2nd of Second Seed, 3E 427
The long corridors appeared, and the girl kept walking, opening more doors, feeling as if she was going insane by expecting different results. Until she did.
A tall, familiar figure wearing a golden mask appeared. Even while he wore it, she knew he was grinning. The thought frightened her to the bone.
"Who are you?" She demanded.
The figure didn't answer. Not as she expected.
"Lord Nerevar Indoril, Hai Resdaynia!" He yelled. "Long forgotten, forged anew! Three belied you, three betrayed you! One you betrayed was three times true! Lord Voryn Dagoth, Dagoth Ur, steadfast liegeman, faithful friend, bids you come and climb Red Mountain!
She shook her head.
"No..."
He ignored her as if she hadn't spoken.
"Beneath Red Mountain, once again, break your bonds, shed cursed skin, and purge the n'wah from Morrowind!"
Just then, his hands started to move towards his mask. He was about to take it off...she was going to see what was underneath…
I awoke with a start, sweat dripping from my forehead. Julan still slept in the room across from me. I could practically hear him snoring from here. I couldn't help but wonder what his reaction would be if he knew about my strange dreams. He most likely wouldn't take it well, considering. Unlike him, I had no reason to have them.
I shook the thoughts away, and tried to go back to sleep.
But sleep never came.
Two weeks later, after handing Sharn's notes over to Caius, he had another job for me. Going to Vivec city and interviewing more informants for him. This time, there were three of them.
"What do I talk to them about now?" I asked Caius.
It was an innocent enough question, but he rolled his eyes regardless.
"The Nerevarine and the Sixth House," was his curt response.
Sometimes I wondered why I even bothered to ask.
I was hoping this would be over by now, but I wasn't that fortunate, it seemed. But no, I would have to trek through Vivec, asking about the Nerevarine and the Sixth House with Julan at my heel, avoiding giving away my true intentions. Which was a shame. I hated lying to him, especially now, given recent events.
"First, I want you to speak with Addhiranirr, a Khajiit Thieves' Guild operative," Caius began explaining. "Second, I want you to speak with Huleeya, an Argonian in the Morag Tong. Finally, I want you to speak with Mehra Milo, a Temple priestess."
A thief, an assassin and a priestess. Well, that was certainly an interesting bunch.
"It has to be done in that particular order?"
I had to ask; Caius's instructions were so precise it was almost funny. I thought I saw the corners of his mouth twitch at that remark.
"Don't be ridiculous," he finally said, "do it as you see fit."
Caius headed towards his bookshelf, and picking up a piece of paper and a coinpurse containing more gold. He handed them to me, as I had come to expect.
"Here," Caius said. "I've written the details down, so you won't forget."
"Well, that was quick."
He ignored me.
"And here are two-hundred drakes. For bribes and other expenses," he added hastily, upon seeing the look on my face. I left his house not long after, taking note of the fact that I hadn't breathed in the smell of sugar this time around. Maybe the old bastard had finally decided to quit. If it was anywhere near as addictive as tobacco, I wasn't optimistic; my father had been fighting that addiction nearly his whole life, much to Serethi's annoyance.
Julan was waiting for me on the step, and seemed interested at the prospect of going to Vivec. Luckily it was early enough; the journey to Vivec via Silt Strider was four hours long.
Vivec was a large city - probably the largest city in Vvardenfell - with nine districts on artificially made islands. My first impression of it was that it somewhat resembled a maze. A very grand maze at that; all the better to get lost in.
"Vivec may be a god, but he has horrible taste in architecture," Julan remarked at one point, as we went through the city. "I mean…it looks like a mousetrap!"
I silently agreed.
The first district was the Foreign Quarter, and I soon knew it was the friendliest place for Outlanders in Vivec - if not in all of Vvardenfell. Except when a few xenophobic Dunmer decided to trash the Black Shalk Cornerclub - in the very Cornerclub where Huleeya was meant to be meeting me. To make matters worse, they were in a heated argument with Huleeya, much to the dismay of the owner.
"You are looking for Huleeya, yes?" The owner asked not long after we entered.
Cautiously, I nodded.
"Please," the owner looked desperate, "he's over there."
He gestured towards the Argonian who was arguing with the three Dunmer.
"Do what you can for him. I just need this argument to be stopped! It drives away potential customers, you see…"
He had said enough. I listened closely to every word the Dunmer said, growing more and more disgusted with each word.
"...filthy lizards like you shouldn't be allowed to run free," one of the Dunmer snapped. "It's an absolute disgrace!"
Julan looked just as furious as I felt. He turned to me with an angry smile on his face.
"Can I deal with the troublesome fools?" He asked. "Please?"
"We're not here to start a brawl," I said pointedly, despite the fact that I secretly thought they deserved everything they got and more. I was more than sick of Morrowind xenophobia already, and I hadn't even been here a year. Idiots like these three were rarely seen in Cyrodiil.
The three Dunmer looked up and saw us, their expressions absolutely livid. I wasn't surprised by their reaction in the slightest.
"Well, look here," one of them sneered, "Ashlander trash and an Outlander! More people who shouldn't be here."
I resisted the urge to punch that idiot right then and there. Beside me, I heard Julan clench his jaw and I saw him do the same with his fists.
"I'm warning you," Julan began hotly. "Don't talk about her that way."
The three chortled.
"And who is she, your girlfriend?" Another demanded, before the three burst into hoots of laughter yet again. I felt the blood drain from my face at this remark, reminding me of things Julan and I had yet to speak about in great detail. Julan made a start towards them without so much as hesitating, but I placed an arm in front of him, preventing the worst.
"We came to talk to Huleeya," I said coldly.
The largest and oldest Dunmer narrowed his eyes.
"Oh, look. Trash has come to converse with trash," he snarled. None of them budged, but he continued. "And why would you want to talk to a filthy lizard like him?"
Julan was about to yell at them again, but I pulled out the coin purse Caius had given me hours before, and handed it to their ringleader.
"Here," I snarled as he counted it. "Now get lost."
He looked up and gave me a grin that mirrored his greediness. Apparently gold was enough to convince them to come to their senses, for they left, declaring the harassment of Huleeya a waste of their precious time. I thought I heard the bartender mutter "snakes" under his breath as the door slammed shut behind them. They sure seem to be like snakes, I thought angrily. But I drove the idiots out of my mind, and turned my attention back to Huleeya, who looked as if he was nursing an injury on his left arm.
"Are you alright?" Julan asked him, with much concern.
Huleeya grimaced.
"No, I'm fine," he responded. "Aside from some words that have...bruised...my ego. But other than that..."
"Who were they?" Julan asked.
The Argonian quickly rolled his eyes, if that was even possible.
"Just a gang that likes to roam this part of the city and torment poor, unfortunate souls like me," he replied. "But enough about that. You have business with me, yes?"
"Caius sent me," I told him.
Huleeya looked around, and we all turned towards the owner, who by now was eyeing us with interest.
"We'll be able to discuss the matter in a moment, when we've gotten to Jobasha's Book Store. It's just across from here."
And so we went, and Huleeya led the way there. The three of us avoided the Ordinators that patrolled the hallways. Even though they had no reason to be suspicious of us, I hated them. It was probably not justified for me to dislike Ordinators so much, but my memories of them at Ghostgate were unpleasant. I knew Julan felt the same about them, among other things. Whatever Huleeya's reasons were didn't matter, but he obviously disliked them as well.
When we arrived, Huleeya talked about what he knew in rather hushed voices, while Julan disappeared. I made a mental note to find him later.
"To understand the Nerevarine cult, you must understand the history of the Ashlanders," Huleeya said quietly. "Nerevar means something very different to the Ashlanders from what he means to Dunmer of the Great Houses. You should also know about the persecution of the Nerevarine, and the legacy of the False Incarnate, for the Nerevarine cult is at the heart of the ancient conflict between the nomadic Ashlanders and the settled Great House Dunmer."
The Argonian handed me an envelope.
"Here is a summary for Caius, but ask your questions, and I'll answer in detail," Huleeya said, giving me a toothy grin.
I turned to see Julan browsing the bookshelves in the store. At least he wasn't there to remind me how ashamed I was for continuing these tasks for Caius.
"Do you know anything about this Sixth House cult?" I asked quietly.
Huleeya looked taken aback by this.
"I've never even heard of such a thing," he said, whilst blinking. "House Dagoth was the Sixth House, but in the War of the First Council, they betrayed the other Great Houses, and were destroyed for their treason. But I've never heard of anyone worshipping them."
He sounded disgusted by the very thought of such a thing.
"Dagoth Ur, the ancient head of House Dagoth, is the Devil of the Tribunal faith, but I've never heard of anyone worshipping him, either."
"Well, thank you for your time," I said when we were finished conversing, then went to go get Julan so we could go talk to the other two informants.
It was early evening when we arrived in the St. Olm's Canton, and began asking for Addhiraniir. Apparently she was hiding. When I asked what from, I was only pointed in the direction of a well-dressed Imperial man with a very artificial smile. In fact, I'd say his smile looked pasted on. Considering his general appearance in contrast with the state of St. Olms,' he stuck out like a very sore thumb in desperate need of healing.
A Census and Excise agent. Nice. Looks like someone hasn't been paying their taxes.
"I'm looking for a friend of mine, a female Khajiit named Addhiranirr," he said to me, once he had introduced himself. "Do you know where I can find her?"
Nope. I didn't have the slightest clue. But considering that Addhiranirr was supposedly hiding from this charming fellow, it was probably for the best that I not tell him, even if I did know.
"I saw her take a gondola to the mainland this morning," I said, feigning sadness. And a horribly disguised Vvardenfell accent. "Such a shame, really. We were such good friends."
The agent studied me for a few moments, checking as if I was lying, before sighing. Somehow, despite my subpar acting skills, I managed to get off the hook. Just this once.
"That's a shame," he said. "But thank you for your time. I was just heading back to the mainland myself, anyway, and maybe I'll run into her there."
I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for having lied to a Census and Excise agent, but any doubts were erased when Julan doubled up, laughing at my terrible acting. I laughed too. It was a wonder I had even managed to convince him at all.
Then, we had to go trudging through the disgusting sewers. I had never been inside a sewer before then, and I wish I could say the same now. The smell quickly assaulted my nostrils and Divines, it was horrible. Luckily, Addhiranirr wasn't that far away, huddled in one of the corners across from us.
"Caius sent me," I explained to her, after she focused a glare our way. "He wants you to tell me what you know about the Nerevarine and the Sixth House cult."
She let out a growl of annoyance.
"Great. So Caius says to you, 'speak with Addhiranirr.' And you have done this thing. You are speaking with Addhiranirr. But Addhiranirr will not talk to you about the Nerevarine or the Sixth House cult, and because why? Because Addhiranirr is, at this moment, very distracted by a nice Census and Excise agent, who also wants to speak with her."
"And he's gone," I promised. "I got rid of him."
Addhiranirr flashed me a toothy grin after I said those words.
"Then Addhiranirr will tell you what she knows, friend."
"Let's start with the Nerevarine cult, then."
Behind me, I heard Julan sigh. Addhiranirr stared at me in disbelief.
"Addhiranirr knows nothing about this Nerevarine cult, because it is just silly superstition," Addhiranirr purred in response.
I tried not to look in Julan's direction after she said those words.
"So you tell Caius this," she continued, her tone filled with disbelief, "nobody in their right mind pays any attention to this nonsense. Prophecies and ancient heroes reborn and other…silliness. Fuzzy tales for little kitties."
I heard Julan scoff, but he said nothing. Addhiranirr either didn't notice or care.
"Now, as for the Sixth House, this Addhiranirr knows about, because it is about smuggling. Some smart smugglers are suddenly too busy for their old clients, because they have a new employer…the Sixth House, who pays very well."
Oh, no. I suddenly didn't like where this was going. I don't think Julan did, either. Caius most certainly wasn't going to like it.
"But what do they smuggle now? Addhiranirr doesn't know, because they are very secret."
This just got better and better.
"And this is odd, because these smugglers are always loud and bragging, and now they hush up like fat-bellied kitties full of sweet-meats."
As soon as I got the information, we left the sewers, and made our way over to the Temple. It was almost closing time, and I was lucky to be able to find Mehra Milo at all. She was younger than I expected. For some reason, I had this image in my head of priestesses being old with grey hair, as well as with a bitter demeanor. That didn't fit in with Mehra's description at all. Mehra was young and kind, and I am honestly glad I met her.
As soon as I told her who I was, she took me to the back of the library, where there were no other priests or – Divines forbid – Ordinators.
"So, Caius sent you?" I thought I saw her cheeks tinge purple. "An old and dear friend, who has come to love our lands."
I tried to keep my expression blank. Maybe she and Caius were a bit more than friends at one point? Judging from the look on Mehra's face, they must have been. But I kept my mouth shut. It wasn't really any of my business, was it?
Mehra smiled nervously.
"But enough about that. What does he need?"
"He wants me to ask you about the Sixth House cult and the Nerevarine cult," I said. She nodded, as if she had already known this, but was asking for confirmation.
"I'm afraid I don't know anything about a Sixth House cult," she said, while leaning back into the bookshelf. "But I can tell you about the Nerevarine cult."
To be expected, really.
"The Temple worships Nerevar as a saint and hero, but prophecies of his reincarnation are punished as wicked heresy. The Nerevarine cult claims the Tribunal are false gods, hence the Temple's persecution of the Nerevarine cult. A group called the Dissident Priests disputes Temple doctrine on the Nerevarine prophecies. The proscribed book 'Progress of Truth' describes their beliefs. Get a copy of 'Progress of Truth' for Caius. That will tell him things he needs to know about the Nerevarine cult."
"Thank you. Where can I find the book?"
Mehra sighed at this.
"The Temple has outlawed the sale or possession of the book, so it will be hard to find," she explained. "We have a copy here, but I fear I'm being watched by the Ordinators here. A safer plan would be to search local booksellers. Some booksellers ignore Temple bans on outlawed books for profits or for principles."
But, considering that the book was still outlawed, finding a copy would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. I would still try, anyway. Maybe I could swing back by Jobasha's and see if he had a copy before I went to find a local inn.
"Is there anything else you want to know?" Mehra asked me.
I raised an eyebrow.
"You said you were being watched by Ordinators," I observed. "Maybe it's none of my concern, but…why?"
"No, you're right to ask," Mehra said in an undertone. I couldn't help but notice how anxious she sounded. "Let me begin by saying that I do not care for Temple politics. But I have read 'Progress of Truth,' and it troubles me. I have friends…former priests, who have gone into hiding, so I am bound to come to the attention of the Ordinators sooner or later."
"They had better leave you alone," Julan growled, surprising me. I knew he hated the Temple. Mehra looked towards him and nodded.
"Do not worry now, for I am careful. But I am afraid. Sooner or later I, too, must go into hiding. When you return to Caius, tell him I am worried, and that if something goes wrong, I will leave a message under the agreed code word 'amaya'."
"I will," I promised, and Julan and I both left. Something about the way Mehra said those words unsettled me. I hoped she would stay safe.
She didn't deserve to be left to the hands of Temple idiots.
Neither Julan nor I was able to sleep that night. Neither of us said anything to one another, but I had the feeling we were both aware of the fact that one another was still awake. Perhaps it was the dreams that invaded our sleep each night, or the events that happened during the day that was keeping us awake. Perhaps it was both. I had no way of knowing.
It wasn't until I picked up the Progress of Truth and began flipping through the pages did Julan actually say anything, and that wasn't until I got through some of the book first, trying not to seem as disturbed as I was by it.
Denial of the prophecies of the Incarnate, and persecution of the Nerevarines:
Though no consensus exists among the Dissidents about whether the Nerevarine prophecies are genuine, all agree that the persecution of the Nerevarines is unjust and politically motivated. The Dissident Priests do not reject mysticism, revelation, or prophecy as part of the religious experience. The Dissidents have not resolved the issue of true or false insights. They have studied the mysticism of the Ashlander Ancestor Cults, in particular the rites of the Ashlander seers and wise women, and the prophecies of the Incarnate. Many among the Dissident Priests have come to believe that the Nerevarine prophecies are genuine, and have made a systematic study of prophecies recorded in Temple archives.
The Dissident Priests reject the authority of the Archcanon and the Ordinators. The temple hierarchy has been corrupted by self-interest and politics, and no longer acts in the best interests of the Temple or its worshippers. The Dissident Priests believe the Archcanon and Ordinators speak for themselves, not for the Tribunal -
"Er, are you going to go to sleep or are you going to read Caius's book all night?" I heard Julan ask. I closed the book and looked towards him.
"You can't sleep either?"
"No..."
He didn't say it. He didn't have to. I know he was worried about the dreams. Well, that made two of us.
"Hey, Ulina, listen. While we're both awake and all...can we talk...about what happened the other day?"
"What other day?"
"When we were both coming back from Arkngthand..."
Oh, yes, that. Neither of us had really talked about it since. Not directly, anyway.
"You mean the kiss?"
I sounded like an idiot, and I was glad Julan chose to ignore it.
"I need to know where I stand with you," Julan said.
I sensed the nervousness in his tone. I was nervous, too, even as I tried to hide it.
"I mean, I'd hate to think that kiss was just a one-off. But I don't know how you feel. I don't feel like making a fool of myself, if you're not interested..."
"Of course I'm interested, Julan!" I was shocked by how quickly I had said those words. "I kissed you, didn't I?"
"Yeah…" he gave me a half-smile. "No one's ever kissed me quite like that before. But Ulina, to be honest, I'm not in any position to get involved with someone."
Well technically, neither was I, as I'm sure Caius would have said, if he knew. But those words were like a punch in the stomach, regardless. Was he going to end it? I had no idea.
"My mission is too important, and this sort of thing has, uh…caused problems in the past," he finished.
"I get it," I said. "And I understand if you -"
"Oh, no. That's not what I was going to say. I know I shouldn't be doing this, and I can't let it get too serious, but…there's something about you."
His smile widened slightly.
"I don't know what it is, but I'm intrigued. I can't stop thinking about you. And I can't help but wondering…Is there anyone else?"
"There never has been."
Not to say various people in the Imperial City didn't try. I even liked a few back, but I was scared to return anyone's feelings back then, given how shy I was. I still was now, but nowhere near as much. Sometimes being on my own had its benefits.
"Why, were you afraid some big Nord might come and put a warhammer through your face?"
"No!" Julan protested.
I smirked at that, and when he caught on, he did so while shaking his head.
"Well, maybe, but I don't care if they do, let 'em try. I just want to know if I have any competition. Call me selfish, but I don't like the thought of sharing you."
"And you won't be," I assured him.
That night, things fell into place. After a few more words, I blew the candle out, and darkness filled the room. I quickly fell asleep, too happy for words.
I found myself back at Caius's not but a week later.
"We need an Ashlander informant," Caius told me, not even bothering with small talk. He did, however, make me a steaming cup of Cyrodiilic coffee, something I had come to miss. I was grateful for that. An Ashlander informant? Easy.
"What about Julan?"
Caius snorted and shook his head, making it out as if I was asking for all the gold in Tamriel.
"A reliable Ashlander informant," he said stiffly, "not some random ragtag you picked up along the road. I have heard of a fellow in Ald'ruhn named Hassour Zainsubani, an Ashlander who left the Wastes to become a wealthy trader. They say the Ashlanders like to give and receive presents."
"Caius, I think everyone likes to give and receive presents."
Well maybe not the former, but most certainly the latter. To my surprise, Caius actually chuckled at my response, before handing me a coinpurse.
"You're certainly right about that," he replied. "Anyways, take these hundred drakes. Find out what Zainsubani likes, and get him a gift. Then give him the gift, and see if he will tell you about the Ashlanders and the Nerevarine cult. Then report back to me."
It wasn't long after that that I left his house, and found Julan. He was reading a copy of The Real Barenziah. I found out recently that he actually loved that story. I did as well.
"Hassour Zainsubani?" Julan asked when I briefly explained my task. "I think I met him before...at the inn. He's decent enough."
A few hours later, we arrived in Ald-ruhn, and headed straight to the local bookstore, at Julan's suggestion. Apparently Zainsubani liked books. I bought Ashland Hymns, which was also at Julan's suggestion. Then, we headed to the inn. I hadn't been there since I left with Julan months ago. After a brief introduction, I pulled the book out of my rucksack.
"I thank you," Zainsubani said while taking a sip from a leather flask, admiring the book. It had cost almost forty Septims, but it was worth it. "You have behaved courteously, and I am inclined to help you, Ulina. So, Caius sent you, did he?"
I nodded.
"He wants some information on the Nerevarine Cult."
I was starting to get really sick of talking about the Nerevarine Cult, to be honest. I think Zainsubani got that simply from the look on my face, because he said -
"There is too much to tell," before he went rifling through his pockets, and handing me a few pieces of paper. "Here. Take these notes. I've written here what you should know about the Ashlanders and the Nerevarine cult. But most of all, if you are visiting a camp, there are things you should know about courtesy and challenges among the Ashlanders."
A few hours later, Julan and I arrived back in Balmora, this time opting to use the Guild Guide, even though I hated teleporting. But I wanted to get this back to Caius as soon as possible. It was twilight in Balmora by the time we arrived, and it looked as if it was about to rain as Julan and I walked down the familiar, filthy pathways until we arrived in front of Caius's house.
"I expect I'll be awhile," I warned him. "You can go off to one of the taverns, if you want."
"They already kicked me out of South Wall," Julan responded. "I'll just wait outside this time."
I shrugged, before going inside and seeing Caius. He still looked the same as usual, except for the fact that his expression was rather grim. That frightened me in and of itself.
"I got your notes," I said, handing them to Caius. He didn't take them. He didn't even bother to look at them. Instead, he pushed them back into my hands.
"Thanks for your report, Ulina. But keep Zainsubani's notes on the Ashlanders. You'll need them."
I raised my eyebrows at this.
"Wait…why?"
Just what surprise did Caius have for me now? I had no idea, but nothing could really shock me anymore at this point. Even so, I still couldn't help but wonder why.
"Because I'm promoting you, and sending you to the Urshilaku camp to speak with Sul-Matuul and Nibani Maesa," Caius replied.
I had no idea where the Urshilaku camp was, but I knew it wasn't a close walk. Admittedly, none of the places I'd been to while doing these often (what felt like, anyway) grueling tasks had been, but it wasn't like you could take a silt-strider to the nearest Ashlander camp.
"When should I go?"
"As soon as you can," Caius replied.
Tomorrow morning, then. I had done more than enough travelling today. I'd ask Julan if he knew anything as well. He might know something about the Urshilaku, even if it technically wasn't his tribe.
"I'll set off first thing in the morning, then," I promised, turning to leave. But before I could, Caius's voice stopped me in my tracks.
"Ulina, wait."
I turned around.
"Yes?"
"Before you go, I think it may be time to tell you what's going on," Caius said. "And I mean, what's really going on."
I raised my eyebrows at that. I had been wondering what was going on for almost three months now. Now was my chance.
"What is going on?"
He cleared his throat at that. I may have been mistaken, but Caius sounded a little nervous a few moments ago, when he started this conversation. Caius? Nervous? That was also frightening in and of itself.
"The Emperor and his advisors think you have the appearance of meeting the conditions of the Nerevarine prophecies."
"I – WHAT?!"
Those words were like a blow to the stomach. I was more than just taken aback by those words. No words could describe the shock I felt after Caius said those words. I thought I saw him wince slightly.
"With all due respect, sir, that's not possible," I began frantically. "My friend –"
I stopped. I wasn't going to be the one to reveal Julan's secret. Caius raised his eyebrows.
"Yes, Ulina?" He asked me, cautiously. "Something to say?"
I bit my lip.
"No," I responded, quietly.
"Then allow me to continue; The Emperor's opinion is why you were pulled out of prison on his authority and sent to me," Caius told me, continuing as if I hadn't spoken. "So that you could satisfy the conditions of the Nerevarine prophecies and become the Nerevarine."
Alright, that was it. This was the most idiotic thing I had ever heard in my life up to this point. The Emperor was either getting crazy ideas in his head at his old age, or Caius had clearly been on the sugar way too much today.
Without any consideration for respect or consideration, I blew up.
I had had enough of this nonsense.
"Just what in the Nine have you been smoking, Caius?"
"Ulina –"
"Are you even listening to me?! I am not the Nerevarine!"
"Ulina –"
"You think I haven't been paying attention to the information I've been picking up for you these past few months? I do not fit the prophesies! By any means whatsoever!"
"Ulina," Caius said my name with a firm coldness that made me close my mouth immediately. "Be quiet and let me explain."
"But –"
"That's an order," he snapped.
I said nothing, but we eyed each other in mutual anger and frustration.
"I hate to do this as it's far from my place, but it seems given the current circumstances, I must. Now, let's start from the beginning."
I'm surprised he didn't address my constant disrespect towards him, but I then decided not to think too much into it. It was (mostly) a good thing, after all. I sat down on the floor, feeling my finger itch slightly. I twisted Julan's telepathy ring. The itching quickly stopped.
"Explain to me, Ulina," Caius began carefully, "what made you come to the conclusion that you can't possibly be the Nerevarine?"
Oh many, many things.
For one, I was an Outlander and this was a prophecy based off of native Dunmer superstition. That in and of itself constituted into a million different reasons. The main reason thereof may as well be an umbrella reason for the entire thing.
But there was another reason.
"I have parents," I responded angrily. "The Nerevarine does not have parents."
"Ah, yes," the Spymaster began dryly. "That…"
"'On a certain day to uncertain parents, incarnate moon-and-star reborn,'" I quoted, before continuing. "I am fairly certain I know who my parents are!"
"Are you?"
I felt my stomach churn, not just by those words but the way Caius had chosen to use them. Throwing all caution into the ashstorms of Ald-ruhn, I narrowed my eyes in his direction.
"Caius," I began cautiously, not even bothering to use his title yet again. By this point, I think he was beyond caring. "What are you saying?"
He didn't answer. Not right away. He laughed instead, but it wasn't laughter with humor. I don't think he found humor in this situation at all. That made two of us, then. I was very much dreading the answer to his question.
"Growing up, did you honestly believe you were born to Dranen and Llethsea Therayn?" He asked me. I felt bile rise in my throat, but swallowed it, instead trying to find the answer to his question.
"Of course I did. Why would I think otherwise?"
"What did they tell you, growing up? That you always lived in Cyrodiil?"
"No," I responded. "Llethsea – my mother – is dead. My stepmother's name is Serethi. I know my family moved from Mournhold in the mainland to Cyrodiil when I was two years old. We lived in Cheydinhal for awhile, before we moved."
Caius let out the same humorless laughter as before.
"There are more holes in that story than I can count," he said.
"Caius, what are you talking about? What does this have to do with the Nerevarine prophesies?"
"More than you should know now. But the first thing you should know is that story they told you is nothing but a complete fabrication. In fact, from the sounds of things, your entire life prior to being shipped here was nothing but a complete fabrication."
Silence. I said nothing, too shocked to speak. Caius eyed me. His expression was still grim. In fact, I'd say it was grimmer than before. He didn't have to continue; he as good as revealed the truth to me already. But I wanted him to, regardless, hoping and silently praying that what I thought was the truth was not.
"Like I said, it's not my place to reveal this to you. But I have no choice. You've been kept in the dark, and it ends here."
"No choice in what, Caius?"
He sighed.
"Let me start by saying I do not know everything. So I'll tell you what I do know," Caius began again, as grim as ever. "The first thing you need to know is that Dranen and Llethsea Therayn were not your birth parents."
I felt my heart sink. It felt as if my world had crashed.
Again.
Just as I was beginning to recover.