ESO: The Legendary Kabah-Jo

by stabbykeith1985

For the last 5 years, Kabah-Jo, Eye of the Queen, war hero of the Dominion, and the Moon Hallowed, has been on a quest to save his family from slavery. Now, with the help of his many friends and allies, including Razum-Dar, the lead Eye of the Queen, and Shazah, Mane of the Khajiiti people and Kabah-Jo's love, he may have a chance. Rated T for now, may change with later chapters.

1. Chapter 1: Origins

ESO: The Legendary Kabah-Jo

Chapter One

Author's note: The present-day parts of this chapter take place just before my story, Two Moons Path: Aftermath, and lead into that story. This chapter also contains MAJOR spoilers for the Two Moons Dance Quest-line of Elder Scrolls Online, if you haven't completed that part yet, I STRONGLY recommend that you skip to the flashback until you have.

ORIGINS

6 Mid Year 2E 582

Despite the recent trouble it had been through, namely Javad Tharn's Daedric invasion that claimed many lives and many homes, the city of Dune was in the midst of a huge celebration. They were celebrating two major events, their victory over the Daedra, and the ascension of the Lunar Champion, Shazah, to the position of Mane. Both happened over a week earlier, and the festivities showed no sign of stopping anytime soon. This was a joyous occasion not just for the Khajiiti people, but the entire Aldmeri Dominion.

Of course, you wouldn't know it was a joyous occasion were you to see a certain black-furred, black striped, white-muzzled Khajiit sorcerer sitting alone at a corner table in the Walker's Rest Tavern, nursing a mug of Moon Sugar Rum. Kabah-Jo, Eye of Queen Ayrenn, Legate in the Dominion Army, leader of the Pride of Elsweyr Legion, and the Moon Hallowed. He was directly involved in quashing the Daedric invasion, and Shazah's ascension to Mane, but he was not in a celebratory mood at all. He looked around at all the happy people and ground his teeth in frustration. He'd put on a happy face when someone would come up to thank him or ask for an autograph, but privately he just wanted to rip out their spines. 'How can they be so jovial?' He thought bitterly. 'Don't they know what happened? Don't they remember there were two Lunar Champions?' Kabah-Jo had been in mourning for his friend Khali, the other Lunar Champion, ever since he was forced to strike her down in the Den of Lorkhaj in order to destroy the Dark Mane after it had possessed her, and he was absolutely certain Shazah, her twin sister and a woman Kabah-Jo had fallen in love with, hated him for it. To make matters worse, today was the anniversary of what may be the worst day of his entire life. The scars on his wrists burned from the memory, and he downed the last of his Moon Sugar Rum trying to douse that fire. When Kabah-Jo set down his mug, he found that somehow without him noticing, a Khajiit man with tan fur and a fiery red mane kept in a warrior's stripe had sat down across from him. He was Kabah-Jo's friend and lead Eye of the Queen Razum-Dar, he had that glint in his eye that always made the fur on Kabah-Jo's tail get all poofy, because that glint always meant that his life was about to get insanely more complicated for the foreseeable future. "Whatever it is Raz," Kabah-Jo sighed. "you'll have to find another Eye. This one wants no part in your crazy shenanigans this time. Not after everything this one has been through lately."

Razum-Dar leaned back in his chair, and rested his feet on the table. "Actually Kabbie, Raz was hoping to help you in your 'crazy shenanigans' this time."

Kabah-Jo blinked in surprise, he couldn't remember the last time Razum-Dar, or indeed anyone had offered to help him with his problems, at least not so openly. "And just what makes you think this one needs help?"

Razum-Dar looked around the room. "Every table in the tavern is crowded with happy, laughing people, celebrating the new Mane and the victory over Javad Tharn's Daedra. But here you sit, alone, under a cloud of gloom, anger, and despair hanging over this table like a Dark Anchor. Raz is certain your grief for Khali is a major factor, but he suspects something else is eating away at you as well."

Kabah-Jo sighed and looked into his empty mug, desperately wishing he could conjure up more Moon Sugar Rum as easily as he could conjure up a Winged Twilight. In five years, he had never told Razum-Dar the whole story of that dark day, perhaps it was time to rectify that. "Do you know what today is?"

"Loredas!" Razum-Dar answered with a grin.

Kabah-Jo chose to ignore the joke and push through. "It's the fifth anniversary of the day Dunmer slavers came to Khenarthi's Roost, and ripped this one and over three dozen others from their homes and families."

All the humor left Razum-Dar's face in an instant as he took his feet off the table and sat up straight. "Oh,yes," Razum-Dar said in a serious tone. "the anniversary of when Raz found you washed up on that beach is in a few weeks. This one nearly forgot."

Kabah-Jo folded his ears forward in sadness and shut his eyes tight. "What you don't know, is that among those three dozen were this one's sister, her husband," He let out a small whimper. "and her three cubs." Tears welled in his eyes and the scars on his wrists tingled fiercely.

"Your sister?" Razum-Dar said. "In the five years this one has known you, you've never mentioned you have a sister."

Kabah-Jo let out a long breath and looked Razum-Dar in the eyes. "Because for those five years, Kabah-Jo has been ashamed of what he had done to escape."

"And why would you be ashamed of your escape?" Razum-Dar asked.

Just then, the tavern wench walked past carrying a tray of empty mugs. "Hey girl!" Kabah-Jo said to the wench. "Two more Moon Sugar Rums over here!" He then gestured to Razum-Dar. "And something for Khajiit's friend as well!"

Razum-Dar looked to the wench. "Just an ale for this one, walker."

The wench nodded her head. "Right away Hallowed!" She then disappeared in the crowd.

Once the girl was gone, Kabah-Jo let out a sigh. "She's about Shellie's age." He said sadly.

"Who's Shellie?" Razum-Dar asked.

"Kabah-Jo's oldest niece." Kabah-Jo said with a sad smile. "Neshellie-Ma. This one loves his nieces and nephew dearly, but if he was pressed to choose a favorite, it would be her." He started to cry more freely, unable to hold it in anymore. "She was so smart, and so very gentle."

The wench returned with their drinks, and couldn't help but notice Kabah-Jo's state. Razum-Dar gave her a Gold Eagle, nearly twice the cost of the drinks. "Keep the change, and keep the drinks coming and there'll be more for you."

"Absolutely m'lord!" The wench said as she walked off, glancing back to the weeping Moon Hallowed, with a sympathetic look on her face.

Razum-Dar turned his attention back to Kabah-Jo. "So, what happened?"

Kabah-Jo downed half of one of his mugs to build up his resolve. "Kabah-Jo may as well tell you the whole story of that dark day. Maybe then you'll see why this one is ashamed of his escape."

Five years ago

6 Mid Year 2E 577

The moment Kabah-Jo set foot on the Mistral docks, he was greeted by the sights, sounds, and smells of his childhood home. It was always the smells that got to him, the salty sea air, the fish, both freshly caught and being cooked elsewhere in the city, and of course, the Moon Sugar. Every city in Elsweyr had the underlying scent of caramelized Moon Sugar beneath their other scents of course, but to Kabah-Jo the smell on Khenarthi's Roost just screamed "home" for him.

Kabah-Jo made his way to the city proper, passing between the enchanter's and the apothecary, following the path to the market square. The market was busier today than Kabah-Jo had seen in recent memory. Merchants of all kinds had set up stalls and tents to sell their wares, shouting to passersby, including Kabah-Jo. Cries of "Fresh fruit! Bananas, strawberries, and more! All freshly picked!" and "This one brings many exotic goods! From as far as the frozen wastes of Skyrim!" among others could be heard. A young Senche Khajiit woman stopped Kabah-Jo at her stall. "You there, walker!" The quadruped said with a typical merchant's grin. "Could this one interest you in some fine jewelry? All hand crafted by Khajiit's husband! A lovely set of earrings for you? A ring for your mate?" She then motioned her head to an amulet depicting two crescent moons, one copper, the other silver, representing Jone and Jode. "Or, perhaps you'd like to proudly display your faith in the Two Moons Dance with this lovingly crafted piece? Only six hundred gold, but since it would look so good with that Mages Guild robe, this one is willing to part with it for four hundred! What say you, walker?"

It was a very well-made piece, and Kabah-Jo was certain he could give it a very useful enchantment. "You've got yourself a sale Clan-Mate!" He paid her and put on the amulet.

The merchant's grin took on a more genuine appearance. "Ah! It suits you perfectly walker! You've made a fine purchase today! May you walk on warm sands!"

Kabah-Jo bowed his head. "Bright Moons light your path! Tell your husband he's an excellent craftsman!" Kabah-Jo left the market, then crossed the bridge out of town. He then followed the dirt road to his right that would take him to the Laughing Moons Plantation, and home. It was a lovely sunny day, the sky was clear, and a nice gentle breeze kept it cool. Kabah-Jo always loved coming home to Khenarthi's Roost, Dune was always so crowded, loud, and suffocating, but here it was so tranquil and relaxing, all the more reason he regretted that his duties with the Mages Guild prevented him from coming home more often than a couple of months in the summer. But this time, he had a solid three months to relax with his family, catch up with childhood friends, especially his friend with benefits, Ahtani-La. Perhaps he'd visit her tonight.

Kabah-Jo was in sight of the plantation when his sensitive Khajiit ears picked up the sound of three sets of footsteps running on the far side of the rise next to the path. As he approached the edge of the plantation, he caught a glimpse of three shadowy figures darting into a nearby bush, causing it to shake. Kabah-Jo knew an ambush when he saw one, so he unslung his crescent moon tipped staff and pointed it to the bush. "Khajiit knows you're there! So, come out, whoever you are!" Immediately, three Khajiit cubs jumped out of the bush. The oldest, a Suthay-Raht girl about twelve, looked very similar to Kabah-Jo, with black fur and even darker black stripes, but unlike him she had deep blue eyes instead of yellow, and her mane was auburn instead of black, and kept in a long braid that went down to her tail. The boy was next in age at ten, his broad shoulders, stubby tail, and similar height to the older girl gave him away as a Tojay variety, his fur was dark brown, but like Kabah-Jo he had black stripes, yellow eyes, and a nascent black mane that was too short to style. Last was a five-year-old Cathay girl with white fur, black rosettes, deep blue eyes, and no mane as she was too young to grow one. Kabah-Jo recognized the little Oblivion-raisers and, after dropping his staff to the ground, raised his hands in feigned distress. "Dark Moons! A ruthless band of marauders, come to rob this one of his valuables!"

The two older cubs laughed at the jest, but the little girl was clearly worried and ran up to Kabah-Jo carrying a Senche Lion cub plushie. "Uncie Bah, don't you remember us? We're your nieces an' nephew, Neshellie-Ma, Mahar-Ma, an' me, Khayshara-Ma!"

Kabah-Jo gave an exaggerated gasp. "What?! No! You're way too big to be little Khayshie!"

Again, Neshellie-Ma and Mahar-Ma laughed. "It's true! We growed!" Khayshara-Ma said. She then held up her plushie. "Look, this is S'Cratch! You gave him to me on my third birthday!"

Kabah-Jo stroked his chin and arched a brow. "Did this one now? Perhaps a closer look is in order." He then knelt down to her level and gave her a look over, while she stood at attention like a soldier being inspected by her general, causing Neshellie-Ma and Mahar-Ma to laugh even harder. "Why, it is you Khayshie!" He pulled her in for a big hug, which she returned. "I missed you so much!"

Khayshara-Ma gave Kabah-Jo a kiss on the cheek. "I missed you too, Uncie Bah!"

Kabah-Jo released Khayshara-Ma from the hug, picked up his staff, and slung it on his back as he stood up. "I missed all of you!"

Neshellie-Ma gave Kabah-Jo a hug. "We're so glad you're home Uncie Bah!"

Kabah-Jo held Neshellie-Ma by the shoulders to get a better look at her. "You really have all grown so much since I last saw you! Shellie, I'll bet you'll be as tall as me this time next year!" Kabah-Jo then looked to his nephew Mahar-Ma, who was just as tall as Neshellie-Ma coming up to Kabah-Jo's chin. As a Tojay, he was easily going to grow to be over a foot taller than him at least. "No hug from my only nephew? Don't tell me you've already reached that age where you're too embarrassed?"

"You get embarrassed when grandma hugs you." Mahar-Ma said defensively.

"Fair point." Kabah-Jo conceded. "How about a compromise then, we each give each other the same awkward half-hug your mother and I give each other?" Mahar-Ma reached around Kabah-Jo with his right arm, while Kabah-Jo mirrored the action with his left and both patted each other on the back. "There, not so bad, right? So, what are you guys doing out here? Visiting your grandma and grandpa?"

"Actually," Neshellie-Ma said. "we were watching the ship dock, and saw you on deck. We knew you'd come straight here, so we thought we'd surprise you, instead you caught us."

Kabah-Jo grinned. "Don't feel too bad, your little ambush would've worked on someone who doesn't spend most of the year in Reaper's March." He put an arm around Neshellie-Ma. "Come, you can walk me home, and catch me up on what you three have been up to." They continued along the path, that also marked the boundary of the plantation, towards home.

Khayshara-Ma showed that she had lost two teeth and how one of them was already coming back in. Mahar-Ma talked about how he was beginning to learn basic magic from his grandpa Jherohm-Jo, which led Kabah-Jo to ask Neshellie-Ma about her own magical studies. With great concentration, she conjured a small flame in the palm of her hand. "They're going well." She said as she playfully tossed the flame between her hands. "Those old notebooks of yours really helped a lot, thank you for giving them to me. I can almost do your fire juggling trick, but I just can't get the timing right."

Kabah-Jo couldn't hide how proud he was of his niece. "That is very impressive!" He gushed. "I was almost two years older than you when I could do it that well! I have no doubt you'll be stronger than me one day! I can certainly give you pointers while I'm here."

They reached home, it was a modest little stilt house in a quiet corner of the plantation. Growing up, Kabah-Jo couldn't wait to leave, now as an adult, he couldn't wait to come back every summer. Khayshara-Ma ran ahead and up the steps. When she got to the door, she started knocking rapidly. "Grandma! Grandma! Look who's here!"

A portly, middle-aged Suthay Khajiit woman with black fur, black spots, and yellow eyes opened the door. "Oh, Khayshie! What a wonderful surprise!" It was Kabah-Jo's mother, Nomah. She knelt down, and gave her granddaughter a big hug. "So, who's here that's got you so excited?" Khayshara-Ma pointed to her siblings and uncle, eliciting a gasp from Nomah. "Bah-Ma?" She asked, calling Kabah-Jo by the childhood nickname that always made him cringe. She quickly, for her, came down the steps and wrapped Kabah-Jo in one of her back breaking hugs. "You're home! We weren't expecting you for another month!"

Kabah-Jo hugged her back. "I finished my work with the Guild early Ma, and I'll be able to stay here an additional month this summer."

Nomah held her son by the shoulders. "Oh, that's fantastic! We should have a big family dinner tonight to celebrate your arrival!" She then looked to Neshellie-Ma and Mahar-Ma. "Neshie, go to the mayor's house, and bring your grandpa home as soon as he is able. Mahar, find your parents, and bring them here, we'll watch over Khayshie while you're both gone." Both cubs were off quick as a flash, while Nomah turned her attention back to Kabah-Jo. "Come, let's get you settled in. You must be tired after your journey." The three went inside the house. It had changed very little since the last time Kabah-Jo had been there, indeed since he was a cub, perhaps a little more cluttered with books. The whole house was a single room, his parents' bed was at the far end, in the center was a stone fire pit for cooking, surrounding the fire pit were various cushions and pillows for sitting, there were many bookcases along the walls, and to the right of the door was Kabah-Jo's little corner of the house, with a bedroll and small bookcase that held old books and toys from his childhood that his parents had kept. Kabah-Jo set his pack down by the bookcase, and leaned his staff in the corner. Nomah went over to the counter by the fire pit that served as a kitchen. "Just make yourself comfortable Bah-Ma, I'll get dinner started. I'm going to make your favorite tonight, Corinthe Corn Beef with Garlic Mashed Potatoes, so it'll take a while. Could you help me out and keep Khayshie entertained until Mahar comes back with Greshenibi and Ezzahn?"

Kabah-Jo was happy to spend time with his niece. He kept her entertained with his fire juggling, and using a Telekinesis spell to make a pair of his old toy dragons fly around the house in a mock aerial battle, which amused her to no end. A short while later, Mahar-Ma returned with his parents. Kabah-Jo's older sister Greshenibi, was an Ohmes-Raht Khajiit, a type easily mistaken for one of the human races, until you notice the obviously feline features such as a short coat of fur, pointed furry ears, sharp teeth, cat-like eyes and nose, and most obviously, a long furry tail. She had cloud white fur, with black stripes similar to Kabah-Jo's, yellow eyes, and an auburn mane that draped loosely over her shoulders. Her husband, Ezzahn was a Cathay-Raht, nearly half a foot taller than Kabah-Jo, he was almost the spitting image of his son Mahar-Ma, with dark brown fur, except he had black rosettes and the same blue eyes of Neshellie-Ma and Khayshara-Ma. Greshenibi rushed up to Kabah-Jo and, instead of their usual awkward half-hug, she gave him a back breaking hug similar to one of Nomah's. "It's so good to see you Bah-Ma!" Greshenibi said. "The island just isn't the same without you!"

Just as Greshenibi released Kabah-Jo from the hug, Neshellie-Ma returned to the house with a Tojay Khajiit man in his mid-sixties. He had cloud white fur like Greshenibi and Khayshara-Ma, black stripes, yellow eyes, and an auburn mane with gray streaks kept in a tight pony tail. He was Jherohm-Jo, Kabah-Jo's father. "Oh, Kabah-Jo! You are here!" He gave Kabah-Jo a hug and laughed heartily. "How are you? How are your studies at the Guild?"

"I'm fine father." Kabah-Jo said. "And my studies are going well."

Jherohm-Jo released his son from the hug. "And has anyone given you trouble? Because of me?"

"No one at Dune seems to know about Torval." Kabah-Jo said. "And if they do, they either don't know, or don't care about my connection to you."

Jherohm-Jo nodded. "Good, good. I would hate for you to suffer any more because of my mistake." He then smiled. "That's enough brooding for today. I'm sure we all want to hear about what you've been up to since you left."

While Nomah prepared dinner, the rest of the family sat around the fire pit discussing the notable events of the last few months. Kabah-Jo talked of his research, as well as how Reaper's March was becoming more dangerous almost every day. Once dinner was ready, Nomah was able to join in the conversation, and shared what had been happening on Khenarthi's Roost since Kabah-Jo left, such as the appointment of a new mayor of Mistral. After dessert, Greshenibi played her lute and sang for the family.

It was nearly the cubs' bedtime when Greshenibi and Ezzahn decided it was time to head home. Khayshara-Ma wanted Kabah-Jo to tuck her in, so he went with them to their house in Mistral, giving her a piggy-back ride the whole way there. After tucking in the cubs, Kabah-Jo told them a Khajiiti folktale about how Rajhin stole the secret of making fire from the gods. Once the cubs were asleep, Kabah-Jo took his leave of Greshenibi and Ezzahn. "Heading straight home Kabah?" Ezzahn asked.

"Actually, no." Kabah-Jo said. "There's a friend of mine I'd like to visit in town. If she's up for it at this hour."

"Oh? A 'friend'?" Greshenibi said with a sly grin. "This 'friend' wouldn't happen to be a certain merchant's daughter, would she?"

Kabah-Jo could feel his ears and cheeks heating up. "…Maybe." He said after a brief hesitation.

Greshenibi chuckled at her brother's discomfort. "Well, don't let us keep you. Give Ahtani-La our regards! Have fun!"

Desperate to get out of this most uncomfortable conversation, Kabah-Jo started putting some distance between him and them. "Yes, yes! Uh, see you tomorrow!" He ran off before they could say anything more embarrassing, and made his way to Ahtani-La's house on the outskirts of Mistral.

Once there, he climbed up the steps and knocked on the door. A few moments later, a beautiful, young Suthay-Raht Khajiit woman with tan fur, black spots, emerald green eyes, and a lustrous black mane decorated with colorful beads and a nightshade flower answered the door. Upon seeing Kabah-Jo, she immediately wrapped him in a big hug, and licked his neck and face with passionate Khajiit kisses. This was Ahtani-La, a very good childhood friend of Kabah-Jo's, who for years now had also been a friend with benefits. "You came!" She said breathlessly in between kisses. "I heard you were home, but I was starting to think you wouldn't come tonight."

Kabah-Jo returned equally passionate kisses. "Family matters. You know how it is." He looked inside her house. "Speaking of, your parents are away?"

Ahtani-La pulled Kabah-Jo into the house, closing the door behind them, and started leading them to her parents' bed as she continued to kiss him. "Papa is on a trade run to Hammerfell, he won't be back for a few days, and Ma is at the Temple of the Two Moons Dance for a service, she won't be back until morning. We have the house to ourselves all night!" They undressed each other and jumped into bed. Ahtani-La began kissing Kabah-Jo's chest, sending shivers throughout his body, while he fondled her breasts. She then reached down to his increasingly erect-.

Razum-Dar stopped Khabah-Jo right there. "Okay, Raz gets it! You had sex with her, this one doesn't need details!"

"Have it your way!" Kabah-Jo said after taking a swig of Moon Sugar Rum. "This one was going to be tasteful about it! Anyway…"

Afterward, Kabah-Jo and Ahtani-La cuddled together, purring loudly. She affectionately nuzzled into his chest. "I missed you so much!"

Kabah-Jo gave her a little kiss to the top of her head. "I'm sure it wasn't too bad. I know you have plenty of other guys with this arrangement to keep you busy."

She looked up at him with a quizzical expression. "What?" Then her eyes widened. "Oh, yes! Plenty of guys!" She then rested her head back on his chest. "Plenty, plenty, plenty." She muttered.

He was puzzled by her reaction. "Tani, is something-?" Kabah-Jo was interrupted by a sudden commotion outside. He got out of bed and looked out the window. "Dark Moons!" Behind the hills to the south was a fearsome orange glow lighting up the night. "Fire! The Laughing Moons Plantation is on fire!" He quickly gathered his clothes, and frantically put them on. "I have to see if my parents are all right! Stay here!"

Ahtani-La had already started putting her clothes back on. "Okay! Be careful!"

Kabah-Jo left the house and made a mad dash down the road to the plantation. 'They'll be okay! You'll get there, and they'll be okay!' He thought frantically as he ran past a number of people fleeing from the blaze. The sight that greeted him was horrifying, not because of the fire, but what started it. Dunmer slavers, they were dragging people out of their homes and tossing them into guar driven caged carts. The green glow on their victims revealed their immobilization by a paralysis spell. In a panic, he ran for home and arrived just in time to see his father get run through by one of the slavers.

"Damn fool!" The slaver said. "You just had to get involved!" Jherohm-Jo fell limp to the ground, and Nomah screamed in anguish as she was being restrained by another slaver. The lead slaver then looked to her. "We've no need for the old, so you can join him." Without hesitation, the lead slaver sliced open Nomah's throat, sending out a torrent of blood, and she dropped to the ground.

Kabah-Jo let out a primal scream of rage at the sight, drawing the slavers' attention. He then summoned a Clanfear from Oblivion. "TEAR THOSE GRAY-SKINS APART!" He commanded with a fury he had never known before. The vicious lizard charged in full tilt and knocked down the lead slaver's partner, then it jumped on top of him and started ripping out his intestines.

"BRELYN!" The lead slaver screamed before turning his attention to Kabah-Jo. "Vivec damn you! You damn cats don't know when to quit!" He charged Kabah-Jo, sword drawn, and let out a war cry. Before he could get close however, Kabah-Jo let out a torrent of lightning from his fingers, electrocuting and immobilizing the Dunmer, stopping only when he ran out of magicka. The lead slaver continued to convulse, as electricity danced around his body, until he vanished in a blue flash of light, leaving behind a smoldering pile of ash in his place.

Kabah-Jo ran to his parents. Jherohm-Jo was most certainly dead, but Nomah was still gasping for breath and choking on blood. He knelt down to her, it was bad, far beyond even a master healer's skill, she had minutes, maybe. "Mama!" He said, tears in his eyes.

Nomah reached a trembling hand to her son's face and smiled. "Bah-Ma? You're home! We weren-wer-we-." She coughed up blood, her hand fell limp to the ground, and the light left her eyes forever. Kabah-Jo hugged his mother a final time, and let out a strained cry.

At that moment, screams in the distance drew Kabah-Jo's attention. He looked up and saw another orange glow in the direction of Mistral. Slavers were attacking there as well! "Greshenibi. The cubs!" He had no time to mourn. He closed Nomah's eyes, then quickly ran into the house to grab his Inferno Staff, once he had it, he made a beeline for the city. He failed his parents, he would not fail the rest of his family. Mistral was a scene out of a nightmare. Fires blazed everywhere, there was sporadic but intense fighting between the guards and slavers, and caged Khajiit men, women, and children being loaded up onto longboats at the docks, presumably to be taken out to a slave ship out at sea. None of that was his problem, all that mattered was getting to his family and protecting them. He made it to Greshenibi's house to find his worst fear being realized, Greshenibi and Ezzahn were already loaded into a cage, and the cubs weren't too far behind. Kabah-Jo didn't waste any time, he cast Destructive Clench, which sent a Firebolt into the back of a slaver that was dragging Neshellie-Ma to the cage, sending him flying into a rock, killing him instantly.

"Damn it, we got a live one on us!" The leader shouted, he then looked to his two remaining companions. "You, keep loading up those slaves! You, get the spell flinger back here, now! I'll hold off this n'wah!" As his minion ran off, the leader drew his sword and dagger, and charged Kabah-Jo. Kabah-Jo sent his Clanfear to intercept, only to witness the leader throw his dagger into the Clanfear's eye, then deftly dodge the beast's flailing claws, and kill it with a powerful downward stroke of his sword.

"Shit!" Kabah-Jo cursed under his breath. As the leader pulled his dagger out of the corpse, Kabah-Jo began casting his Crystal Blast spell, but before he could finish however, the leader retrieved his dagger and, faster than Kabah-Jo could imagine, closed the distance between them. Kabah-Jo barely got his staff up in time to defend himself. He had to react, overreact even, beyond his skill just to keep his guard up against the flurry of strikes. Finally, he had an opening, rather than cast a spell, Kabah-Jo lashed out with his claws, swiping at the Dunmer's eye. The leader cried out as blood oozed out of his destroyed eye. Kabah-Jo took advantage of the new opening, casting Destructive Clench from his staff, launching a Firebolt into the leader's gut that knocked his weapons out of his hands, and sent him flying backwards. Now it was Kabah-Jo's turn to go on the offensive. He didn't bother to fully charge his staff's attacks, opting instead to cast weaker but faster bolts, not giving the leader any reprieve.

The leader dodged and rolled away barely taking more than a glancing hit, greatly frustrating Kabah-Jo. Suddenly, the leader shouted. "NOW! HIT HIM NOW!" There was a green flash from behind, followed by a strange numbness that spread from Kabah-Jo's back to his entire body, then it was as though all his muscles just died. He had been hit by the same paralysis spell as his family, it was over, he lost. He fell forward and hit the ground hard. "Get the damn suppressor shackles on him! Quick!" Kabah-Jo was rolled onto his back, one of the slavers put a pair of manacles with a faint blue glow on his wrists and chained them together. The moment they latched shut, Kabah-Jo could no longer feel his Magicka, it was as though there was a great void in his soul. Kabah-Jo had heard rumors that the Dunmer used such manacles on their slaves, but never believed them until now. The leader, now holding a cloth to his eye socket, stood menacingly over Kabah-Jo's vulnerable, prone form. In that moment, for the first time in his life, Kabah-Jo knew true, absolute terror. "A valiant, but ultimately futile effort, slave! If it wouldn't lower your worth, I'd take out your eye as well! So, I'll just have to settle for this!" He kicked Kabah-Jo in the head, and the world ceased to exist.

Date Unknown

Kabah-Jo awakened in stages. First, he was aware of a relentless buzzing in his ears, which gradually added a high-pitched ringing that blocked out all sound. Then he felt the most intense headache in his life, and it showed no sign of abating anytime soon. Then came a sharp, burning pain in his wrists, which was quickly followed by pains in his joints, back, neck, and culminating in a generally unending pain in every one of his muscles. His sense of smell was next to return, and he was immediately assaulted by the foulest odor he had ever encountered, he dimly recognized it as body odor, urine, and feces, but on a scale he didn't think possible, and judging from the damp sensation around his hips he was becoming aware of, he had contributed to the stench. The buzzing and ringing in his ears began to subside, and he could now hear moaning, crying, and yelling that became clearer as the noise in his head lessened. He was also starting to differentiate individual voices in the white noise, one was very close and he could almost understand it. He tried to move his head so he could better hear, this caused the voice to become more frantic, and now he was starting to pick out individual words. "Mumble, it, mumble, mumble, up!" It was a woman's voice, and familiar. He tried and failed to open his eyes, they just refused to obey him. He tried to speak, but all that came out was a raspy groan. The voice became more excited, and Kabah-Jo could almost understand whole sentences. "That's it! Mumble, to us Bah-Ma! Mumble, almost there!"

There was only one person left alive that called him Bah-Ma. "Gresh-Gre-Greshenibi?" Kabah-Jo rasped out.

"Thank S'Rendarr you're alive!" Greshenibi said. "We thought we would lose you!"

With great effort, Kabah-Jo forced his eyes open. It took time for his vision to clear, but eventually, he was able to make out Greshenibi in the darkness. She too was lying on her back next to him, they were on what appeared to be some kind of shelf. Just barely six inches above them was presumably another shelf with another row of Khajiit in the same position. Their manacles were chained and bolted to the shelf above them. They were packed so tightly together that they could barely move. "What's happening?"

"We're on a slave ship." Greshenibi tearfully explained. "They're taking us to Morrowind to sell us off like cattle."

Panic and fear rose in him. From what he knew of Morrowind, it was essentially Oblivion on Nirni. Endlessly erupting volcanic mountain ranges, ash choked wastelands, forests of tree sized fungi, and demonic Dark Elves. Kabah-Jo began desperately pulling on his chains, ignoring the pain of the too tight manacles cutting into his wrists, to no avail, they were too tightly secured. "Where are the cubs?"

"We're here!" A familiar voice to his left said. Kabah-Jo turned his head to the voice to see Neshellie-Ma packed in next to him. "I'm scared Uncie Bah!" She cried. "We're all scared!"

"Do something Uncie Bah!" Mahar-Ma said. "Please! I want to go home!" He started crying.

"Why are you crying Mahar?" Khayshara-Ma said. "Uncie Bah's awake now! That means we're going home now!"

"It's going to be okay cubs." Kabah-Jo lied, to himself as well as them. "I'm going to get us out of this." He continued to tug on his chains. "Somehow."

Kabah-Jo then heard a raspy laugh come from the shelf above him. "Khajiit said almost exactly the same thing to his cub when we were first taken." Said a voice from above. "This one hopes he was more convincing than that!"

"Just who in Oblivion are you?" Kabah-Jo snarled as he tugged on his chains.

"You in the future." The voice said. "Our village was one of the first hit on this voyage. This one too put on a brave face, and made bold proclamations of escape. In time, Khajiit came to accept his fate, as did the dozens upon dozens of doomed souls who came after, and as will you."

"And just how long have you been here?" Kabah-Jo asked as he tried pulling on the bolt itself.

"It no longer matters." The voice said.

"That long, huh?" Kabah-Jo said. "Well, there's one major difference between you and Kabah-Jo that you didn't consider. One that'll ensure this one's escape, his family's, and maybe even yours."

"And what difference is that Kabah-Jo?" The voice asked skeptically.

"You're not Kabah-Jo!" He stated matter-of-factly.

Another raspy laugh. "You are a bold one! If this one could still feel anything, he might actually be hopeful! It'll be a shame to see that fire go out."

Khayshara-Ma chimed in. "Just you watch you dumb snot brain! Uncie Bah is the bestest magician in the whole entire world! Even grandpa said so! If anyone can save us, he can!"

'Best magician in the world, she says.' Kabah-Jo thought. He couldn't help but smile at the praise, and learning what his father thought of his skill. If only he could use his magic, he could burn the wood around the bolt and pull it out. But with those damned manacles enchanted to drain his Magicka, it was nearly impossible. But it was his only real choice. He began to concentrate, trying to push through the barrier to his Magicka created by the manacles, trying to draw some amount, any amount of his Magicka, and guide it to his fingertips. He didn't need a raging inferno, just a little flame, not even a candlelight's worth, to work with. Time passed, he could feel something starting to happen. Finally, after what must have been hours, it worked! A little flame popped out of his index finger and stayed there. It took every ounce of strength to maintain it, but it was something. He held the flame to the wood surrounding the bolt, and it began to scorch. Fortunately, the collective stench of over a hundred Khajiit forced to defecate where they lie was overpowering the smell of the burning wood. He kept at it for as long as he could, stopping only when the slavers would come to jam funnels in their mouths and pour gruel and a swallow of water down their throats. He only slept once when exhaustion overtook him and he passed out, resuming his work the moment he awakened. Judging from the number of feeding times, and assuming they were fed once a day, Kabah-Jo had been working for eight days straight when it finally happened. The wood around the bolt had become gray and cracked. Kabah-Jo began pulling on his chains again, wiggling the bolt from side to side as he did so. The motions caused the manacles to deeply cut into his wrists again, reopening old cuts and creating new ones, blood trickled down his forearms, their fur still caked with the blood of earlier attempts. Ash fell on his face, making him cough fiercely, but he was elated, for the bolt was starting to give way. He ignored the agonizing pain in his wrists and kept pulling. It was half-way out! Just a little more! With a grunt, he pulled out the bolt, releasing a cloud of ash, causing him, Greshenibi, and Neshellie-Ma to cough loudly. He was still manacled and chained, but he was no longer bound to the ship. He pulled himself off of the shelf, and stood unsteadily in the aisle.

"Magnificent work Bah-Ma!" Greshenibi said. "Now what will you do?"

He was about to answer, when he realized he had no clue. "Shit! I was so focused on getting unbolted from the ship, I didn't think of what to do next!"

"Were Khajiit you," Said the voice that Kabah-Jo could now see was a Khajiit man. "This one would discreetly search the ship for the keys to our bonds. Then this one would start freeing anyone who could put up a fight, and commandeer the ship. Of course, that's just this one's humble opinion."

"This one thought you had no hope." Kabah-Jo said.

The Khajiit let out one of his raspy laughs. "That was before this face to face conversation." Just then, footsteps could be heard rushing down the stairs. "Oh, that lasted what, ten seconds?"

"I'm tellin' ya, I 'eard somthin' down 'ere!" A voice at the stairs said. Kabah-Jo tried to get back on the shelf just too late, as a pair of Dunmer had spotted him. They stood there staring at each other for a few moments, before one of the slavers shouted. "OI! A SLAVE IS LOOSE! SOUND THE ALARM! I'LL KEEP 'IM BUSY TILL THE GUARDS COME!" As his companion ran up the stairs, the remaining slaver charged Kabah-Jo, but he was no fighter. Kabah-Jo was able to sidestep the slaver, and wrap his chain around the slaver's neck. The slaver began gasping for air and flailing his limbs wildly as Kabah-Jo tightened his chains until there was a loud crunch, and the slaver went limp. Kabah-Jo let him drop to the floor to the cheer of the other slaves. But his victory was short lived as the ship's alarm bell started ringing and dozens of slavers could be heard coming.

"Bah-Ma," Greshenibi said. "you must listen to me. You have to get off this ship, forget about us and save yourself!"

"WHAT?!" Kabah-Jo and the cubs shouted in unison.

"It's the only way!" Greshenibi said tearfully. "You can't go wandering about the ship looking for keys! Not now! If they catch you, they'll lock you up even tighter than before, or kill you on the spot! It's too late for us, but you still have a chance! If you find something to float on, you just might make it to shore! Now go! Save yourself!"

Kabah-Jo was stunned. He couldn't believe it had come to this, it was like some kind of nightmare. "I-I-can't-I-I-I-just-!" He stammered, unable to even think.

"GO!" Greshenibi screamed at the top of her lungs.

Reflexively, Kabah-Jo ran up the stairs two steps at a time, with tears streaming down his face. The sound of the cubs begging him, pleading with him to come back would haunt his nightmares to this day. On deck, he could see it was night. The slavers were all scrambling in response to the alarm. As luck would have it, most were down below checking their "cargo", leaving a reduced presence up above, giving Kabah-Jo some breathing room. He desperately looked for something that would keep him afloat. The longboats would've been ideal, but they were far too big for him to move on his own. There were some loose planks, but he had grave doubts that they could support him. He found a barrel by the railing, it had a smell that made his eyes and nose burn. On the top, it said "Reaver's Choice Sujamma". Seeing no alternative, he put it on its side and rolled it off the deck and into the ocean. Just as he was about to jump in after it, he heard a loud "twang", and less than an instant later he felt a tremendous pain in his back, right shoulder, and chest, which completely knocked the wind out of him. He looked down, and saw a bloody arrowhead poking out of his chest. 'Well, that shouldn't be!' He thought, just before he tumbled into the ocean.

The shock of the frigid water instantly brought Kabah-Jo out of his daze, and he frantically swam up to the surface. When he burst through, he took a huge lungful of air, then searched desperately for the barrel, the pain of his wound a secondary concern compared to the greater danger he was in. He needed to find the barrel quickly, the manacles, chain, and bolt were weighing him down, making it difficult to keep his head above water. Finally, he caught sight of it and held on for dear life. He watched the slave ship, which he could see was called "Bloated Kwama", sail away from him, taking his family with it, until it disappeared over the horizon. When it was gone, he wept, for his family, for the pain of his wound, and for himself, as he realized he traded a fate that seemed worse than death far actual death. If he didn't die of blood loss, he would die of dehydration if it didn't rain, and even if it did rain, he would still starve to death. And all that was assuming he didn't get eaten by sharks or some other ocean predator. He was well and truly screwed.

Kabah-Jo's time at sea became one long blur. Time soon lost all meaning, especially after he began hallucinating and could no longer distinguish between reality and delirium. He saw visions of his family berating him for his failure and cowardice. He saw the gods, each one promising an eternity of unimaginable suffering for abandoning his family. Kabah-Jo reached the point where he just wanted it to end. He slipped off the barrel, and allowed the weight of his bonds to drag him down to the murky depths. He closed his eyes, and waited for the darkness to overtake him.

Kabah-Jo was lost in darkness, but he became aware of a noise. Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh. He soon realized, it was a sound he had known all his life. Whoosh. It was the sound of waves hitting a beach. Whoosh. More sensations came into focus. Whoosh. Cold. Whoosh. Wet. Whoosh. Great pain. Pain, not something a dead person normally experiences. He forced his eyes open, and saw that he was lying on a beach. He became aware of a new sound, the sound of boots crunching on gravel. Two feet came into his field of vision. Kabah-Jo looked upward to see a person shaped blob standing over him. "Well," The blob spoke with a Khajiiti accent. "you're much more interesting than the flotsam that normally washes up!"

Kabah-Jo tried to say something, but all he managed was a coughing fit that also aggravated his wound.

"Don't be so dramatic." The blob said. "You're only mostly dead. Though that arrow isn't helping matters much, taking it out now would likely cause more harm than good. Raz should probably get you away from the water before the tide comes in." Kabah-Jo felt hands grab hold under his arms. "Brace yourself, this will hurt." The blob began dragging Kabah-Jo away from the water, causing waves of intense pain to radiate out from his wound, making him scream and wake up fully. When it was over, the blob, which Kabah-Jo could now see was a Khajiit man with tan fur and a fiery red mane kept in a warrior's stripe, knelt to his level. "Still conscious walker? Impressive! Raz is going to get some help. Don't go anywhere!" This "Raz" character then ran off, and Kabah-Jo faded from consciousness.

Kabah-Jo awoke to a great deal of pain, and he began to groan loudly. "Dark Moons!" A woman's voice said. "You can't be awake yet!" A Khajiit woman about his mother's age held a bottle to his lips. "Drink this! Quick!" Kabah-Jo obliged, and felt numbness spread throughout his body. He then had trouble keeping his eyes open, and his mind became clouded. "There you go." The woman said sympathetically. "Just let it work. To think, it feels like yesterday Nomah was bringing you in for scraped knees, now you're coming in with an arrow in your back!"

Kabah-Jo then realized who she was. It was Burabba-Ko, a local healer from Mistral. That meant he was back on Khenarthi's Roost! "You're-!"

"Shush, cub!" She whispered as she stroked his mane. "Just sleep. Old Burabba-Ko will make you all better!" Kabah-Jo once again faded from the world. But sleep was no refuge, he was plagued with endless nightmares of his family being auctioned off to the highest bidders, miserably toiling in hard labor, and enduring horrible abuses. Kabah-Jo finally began regaining his senses after an eternity of these images running in a cycle. He could hear Burabba-Ko talking to someone. "-quite a bit of blood, but seems to be recovering. Thankfully, his fever broke a couple of nights ago, and his breathing and heartbeat have become more regular, Khajiit is certain he'll awaken today." She then chuckled. "But knowing him, he'll awaken when he damn well pleases."

Kabah-Jo then heard "Raz" speak. "Good! Be sure to bring Raz here as soon as he does. This one has much to discuss with him."

A dull ache in his chest and shoulder caused Kabah-Jo to groan. "Ah!" Burabba-Ko exclaimed. "Speak of the dro'm'athra!" She then stood over the bed with a warm smile. "Don't try to move too much, Burabba-Ko has healed the worst of your injuries, but you're still not fully recovered. How are you feeling?"

"Like this one was shot with an arrow." Kabah-Jo rasped, finding it difficult to speak. "How long?"

"Just over a week since Razum-Dar here found you." Burabba-Ko said, gesturing to the fiery maned Khajiit that now also stood over the bed with a strange glint in his eye that made Kabah-Jo uneasy. "It's a good thing he brought you to this one when he did, any later and you'd be dead now!" Kabah-Jo realized he could feel his Magicka flowing freely through him again and looked at his wrists. He saw that the manacles were gone, replaced by bloodstained bandages. "You have Razum-Dar to thank for that as well. He was able to pick the locks and get those manacles off. Unfortunately, they cut deep and repeatedly. There will be scars, perhaps for the rest of your life." A constant reminder of his failure for all to see. Wonderful.

"And how long since the attack?" Kabah-Jo asked.

"Nearly a month." Burabba-Ko said, her ears folding forward in sadness. "We all thought for sure you were gone forever. We lost over three dozen that night." Kabah-Jo was shocked. Over three dozen men women and children were ripped from their homes, it was the worst raid in the island's history. Razum-Dar cleared his throat. "Oh, yes." Burabba-Ko said. "He wished to speak with you once you were awake. This one will give you some privacy." She helped Kabah-Jo sit up before leaving. Once he was upright, Kabah-Jo could see he was in Burabba-Ko's house in Mistral, the smell of alchemical reagents filled the air. On a nearby table, Kabah-Jo's robes were laundered and folded neatly, with his new crescent moons amulet sitting on top. He couldn't believe it had been a month since he bought it, it seemed like an entire lifetime ago.

Once they were alone, Razum-Dar spoke. "Formal introductions are in order. This one is Razum-Dar, leader of the Eyes of Queen Ayrenn." He held out his hand.

Kabah-Jo thought this man was speaking absolutely perfect gibberish, but shook his hand nonetheless, wincing slightly from a sharp pain in his wrist. "Kabah-Jo. 'Eyes of Queen Ayrenn'? Elsweyr doesn't have a queen. Certainly not one with an Altmer name."

Razum-Dar moved a stool next to the bed and sat down. "All will become clear soon enough! So, you escaped from a slave ship, managed to return home floating on a barrel, after being shot in the back with an arrow, all without your magic, your greatest strength. And survived. Impressive, most impressive! You are exactly what we are looking for! How would you like to help build a future where slavery is just a bitter memory?"

Today

6 Mid Year 2E 582

Kabah-Jo took another swig of his Moon Sugar Rum, emotionally drained from his retelling. "And you know the rest of the story. You recruited Kabah-Jo to be an Eye of the Queen, and we spent the next couple of years laying the groundwork for the Aldmeri Dominion until its official formation in '80. What you don't know is for the last five years since that day, when this one didn't have his duties as an Eye, he has been tracking down any lead on the whereabouts of his family, with no success. So, there you have it, the origin story of the 'Legendary Kabah-Jo'! Eye and friend of Queen Ayrenn, friend of the Silvenar and Green Lady, war hero in the Three Banners War, the Moon Hallowed, and a cowardly failure!" Kabah-Jo tried to hold back his tears, but with all the Moon Sugar Rum he drank while telling the story, it was impossible, and he broke down.

Razum-Dar stared in stunned silence for a moment. "Kabbie, you are not a cowardly failure. There was nothing you could do. Why didn't you tell Raz that-?"

Kabah-Jo interrupted and finished the sentence. "That this one abandoned his family to a lifetime of slavery to save his own worthless pelt?" He chuckled mirthlessly. "Oh, yes! That would've gone over swell when you introduced this one to Queen Ayrenn!" Kabah-Jo then pulled a slip of paper out of his robe pocket, perhaps his most important possession. "In five years of searching, this is the only solid lead Kabah-Jo has been able to find. Fat load of good it's done!" He handed the paper to Razum-Dar.

Razum-Dar looked it over. "What is it?"

"The name of the slave ship," Kabah-Jo said. "its captain at the time, and its port of call."

Razum-Dar looked at the paper again, a grin spread across his face, and the glint returned to his eyes. "More than Raz needs!" He quickly stood up and put the paper in his pocket. "It's a shame you didn't tell Raz when we first met, we would've found your family that much sooner!"

Kabah-Jo was stunned, uncertain he heard what he thought he heard. "What?"

"Raz said he wanted to help you with your crazy shenanigans." Razum-Dar said. "We're going to find and rescue your family. You've done so much for the Dominion, it's high time the Dominion did something for you. Wait for word from Raz at your mansion outside of S'Ren-Ja, if you hear nothing from this one in a month from now, wait for Raz at your little bolt hole in Vulkhel Guard. We'll meet up and figure out where to go from there."

Kabah-Jo couldn't believe this was really happening. Perhaps Khali killed him in the Den of Lorkhaj, and this was the afterlife? 'No.' He decided. 'If this were the afterlife, the booze would be much better!' Satisfied this was reality, Kabah-Jo became cautiously optimistic. "Kabah-Jo spent five years searching, how do you plan to do better in a month?"

Razum-Dar grinned. "There's one major difference between you and Razum-Dar you didn't take into account. One that'll ensure your family's rescue. You're not Razum-Dar!" With that callback, he turned to leave, but stopped himself. "What happened to your friend with benefits? The one you had sex with?"

"Ahtani-La?" Kabah-Jo said. "This one asked around before we left, apparently a few days after the raid, her father returned home then immediately packed up everything and took her and her mother away to somewhere in Hammerfell. Kabah-Jo has never seen her again."

"Perhaps that's for the best." Razum-Dar said. "It's left you open for a much better opportunity."

"What do you mean?" Kabah-Jo asked.

Razum-Dar walked off. "You'll find out!" He said over his shoulder. "See you in a month! Hopefully sooner!"

Once he was alone, Kabah-Jo reached into his pack, and pulled something out. It was S'Cratch, Khayshara-Ma's Senche-Lion cub plushie. Kabah-Jo had found him at Greshenibi's house, just before he left the island with Razum-Dar. He had kept the doll with him initially for safe-keeping, but it had since become a reminder of his failure. Now when he looked at it though, he felt something he hadn't felt in a long time: hope. "I'm coming for you!" He whispered. "We're going to be a family again!" For the first time in many years, Kabah-Jo felt that everything was going to be okay. Now, he only had to cope with Khali's death. Perhaps the guidance and comfort of the gods would help. He put S'Cratch away, downed the last of his Moon Sugar Rum, then made his way to the Shrine of Jone in Dune's Temple District, clutching his crescent moons amulet the whole way.