The Legend of Ajira
By Madame Ergoth
Chapter 21: The House of Azhbar
Kark grew silent again. "What?" asked Lini, staring at Kark's solemn face.
"Oh, nothing, just thinking." He smiled a little fakely at them. "Lets pick you girls out a weapon shall we? No charge." He chuckled.
Ajira went over to the shelf with the glass weapons. They had always been her favorite. She fingered a dagger made of deep green glass. The handle was engraved in Daedric writing, probably some sort of invocation. It felt mysteriously light in her hands. The green knife glinted in the pale light of the shop, giving off an almost magical luster. "Kark?" She looked up.
"Yes?"
"Is this weapon...magical?" She fingered the engraved handle carefully and slowly, as if in a trance.
He walked over to get a better look at it. He took it gently from her, being careful not to cut himself on the sharpened glass blade. He stared at the small dagger with as much awe as Ajira had. When he noticed the engraving on the handle, he reached out of his pocket and pulled a shard of clear glass. Holding it over the tiny engraving to magnify it, his lips moved silently, mouthing in Ancient Daedric the invocation on the handle. "
The power of the sword lies within the beholder
The strength of the beholder lies within the soul
The purity of the soul lies in Azura's hands
Please her, and all else follows.
"The power of the sword lies within the beholder. The strength of the beholder lies within the soul. The purity of the soul lies in Azura's hands. Please her, and all else follows." Kark murmured the words in a faint whisper.
"What does it say?" asked Ajira, tugging on his sleeve impatiently.
"This dagger has been blessed by Azura. Use it wisely." Kark placed the dagger reverently back in Ajira's hands.
Ajira felt so powerful just then, holding a dagger blessed by Azura. She was one of the highest deities, and she felt her presence wash over her as she gripped the dagger's pewter handle. She gave the dagger a few practice swings, feeling as though it were guiding her, not the other way around.
Lini stared at it admiringly. "It's beautiful," she sighed, watching the dagger sparkle and glow. "I can't believe it was blessed by Azura!" She smiled with a hint of jealousy toward Ajira.
"You'll need a weapon too." Kark patted her on the back. "Go find something, anything you want." Lini went off into the shop to begin her search.
It took Lini a bit longer to find a good weapon, because she had not had time previously to look around the shop like Ajira had. She went through the entire shop, carefully inspecting each type of weapon she saw. She tested a few for grip and accuracy on a practice dummy, only to put them back, complaining they were too light, too heavy, or too flimsy. It was getting quite humorous, as she always had some excuse to keep looking.
After two long drawn-out hours of meticulous searching, Lini was ready. Ajira had drifted asleep against the wall and even Kark was getting bored. The weapon she finally chose was a set of elaborate ebony throwing stars. They shone in the light, but not with the same magical luster as Ajira's dagger. Flowing gold designs were etched over the shiny black surface.
"Are you sure this is what you want? These stars have been made in the deepest parts of Red Mountain." Kark looked carefully at her decision.
"Yes, please." Lini took them from him politely. "I pride myself on my marksman skills."
"A marksman, eh? Where'd you learn that at?"
"I taught myself."
"How'd you manage? Marksman skills are quite hard to learn." Kark was obviously shocked that Lini had managed to train herself.
"Oh, you know, just scrounging around all the old bookshops in the Manor District of Ald-Ruhn." She seemed so casual saying this, like it was nothing.
"Did you live there?" While Kark was merely making conversation until Ajira woke, he couldn't help but be a little interested in the girl's story. He wanted to know all he could about her before he let her travel with him and Ajira. She could be another imposter, a spy for Dakosh, sent to foil their plans. As Kark listened to Lini's story, he wondered why he had never doubted Ajira. She was...different. No, he had never doubted her. But why? Kark couldn't quite discern why, but there was something in Ajira that just wasn't there in Ashikarilini. Something that made him want to trust her. Something special.
As it turned out, Lini had never properly lived in the Manor District, or anywhere in Ald-Ruhn for that matter. She was orphaned at the age of 6 and since then had depended on her wits and her thieving skills for survival. Lini drifted among all the bustle of Ald-Ruhn, quietly pocketing a shirt or a loaf of bread here and there. No one would suspect such a young Khajiit, so she had never been caught. In fact, the books that she had learned marksmanship from had been stolen, along with the few other possessions she owned.
"That's pretty amazing." Kark had to admit, nodding at Lini. He glanced over at Ajira for a moment. She appeared to be stirring.
Ajira's eyelids fluttered open, and she gave a small sleepy moan. "What'd...I...miss?" She blinked several times to clear her eyes. Standing up, she stretched and yawned, then looked inquisitively at Kark and Lini.
"Look at this!" Lini ran over to show Ajira her throwing stars.
Ajira was still half-asleep, but the sight of the glistening stars fully woke her. "I love them!" gushed Ajira, gazing at their perfectly chiseled points. "And you taught yourself!"
"Yep!" Lini took them back and pocketed them. She turned. "Well, I'm ready to go." She smiled at Kark.
"Not yet you're not. I have to officially initiate you into the Prophecy."
"What?" asked Lini with a confused face. Ajira looked the same.
"Pocket your weapons and come with me." Kark said in low, almost menacing tones.
They did as they were told and followed Kark out into the busy streets of Taryngoth. No one seemed to notice them; no one seemed to realize that the shopkeeper (or the shopkeeper's imposter) was dead. They drifted among the crowd silently, having to make huge strides to keep up with Kark's long legs.
"Where are we going?" yelled Ajira through the noise of the busy streets. She was panting from trying to keep up. Lini was not far behind her, panting as well.
"Are we almost there?" she moaned, coughing. "We've been walking for ages!"
"We're almost there!" called Kark from far in front of them. "Just hang on!"
After about fifteen more minutes of walking, Ajira and Lini were utterly exhausted. Kark looked at them and smiled. "Note to self: Train Ajira and Lini in Athletics!" He started to laugh. "Come on, it's just around the corner."
And indeed it was. A tall, ominous-looking building loomed before them, a dirty sign on the door reading House of Azhbar.1 The house was several stories, possibly five, but it was in a state of great disrepair. The whole house looked ready to collapse at any given moment.
"Why...are we here?" asked Ajira nervously, looking around.
Kark ushered them on, speaking in low tones. "This is the House of Azhbar. Inside you will be initiated into the Prophecy, and I will of course administer all the proper rituals. I've been through this many times, you see. Somehow, I am always the angel that has to help with all the Prophecy stuff. So whenever one is made, it is my job to find the subjects and initiate them."
"But why here, in this creaky old house?"
"Looks can be deceiving." Kark smirked. "Azhbar was a very famous prophet and mage, and this is his old house. It is said the house is still endowed with magical qualities, so naturally it makes it a great place for the Rites."
"Have all the Prophecies been Initiated here?" asked Lini.
"Almost all. All the ones I've been in charge of anyway."
There were a few moments of silence. Ajira was deep in thought. She was sure she had read about Azhbar somewhere...
"Kark!" called Ajira. "I remember reading about Azhbar!"
"Did you now? Then what did he do?"
"He made great strides in the fields of Alteration and Conjuration, and was a highly respected healer of the time. Among other things, he invented the art of Soul-Trapping, and also developed many alchemical formularies that the alchemists still use to this day. Azhbar was one of the most talented Wise Men of all time; he had over eight Prophecies, and all of them were fulfilled. He was very kind to all, and everyone loved him. That's why it was so sad when he fell victim to an unfortunate vampire attack. Dagoth Kous, Dagoth Almix, and Dagoth Vuyhe all ambushed him while he was sleeping. Some say a greater force sent the vampires to do their biddings, and others say the vampires were mad at Azhbar for banishing many of their relatives. No one knows, but everyone remembers him for all the great things he did."
Kark was speechless. "Wow..." he stammered, "You really know your stuff."
"Thanks." Ajira smiled. "You forget my mom is a mage. I read so many of her old books...that was about the only thing to do on rainy days. I'd sit inside all day and read story after story about the Great Mages. Azhbar was actually one of my favorites." Ajira sighed nostalgically.
"Then I suppose you know how the Rites go?"
"No, actually. I've never read about any Rites." She looked confused. "How do they go?"
"You're about to find out. Now you and Lini go sit over there--" he pointed to an old dusty couch, "--and I'll go prepare."
He left the room, heading down a long ominous-looking corridor. Ajira and Lini did as they were told and carefully sat down on the worn sofa. It creaked miserably with both of their weight on it. They tried not to move too much; they were afraid that it would collapse.
"I'm scared," whispered Lini, leaning over on Ajira. "What's going to happen to us?"
"I don't know," came Ajira's shaky reply. She was just as scared as Lini was. "Stay strong: Mesa adasi." She spoke in the ancient Khajiit tongue. Many thought it had been lost years ago, but it lived on the minds of the Khajiit folk. Many had been scared or intimidated into using Common in public; some had simply forgot. And yet it was still there, in the heart and in the mind of all living Khajiits: free or enslaved, poor or wealthy, peasant or noble. The Khajiit tongue was in them, bursting to get out.
A sharp intake of breath. Lini had never heard anyone use the Khajiit tongue, not even her family. Yet, she knew and understood exactly what it meant. Her reply came: "Ae pera: I will."
It was so strange, them sitting huddled together, speaking in the ancient Khajiit tongue. Sitting on a old creaky couch in the middle of an old mage's dilapidated mansion would generally be a very unusual circumstance. But circumstances had changed. Their whole lives had changed, and according to Kark, the whole world would change if they did not help.
Nearly an hour had passed. Lini was snoring peacefully, her head resting lightly on Ajira's furry shoulder. Her chest rose and fell so quietly and so calmly that it made Ajira tired just to look at her. Therefore, she decided to look around the room a bit. Anything to keep her mind off Lini's still body.
The room was very old; Ajira had expected that. A wooden plaque hung above the doorframe. It had been chewed out by termites and was nearly impossible to read, but she could make out the words "Haven", "Prophecy", and a word that looked scarily like "Death". She mouthed the words, almost without noticing, in Khajiit. "Grae...Yierm...Nox."
As she was looking at the strange plaque on the door, she heard the rush of magic. Spinning around suddenly, Lini's head was jarred. She began to moan sleepily. Ajira soothed her by stroking her ears calmly. But her own ears were pricked up and her muscles tense as she scoured the room. She thought she saw a strange glow...
"Ajira Ann. Ajira Ann Swhen." The misty voice came from out of nowhere. Ajira gasped, hearing her name called. Her full name at that! She looked wildly around the room, yet nothing was there, and nothing had been moved. Her Khajiit senses were tingling again. There was definitely something in the room.
"Who's there?" called Ajira into the empty room, her voice cracking.
"You know me." A rush of cool air blew past her, although all the doors and windows were closed. A quiet female voice whispered into her ear. "I see you have my dagger."
At this moment, Ajira nearly cried out. She felt cold invisible fingers digging like claws into her face. Was it really Azura?
"Yes, it is I, little Ajira. Do not scream, my daughter. I have come with a message." Azura floated down before her. The face of Azura was calm and soothing, different to the pictures she had seen of her. Ajira assumed that she, like most Immortals, could shape shift. Her skin was translucent, but gleamed a pale blue. Rare jewels adorned her forehead, and her eyes gleamed red. She was dressed sparingly in a flowing white dress that hung loosely off her slender body. Azura had slightly pointed ears, and an Immortal amulet around her neck. The ivory amulet was carved with her symbol: The Daedric letter "A"2.
Azura gently smiled upon Ajira, and began to talk. "Ajira Ann Swhen. You have been chosen by the Prophecy to rid Morrowind of Dakosh, a great burden for such a young one to bear. Are you up to the challenge?"
"I...don't know. I'd like to think that I am, but I'm not sure I can do this."
"Then listen to me. You were chosen by the Prophecy for a reason, and that is because the Elders truly thought that you were the best one for the job. You received my blessings when you chose my dagger. They will empower you to do whats right along your perilous journey. It will by no means be easy, but it is necessary. The fate of Morrowind rests in your paws. You have been given a gift, a privilege: the power to change the world for the better. Do not be scared, because I will always be with you, to offer guidance. You may not be able to see me, but I am always present. And still I'd like to give you another gift. Come forward, my daughter." She spotted Ajira eyeing Lini nervously. "Do not worry. She will sleep." Azura spread her hands over Lini and a shower of blue sparkles rained down upon her. "You see?" Lini gave a small groan, and slumped over into a deep slumber.
"What did you do to her?" Ajira whispered fearfully, afraid Lini would not wake.
"It is only a simple sleeping spell. She will wake as soon as I leave. We must hurry; the angel Kark will be back any minute to do the Rites." She made a strange sound, something like clearing her throat. "I want to tell you Ajira, before I leave. The task before you is a mighty one. You may never return to your homeland. You may die in this quest. But remember why you are here--you and your friend fight for the sake of the world as we know it. You cannot allow Dakosh to take over power of Morrowind. He must be defeated at all costs. Therefore, I give you my blessings..." Ajira found herself suddenly glowing with white light. She felt so empowered. "...and these, to help you on your journey. Above all else, Ajira, remember strength, remember bravery, remember faith, and most of all, little one, remember love." Azura patted Ajira lovingly on the head and vanished in a tornado of blue light.
Ajira was awestruck. Had that really happened? She stared at the rug where Azura had stood. It was so surreal. A tiny stain remained where Azura had vanished, but it was unnoticeable against the tattered rug. A small lump was visible under the rug. She started toward it, wondering what it was.
But Lini had started to stir, and Ajira spun around watching her. Lini began to move, yawning deeply. "What'd I...miss?"
1 Azhbar is pronounced ash-BAR
2 The Daedric letter "a" is A