Another chapter! Things are going to get very interesting from here on out... R and R!

Also, Larka will be making her first out of story debut soon in the fic The Dreamer, by Vvardenfell. Check it out! I myself can't wait to see how it turns out.

Ch 16

Larka gazed up at the shrine in awe. It was a magnificent structure, built long ago into the side of a mountain overlooking the ocean on Azura's Coast. The stone the shrine was made of was a beautiful soft purple and pink color and at the top of the structure there stood a large and glorious statue of Azura, the colors contrasting with the lush greens of the vegetation and the deep blue of the ocean in a lovely way. Slowly, because her pregnancy was increasing, she made her way to the door of the shrine. "Well Azura, perhaps it's time we met." She said as she pulled open the door and stepped inside.

The inside was a dimly lit and slightly musty place, yet Larka could feel the peacefulness and sacredness of where she was. Slowly she walked into the main room where another great statue of Azura stood towering over her in the semi darkness. Kneeling at the base she took a deep, steadying breath and spoke. "Azura, you watched over me when I was in need and I am ever grateful. I request an audience with you about my future here on the Mortal Plain and wish to know if the Daedra have a hand in it." Larka said clearly.

She kept her head bowed in reverence until a soft whooshing sound made her look up in alarm. At the foot of the statue stood the translucent form of a lady, whose beauty and grace were unmatched by any mortal. Azura, greatest of the Daedra stood before Larka, palms turned upwards in welcome, and tranquil and wise eyes staring at her appraisingly. Larka gasped in awe and bowed her head once more out of sheer respect and terror of the Goddess.

"You may rise, Larka WinterStar." She said, her calm voice echoing throughout the room. "It is rare that my Shrine gets visitors that are here in earnest. Speak your mind, I wish to hear your thoughts." She said.

"Yes My Lady." Larka murmured. "And I thank you for watching over me during the storm."

"A goddess who is forgotten by many watches over the few loyal subjects she has. You do not worship the Tribunal that have wrongfully taken the Daedra's mighty place." Azura said.

"I have found the Daedra more fit to my beliefs than the self righteous Man Gods." Larka stated.

"As you should." Azura said with a look of understanding. "Long have we watched you mortal, your path has been most difficult to trace."

"So no Daedra have a hand in my future?" Larka asked.

"It would appear that way; you seem to be completely independent from our will, though many have tried to control your fate, Sheogorath, Molag Bal, and Mephala to name a few." Azura said in response, Larka shivered, glad that none of these gods has succeeded in twisting her fate.

"So, you have no control over my destiny?" Larka asked.

"No, it is rare one such as you is created, and if they are most of the Daedra, myself included, would not hesitate to be rid of you." Azura said matter-of-factly, making Larka slightly nervous, once again reminding her of who she was talking with. "However, it seems you've survived, though Sheogorath was nearly successful using your rival, Jey, as a tool."

"Jey?" Larka said in astonishment, repulsed at the thought that she could have been under the influence of the mad god.

"Yes and he nearly succeeded, though again you defied us and returned, receiving help from a denizen of Oblivion… yes I know about your sojourn into Oblivion's blackness." Azura said, noticing the slight surprise on Larka's face. "Such a thing is rare and was even thought to be impossible, though the combination of powerful healing magic on the Wise Woman's part was fortunate." The Goddess said.

"Then how was such a thing as that possible for me?" Larka asked, thoroughly confused.

"You, mortal, are blessed with the ability of creating your own destiny, you simply decided you were not meant to die yet and provided yourself with the means of living… The last known mortal to have control of his own fate was Lord Nerevar of the Chimer." Azura said with a slightly raised eyebrow, Larka's eyes widened in surprise and confusion as she started to speak but Azura cut her off. "No child, you are not the Incarnate, if you were it would be within my power to guild your destiny, and yet… all things are revealed in time…" she said looking at Larka's belly with a pointed stare and then lapsing into silence.

The two remained silent for a long time; it was a calm and comfortable one, a silence that might have been shared by two friends after a long and tiring day. The two women simply stood and meditated on their thoughts. After a time Azura spoke once more. "It is unwise fora mortal to know the thoughts and plans of the gods, perhaps I have made a mistake in revealing what I have. You are different than most mortals WinterStar, I sense greatness and sacrifice in your life, and the path you walk will reveal itself to your consciousness in time. You, and your child, will do great things." The Goddess said with a wise smile. Larka smiled back in silent understanding and bowed her head, knowing her time with the Goddess was over.

"Farewell Larka WinterStar, we shall not meet again on this Plain." Azura said. Larka looked up; tears in her eyes, and the Goddess reached out one hand and with the lightness of a feather stroked her cheek before fading from sight.

"Many fall, but one Remains…" were the last whispered words of the Goddess. They echoed all around Larka and slowly died away, just as her first contraction occurred. Tyrade was ready to be born.