14 Frostfall, 3E426

The weather was on my side and remained clear until I reached the camp, at which point that soupy ashland fog rolled in. I took off my gauntlet on the hand that bears Moon-and-Star so that all would see it as I made my way to the Ashkhan's yurt.

Sul-Matuul wanted to offer me counsel before he made any sort of announcement. He smoked something out of a colored wooden pipe that made thick smoke like the outside fog and explained to me that as Nerevarine, I had a duty to fulfill the promise made in ancient times to protect and honor the rights of the tribes. I told him it was a duty I take gladly, for after all, is it not technically a promise I made although I do not directly remember? I had also come to be very fond of the Ashlanders in the time I had spent among them. They are a people after my own heart, strong and direct and honest, who had taken me in as one of their own and believed my strange story, and I admire their way of life.

His tone became a bit grim then. He pointed to Moon-and-Star and said that I was now marked as the enemy of the Temple and all its faithful. Friends would likely become enemies. But in spite of all this, it is rather important that I do not hide in fear. The persecution of the Nerevarine is written in the prophecies; I cannot escape it, it is a trial I must overcome.

When it comes to trials, I am always up for proving my strength or honor. I never turn away a test of steel or endurance. It made me feel childish to admit it but I am a bit afraid; afraid I will lose everything good I have come by, lose the friends I have made, possibly even lose my freedom again. Of course I am afraid, Sul-Matuul said, no judgment in his tone, the trial is overcoming that fear to be openly known as Nerevar, to stand before those who would despise me and refuse to back down until they name me Hortator and Nerevarine. All must know so that Morrowind can unite.

If I fail, there will not even be a Morrowind; they say the Incarnate cannot fail, I must believe that myself.

Then Nibani came in bearing a brilliantly colored ceremonial robe, altered so that it could be worn over a full set of armor, and bid me do so. I sat still and gritted my teeth while she used a needle held over a flame to pierce my ears and adorn them with beaded earrings that clatter with every move of my head. I held my tongue and didn't complain, understanding the importance of looking the part. I was happy when she mentioned the robe was mine to keep- my old Imperial-style skirt was growing quite tattered, and it just does not feel right anymore anyway.

I was led out to stand in front of the gathered Urshilaku. Nibani held up my hand to show them all Moon-and-Star while Sul-Matuul announced that I was hereby recognized as Nerevarine and warleader of the Urshilaku. I just stood there feeling like kind of a s'wit, not used to being the center of attention... I suppose that is going to have to change.

I then followed Nibasi back to her yurt so that I might learn how to find the other three tribes. She was able to point out vague regions on the map where each was located, and their names: Erabenimsun, an aggressive warlike tribe of Molag Amur whose Ashkhan had a violent disposition, Ahemmusa, a peaceful grazeland people, and Zainab, also in the grazelands, shrewd and tricky to deal with. After I've proven myself to these, then I will be confronting the Great Houses... so it is written in the fourth and fifth trials:

A stranger's voice unites the Houses.
Three Halls call him Hortator.

A stranger's hand unites the Velothi.
Four Tribes call him Nerevarine.

Despite being somewhat anxious and afraid, I feel changed in a positive way. To have so many questions about the strange circumstances of my existence, about my nightmares, about who I am and what it is I'm meant to do... all answered all at once with the same answer... my past is no longer a specter that haunts me. My life so far was merely a set of trials designed to trim away flaws, do away with falsehoods and cast aside doubt so that I might measure up to at least a fraction of the hero Saint Nerevar was. If I stood before him right now, would he find me worthy? Or would he call me lacking and say I am unfit to share his name and soul?

As I sat thinking to myself, the stars came out and was approached by the Urshilaku woman who I had gathered the trama root for on my first day there. For some time she sat next to me silently, just stared out at the stars with me, and I enjoyed the peaceful company. Then I caught a bit of motion out of the corner of my eye to see her handing me what looked like a small tome. "I traded for the parchment," she explained in her soft voice, "And the hide from your kagouti is the cover. You are always writing in that book but it is so old and torn. Please do not fail us, Nerevarine." With that, she returned to her yurt, not giving me the chance to do much but nod.

So, this will be my final entry in this particular volume. My next will be in this surprisingly sturdy little tome I've been given. Having no need to hold to this old one myself, and trusting in the cult of the Nerevarine, I will leave it in the care of Nibani Maesa so that I may come back to it at any time and it will be protected for future generations.

I cannot fail them, I will not. Even those that will despise and mock me, I will save. They are my people, the people I spent this whole existence wanting to know and the people I promised in my last existence I would protect.

TO BE CONTINUED! in "Adarise Salvel, Incarnate"

"Thank you for your time: I hope you enjoyed your read and continue on to the next adventure!" -Svetlaena