Mereavus shrugged both shoulders, continuing to head out of the courtroom. Really, she was also surprised, but she supposed trust came in rather large handfuls when one had properly served for fifteen years.<br/><br/>"They band together or become suspects," she answered. "They have little choice if they want to avoid the Rack."<br/><br/>She knew the mentality. If she had to force them together she would. All they had to do was be nice for a little while until someone found something of merit.<br/><br/>"Speaking idealistically, their patriotism ought to band them together without the threat; finding the Empress is more important than petty land squabbles that their ultimate grandfathers began over a stray sheep. But, idealism rarely works, so instead I'm quite happy to dangle a threat over their heads. The Emperor's wrath will be great if they refuse to form a suitable search soon."