking the Silverblood Inn, assuming it's still the best place to listen to gossip, but a more private conversation first might not go amiss. There's some things I need to talk to you about." For one, warning him she has an assassin after her is only neighborly.

"Well, that restaurant you liked is still open," he says, musingly. "Though they were a bit miffed to find out I was Forsworn the whole time."

"Maybe not somewhere with a grudge, for now," Lianda says, shaking her head.

"That's going to exclude basically everywhere. People don't like change, even when it's for the better. And even the Talos worshippers aren't sure about us heathens." He shrugs. "But I also don't mind getting take out. There's some good views up in the mountains, and the guards don't yell at me for climbing them like an idiot anymore."

She snorts, and nudges him with her shoulder. "Like an idiot? I need to introduce everyone who's ever called me reckless to you."

Maeghin laughs. "I'll gladly serve as an example for the pinnacle of bravery." He leads the way to a street-side place that offers hot pastry shells stuffed with assorted fillings - meant for workers most likely.

Lianda being there seems to soothe the nerves of the people serving them, and soon enough she and Maeghin are off, climbing into the mountains. They keep their conversation to inconsequentials - mostly Lianda telling the story of how she ended up as Meridia's Champion - until they've gotten past the last guard outpost and into the goat trails leading up to the ridge.

Maeghin seems to have already discovered a particular outcropping he likes, because he leads Lianda right to it, then flops down on the rock. It truly is a wonderful view from up here, especially if you don't mind heights. "So," he starts. "This whole mess."

She sits beside him. Not as close to the edge as he is, though. "I thought claiming the Reach was your people's great goal?"

He groans. "It is. Was. Just. Aithne's brilliant, but I'm not sure she's the best. But I don't know who would be." He levers himself up to rest on his elbows. "She isn't really accepting advisors, not even that spy of hers. Which is… Understandable, the elders are all asshats, but it's nontraditional, and she should be listening more to the guards and the sort. I'm not sure she'll be able to do best as a leader without taking advisors from the Nords and such, either."

"Unfortunately, I don't think I'll have much influence to convince her otherwise," Lianda says, sighing. "This is a tough situation you guys have put everyone in, too. I didn't like the last Jarl, don't get me wrong, but - I don't want this area quagmired in war. And I'm fairly sure this isn't something anyone will stand for. The Empire isn't tolerating the Stormcloaks, and they have more in common with them. Ulfric wants the Reach. The Thalmor will be angry about this."

"Yeah. I know. Preparing our defenses is slightly my job." He huffs. "I think the hope is that Skyrim's current state will be enough of a distraction to entrench ourselves, and then that we'll be able to push for a truce in the face of all the threats. Skyrim's been splintered before, and we won't be the first violent transfer of power."

Lianda hums. "Peacefully would be the best way to resolve this. But I'll need to think on what that is."

He nods. "But you didn't want to talk to me just to commiserate about politics, did you?" he asks, gaze shrewd.