Prologue
It was much to quiet. One would expect the sounds of merriment, as the month long gathering of the Shadiing tribes came to a close. Alliances had been made, friendships renewed. The silence was palpable. Even the trees were still. A late summer snow dusted the area around the birthing cave. Vardan the bear, chieftain of the Keepers tribe stood alone watchful. Under normal circumstances the birth of his son would be a cause for celebration and revelry. But not this time, not this birth.
A distinct scent caught his attention, Iylse the shaman had joined him. She possessed an uncanny ability to move silently. Iylse was visually striking, yet uncomfortable to look upon. Nordic in appearance her snow white ankle length hair was a sharp contrast to the black robes she favored. Despite being blind her eyes always seemed to look through you. Such a one would be expected to be aged, withered. But Iylse the bear tribes youngest Keeper of Visions was barely out of her teens.
By summoning her to attend the birth of his son, Vardan had bestowed a great honor upon her. "They're waiting for us", she whispered in her gravely voice, her sightless eyes full of wisdom. Visibly pulling himself together Vardan accompanied her into the cave. Twin totems of the bear flanked the entrance. The walls echoed with the low healing chants of the mages. Torchlight flickered in the shadows causing the hieroglyphs to dance and move. Healing runes barely visible shimmered. An alter of Hircine dominated the center of the cave. The ceremonial chest holding gifts for the baby held a place of honor near alter.
His mate reclined on the birthing chair bundled in furs. Vardan approached the young Redguard. Her dark hair was shaved close to her head. Intricate designs had been painted on her face and arms. Her unusual eyes seemed dull as she fought to keep them open. She smelled strongly of fatigue, herbs and the healing magic. Even in this state she was beautiful to him. Long had she labored to present him with his son. She raised slightly bloodshot eyes to him inquiring. He reached down and took her hand offering what support and comfort he could.
An ancient woman in bear skins pushed through the crowd bearing a wrapped bundle in her arms. She placed it on the alter before unwrapping it. The baby was tiny his head covered in red fuzz. He let out a yawn and closed his eyes. Vardan observed the baby inhaling deeply. A slight smile flickered on his face as he found what he was looking for. Finally he spoke, "his name shall be Reljir Mirel in honor of his mothers people". The slightest stir went through the cave at his words. It was rare for a member of the bear tribe to be named for outsiders, even if the mother was an emigrant. The baby was one of their own.
Vardan looked down at his son, "I shall be the one to teach him our history, our laws, our traditions." He opened the ceremonial chest and removed an amulet which he placed around the baby's neck. The amulet symbolized the wearer would be charged with seeking the ring of Hircine, returning it to the influence of the Bear Tribe. Vardan hesitated, the baby smelled of the Shadiing the werebear, he had inherited the gift. But, there was something else, a hint of scent hidden that eluded him. Vardan was well versed in the traits of the werebear. Even in human form he used his advanced sense of smell to define the world around him.
The second odor coming from the baby was unlike anything he had come across. It had a reverberation attached to it. Whatever it was, it was powerful enough to cloak itself even from one as experienced as himself. Briefly he wondered if his son was a shapeshifer, able to assume different forms. But no that didn't fit either. True shapeshifers were more of a legend among the Shadiing. In those rare few born with the trait, the norm was for the bear spirit to dominate and the others remain dormant. A shapeshifter able to assume different forms had never walked among the Shadiing in known history.
Vardan would seek council with the elders. Perhaps answers could be found there. Meanwhile he had delayed the naming ceremony long enough. He turned to his mate and helped her to her feet. She spoke her voice slightly melodious " I shall be the one to teach him the ways of the Alik'r, the old magic, the lost arts". From the ceremonial chest, she withdrew an Alik'r hood and a carved scimitar sword which gleamed in the firelight. She laid both items at the feet of the baby. She gazed longingly at the baby. Vardan turned to the shaman "Its time to seek the vision".
A calmness covered Iylse who came to kneel before the alter. She quietly pronounced her vision. "He shall not remain among us, he walks another path. He will serve Hircine, but another will be his true master. Ancient evil encroaches from beyond this plane. He will be the hope of all Tamriel in vanquishing that evil. Later in life he will lead a lycanthrope army against a threat coming from the direction of the Summerset Isles". Vardan looked at his sleeping son, such tiny shoulders upon which to rest the faith of the world. He only hoped he would have the strength and wisdom to fulfill his destiny. The healing chants were replaced by a woeful keening as the bear tribe along with Vardan mourned the difficult times ahead.
Authors Note: for this story the word Shadiing refers to the werebear. According to my research Lycanthrope can be used for any were creature but is most often associated with the werewolf. I needed the werebear to have their own unique word.