Han lu Urshar

I stayed with my mother late into the night. Neither of us desired to part and we discussed anything and everything to avoid the night coming to a close. I told my story, or at least the parts that wouldn't cause Virisa anxiety or guilt. When I told the part about going to Suran with Ajira, I tried to skim over meeting Gildee for the first time, but mother wouldn't allow it.

"She seems like a very nice girl," she mentioned with one brow raised.

"She makes me uncomfortable," I said, trying not to dwell on the girl, knowing my face was capable of going red. "She's so carefree and outgoing. It seems any place she goes becomes more lively for her being there. It seems like she makes friends with everyone she meets."

Virisa wore a sly grin. "I think she sees you as more than a friend."

I met mother's eyes and shook my head. "I don't think so. She's just friendly with everybody."

"Friendly enough to follow you here and apparently friendly enough to follow you on a journey to the Urshilaku tribe camp. That doesn't seem like something you'd do for just anyone."

I sighed, uncomfortable with the topic. "I don't think she'll like me when she gets to really know me. My quest is sure to bring some unpleasant conflicts. Not to say she isn't tough, but she doesn't seem like she has the capacity to be subtle or deal with the unpleasantness of secrets or espionage."

Virisa laughed. "I'm not referring to her talents as a companion on your quest. By Almsivi my son, I'm talking about courting her."

Now embarrassed, I tried to shrug her off. "Mother, please."

"Now don't try to tell me you haven't met anyone who strikes your fancy," Virisa insisted. " You didn't have many opportunities for actual courting before coming here. What is there to hold you back now?"

"Well, my quest for the Empire for one," I tried, glancing at Surane Leoraine. The Blade mage hid a knowing smirk.

"Don't you try that Han lu. The Blades made no request that you remain celibate, I'm sure. Now come on and tell me whom you've met. You can't have avoided all women in all the time we've been apart."

Realizing I couldn't get away from the question, I thought back over my experiences. "Well, there is... a girl." I offered hesitantly.

"I should hope so," Virisa prompted eagerly. "What's her name?"

"Safia."

"How did you meet?"

I shrank. "Well the first time was when I'd just come to Balmora. The Fighters guild gave me a job clearing rats from a local woman's house. One of the rats escaped and ran down the street. I cornered it in a doorway and stomped on it, but Safia was just coming out of the building and the rat… um, squirted on her clothes." I cringed at the memory.

Virisa caught a loud laugh in her throat before it could fully manifest, silencing herself by placing a hand to her mouth. "Oh. Oh dear. I hope your second meeting went better."

"Yes and no. I was accompanying the Guildmaster of the Fighter's guild to the Last Seed celebration at the Dren manor. She's Orvas Dren's daughter."

Recognition shone in Virisa's eyes. "Orvas Dren of House Hlaalu?"

"The same."

Virisa bit her lip. "I hope you smoothed things over with her. Orvas is not someone you want as an enemy."

"So I hear. Yes, I was able to speak to her a bit during the party. She's very intelligent."

"Is she pretty," Virisa pressed.

"Mom, please." Now I was blushing.

"I'm your mother. If you can't tell me, then who can you tell?"

Relenting, I admitted, "Yes, she is very pretty."

Virisa leaned in conspiratorially. "I don't suppose you arranged to meet her again?"

"At the time it was the last thing on my mind, but I did meet her again not long after that." I hesitated, knowing that I held Safia's secret of her second life. I glanced at Surane and lowered my voice so that only mother could hear the story when I'd intercepted Safia stealing a letter from the Fighters guild for the Thieves guild.

This time Virisa smiled. "Ooh, how mysterious. That certainly breaks the mold. Was she impressed that you could forge the letter?"

"Yes, she recommended me to her employers."

"Perhaps that will give you the chance to get to know her better," Virisa conspired.

"I really think I should concentrate on the prophecy for now, mother."

Virisa shrugged. "Your sojourn into the Ashlands won't last forever and eventually I'm going to get you married. Unless of course, you find yourself a wife first."

"There's plenty of time for that," I assured her.

As the night went on, tiredness eventually overcame both of us and mother showed me to the hall with the guestrooms. Half the hall was designed in the Imperial style, but the hall had collapsed on one end and had been replaced in the style of the Telvanni towers. The room I chose was on the Imperial side. The stone walls reminded me of my childhood in Cyrodiil and made me feel safe and at home. I awoke to a knocking on the door.

"Master Han lu," called Fargoth's voice. "It's time for breakfast boyo."

I yawned loudly and took my time throwing off the covers. I'd not slept in such a comfortable bed since Cyrodiil and to avoid any strange dreams was a welcome surprise. "Um, yeah. Yes, I'm coming." I took a moment to dress and don my equipment. I arrived in the dining hall last out of all my companions. Aryon and Virisa were already seated, chatting with Gildee.

Virisa saw me enter and scoffed. "My boy, you needn't wear your armor and weapons while you're here." Her eyes turned to the burlap supply bag in my hand and she lost all semblance of mirth. All eyes turned to me as mother's voice turned serious. "You aren't really planning on leaving so soon, are you?"

I took a deep breath and nodded. "I'm glad to see that you're all safe, but I have a mission."

Aryon deliberately set his cup of tea on it's coaster. "I thought surely you'd stay, meet your grandmother. Maybe even wait to meet your cousins. You're not just an Urshar, you're an Aryon of House Telvanni. You should really take some time to get acquainted with Great House politics and perhaps do some research on the Ashlanders before going among them."

I smiled at the affection and caring I felt from them. I looked at Cindana who nodded approvingly before I faced my family again. "It would be selfish of me to take time for myself right now. The best way for me to take care of you is to keep the Empire off our backs. I need to go to the Ashlanders."

Virisa stood and circled the table to get closer to me. "Han lu, the task the Blades gave you, it's no small matter. He wants you to gain the following of all the Ashland tribes. A religious following. Do you understand the implications? This will likely take months or years and the more followers you gain, the more fame you will gain. Your name will be discussed over dinner tables all over Vvardenfell. If you claim to be the Nerevarine, you will be shunned by the Tribunal and all the temple's servants. You will be seen as a threat to the Great Houses who will ostracize you, try to discredit you, and possibly try to kill you. At the moment, you are a relative unknown. Surely you can take a little time for yourself. I fear once this starts, you will not know a moment's peace, maybe for the rest of your life."

I stumbled backwards, the enormity of the vision laid before me taking me aback. "I hadn't thought of that." At most, I thought I'd be working for the Empire for a couple years. I hadn't considered that this mission would set the course for the rest of my life. The mantle of Nerevarine wasn't something I could just lay aside once I was done.

At the edge of the room, Surane Leoraine stood, taking the room's full attention. "I fear I must remind you that Han lu's life is not his own and technically neither is yours, Virisa Urshar. You owe debts to the Empire and we are holding you to them. Your crimes lost you the opportunity to live peaceful pleasant lives as you wished. Han lu needs to go where he is told. This is a time sensitive mission. If you want to partake in social activities, I suggest you make do whenever Han lu can make his way back to the Great House lands. Han lu will be the Nerevarine or the Empire will carry out your original sentences."

It was clear that Aryon did not take well to being spoken to this way in his domain, but he held his peace. Virisa turned as if to retort, but knew the statement was true. I hung my head in defeat. "After breakfast, I have to go."

Surane nodded her approval and resumed her seat. The breakfast was a quiet affair with no one in the mood for light conversation anymore. Aryon called a slave and whispered into the Dunmer's ear. He scurried off and Aryon turned to me.

"The Ashlanders have a tradition of giving gifts to show your respect and goodwill. I feel almost powerless to assist you beyond the borders of the Great Houses lands, but I can at least furnish you with appropriate gifts to earn some trust in your first encounters with the tribes." The servant soon hurried back with a number of items in his arms. "You will have to decide which gifts to present to each elder. First a fine leather quiver and half a dozen arrows tipped with fine volcanic glass. Second, an amulet of calm creature, enchanted with a spell to ease the aggression of wild beasts. Third, a war axe forged from ebony. And forth, a book of alchemy with recipes for many useful potions."

The servant laid the things on the table for my company and I to divide amongst ourselves for transport. "Thank you grandfather. I'll make use of them as best I can."

Aryon then proffered me to approach him. The Master wizard withdrew a small leatherbound book from his own pocket and offered it to me. I opened it excitedly to see what knowledge the wizard would offer to me. "It's blank."

"Yes. You must fill it. Han lu, this journey will surely go down in the annals of history. When you come to be my age, you will be glad to recall the details of your past. Memory fades faster than you think and in time the world will thank you for telling this story from your own memory. I give you this and would give you my blessing, if you will take it." I nodded, heart beating anxiously, not exactly sure what a blessing entailed. "Take a knee Han lu."

I lowered myself, imperial armor rustling and Aryon placed a hand on my head and spoke reverently. "Han lu Urshar, with this blessing I send you with my best wishes and my prayers to the Tribunal. I call upon Almsivi to watch over you and bless you with their wisdom. Whatever trials the Gods have in store for you, may you bear them well and not be overwhelmed. I pray you will be blessed with wise and loyal companions on your journey and that the friendships you make will last a lifetime. Our fates kept us apart until now, but I wish to impart a few lessons before you leave once again. Choose your company wisely. Loyally protect your friends and mercilessly crush your enemies. Do not outpace your own strength. Invest in what is long lasting and meaningful and avoid flights of fancy."

As my Grandfather spoke, I felt a lump in my throat. His words were far from impersonal and although I didn't worship the Tribunal as he did, his heartfelt blessing pricked my heart. He had given me something deep and personal that nothing my father did could compare with. Aryon removed his hand and let me stand to embrace him. Aryon let go, but proffered at Virisa to join us and all three of us hugged once more. I bit my lip, hesitant to let go. The feeling that swelled in my heart was something I didn't know I'd been longing for. How could this man whom I'd only recently met, bring me such a feeling of solace and warmth? I didn't know. What I did know was that I still had a mission. I pulled away, sniffing and blinking to clear any evidence of tears from my eyes as I called for everyone to follow me. We made our way to the front gate, still flanked by two guards when Fargoth cried out, running after us in armor.

"Master Han lu. Would you like me to join you? I'd be happy to be of service if you'll have me."

I looked the lanky elf over and shook my head. "I'd feel much better if you were here watching over mother. The Empire is here now and I can't predict what will happen if I can't meet their expectations."

Fargoth nodded his understanding. I didn't have to worry whether he understood the full implications. "Very well sir, although you can bet that when Bargrum finds out you're alive, he'll come looking for you. If he returns, I'll send him to the Urshilaku camp. He still carries your sword."

"It would be good to see him again."

Fargoth threw an arm around my neck and hugged me roughly. "If anyone can do this, it's you. Now get going." The archer pushed me off playfully like an uncle would and I looked to Gildee.

"We go west!" She pointed towards the mountain range, posing dramatically for comedic effect.

"You're going west," Blue reminded them. "I'm going south, right Han lu?"

I nodded and took Blue aside by the shoulder. "Yes. Speak to Sugar-lips Habasi at the South Wall cornerclub. Tell her I sent you. Safia Dren is working for the thieves guild against her father. You might be able to trade favors for Neesha's freedom."

"Well, that explains why Safia is always going to the Temple in Balmora. She doesn't strike me as a terribly pious girl."

"Do you have enough money to hire a boat?" I glanced at the docks at the edge of Vos. "It'll surely be safer than walking back, now that we don't have to worry about the navy."

"The Empire was gratious enough to donate to our cause, remember," he asked with a sly grin. I realized he was referring to the money and goods we'd taken before burning the warehouse in Seyda Neen.

"Good good. I guess this is it then. I hope to see you again, sooner rather than later."

"And you my friend," the Argonian said clasping and shaking my hand. I hesitated to leave, making Blue raise his eyebrow. "Do you have something else to say?"

I pursed my lips. "Yes. When you meet Safia Dren, would you…" I paused, trying to think of what I wanted to say.

Blue's eyes lit up and he turned, hurrying away. "Say no more, I'll use my imagination."

Suddenly panicked, I yelled after him. "Just tell her I said hi! Don't you embarrass me Blue!"

"I can't hear you!"

I took off after Blue, but Gildee caught my arm, pulling me to a flat stop. "Woah woah. Tell who that you said hi? Are you seeing someone?"

"What are you…" I stuttered. "No, it's not like that. Get back here you scaleback!"

Gildee switched her grip to my ear and started dragging me West, over the grazelands toward the mountains. "We've got a couple days travel to get to the Urshilaku camp and I want to hear everything about this mystery girl of yours."

Cindana chuckled from a few paces behind, Gildee's antics drawing her from her. With good humored sarcasm, she asked herself, "This is supposed to be the great savior of Vvardenfell?"