Legend of Zayden: Nerevar Rising

by ParadoxBattleZone

An Imperial, with no past and no future, is sent to a foreign land with the vaguest whispers of a prophecy to lead his way, for he has been chosen by fate to right an ages old wrong and free the land from a long lingering doom.

12. Vivec City

Chapter 12: Vivec City

Caius Cosades recounted the tale of his survival and escape. He, Zayden, Hui, and Jeed-Ei formed a sitting circle beneath the boat canopy before it began, passing between everyone rations from one of the guars and a skin of flin Caius carried. The boy listened in as he continued to steer the pontoon. At one point even then ferrymen moved closer to the canopy and began eavesdropping himself.

The evening the Blades were able to capture Zayden was the same evening they attempted to kill Caius. Four other operatives rode to Caius's home upon horses deep in the night. Three of them dismounted to approach the home while a fourth remained outside acting as lookout. The three broke in through the front door with brute force. They came to the home expecting their target to be asleep and easy to apprehend. Little did they expect, upon entering, to be immediately attacked. The first guard received a face full of hot embers and Caius took his sword right from its sheath. As the first blade staggered backward clutching his face the remaining three drew their weapons and attacked Caius one by one. It was their mistake in assuming he would be a weak, defenceless old man. Caius fought and cut down each man dead until the burned man remained. The final man was slain before he ever recovered his vision.

Caius took from one of the Blades a crossbow, loaded it, and peeked out the open front doorway across the street. The remaining Blade was still on his horse waiting for the others to return. Caius entered the doorway and took aim at the Blade. Before he could make his escape Caius fired and the bolt struck deep beneath his right armpit. The rider rolled off the horse and struck his head hard upon the ground, knocking him unconscious.

Caius tossed the bow aside, ran to the body and dragged it inside with the others. He then grabbed a bag and filled it with enough supplies to last the next few days. Once settled he went to his bookshelves and set them ablaze before fleeing outside. He commandeered one of the four horses and spooked the rest into fleeing. Upon the horse he rode north for nearly two days straight, passing through Caldera, Ald'Ruhn, Maar Gan, and finally reaching Khuul before heading east to Urshilaku Camp. By then, regrettably, the horse had been run ragged and had to be put down.

Urshilaku Camp had been the place Caius previously visited to cure himself of his addiction to skooma. Part of his reason for picking this tribe over others was the known status of their wise woman, Nibani Maesa, as guide in the Nerevarine Prophecy and conduit to the word and will of Azura. It was to her that men and mer before Zayden had been sent only to end up failing. He knew if anyone could give him a new path forward it would be her.

Caius was welcome into the camp and immediately brought to the wise woman. In her yurt they shared food, drink, and peace pipe before Caius explained the new turn of events. It was obvious to the both of them that this attack by the Blades was their retribution for Caius's refusal to initiate Zayden into the prophecy. Caius's position as Grand Spymaster in Vvardenfell would be replaced with another and new hopefuls would continue to be brought in from all corners of Tamriel, if necessary. But this left the loose end of Zayden open, the last hopeful he ever received. Caius felt compelled to know if he was alive or had been killed.

Nibani pleaded with Caius for him to stay in Urshilaku Camp, believing that Zayden would inevitably bring himself here as per the prophecy. She reassured Caius he would have a home here where the Blades would never dare come. Caius understood her reasoning and was thankful for her offer, but insisted nevertheless needed to see for his own eyes Zayden's fate. Try as Nibani did she was unable to convince Caius otherwise, so she instead offered to gain insight through the goddess as to where he must go.

Nibani Maesa spent the next day in her yurt in deep, undisturbed meditation. She attempted to speak with Azura and ascertain Zayden's whereabouts. As this went on the crafters and weaponsmiths of the camp gave unto Caius new clothes, armor, and weapons for the journey back south, naming him an honorary Ashlander. After a day had passed, Nibani Maesa emerged from her yurt with a vision: Moon-And-Star and a house of pleasure in the Ascadian Isles. The camp donated a guar for his journey south and for another three days Caius cut through the Grazelands and the Molag Amur regions to reach Suran. And it was from that point Caius sold his mount and began visiting Desele's establishment every day until, as Nibani foretold, Zayden would cross his path.

In turn Zayden and Hui recounted their most recent adventures within Tel Fyr, meeting with Divayth Fyr and Yagrum Bagarn. This telling pleased Caius immensely, rightly recognizing Zayden's curing of his corprus as the completion of the Third Trial. When this second story was done, for a moment, no one else knew what to say, an air of uncertain silence lingering. It was finally Zayden who was the first to speak and attempt to lighten the mood. "At least one thing can be said of the Ashlanders, Caius: They somehow managed to improve your appearance."

Caius gave a hearty laugh like it was his first in years, sliding a hand over his freshly shaven head. Caius's face had changed as well, the skin around his eyes permanently painted dark blue with thin lines reaching down from the tear ducts and across the cheeks. The Ashlanders tattooed Caius as part of his honorary status. "It may not fool everyone," Caius admitted, "but it will have to do to protect my identity. I was willing to alter my face to find you, Zayden. If I could reach you before others did it would be worth it."

"But for what end, Caius?" Zayden questioned. "When I was first brought to you, you chose to abandon the Nerevarine Prophecy. You could have escaped and be living amongst the Ashlanders right now. Why involve yourself in this again?"

"I chose to no longer play a pawn's part in the prophecy," Caius clarified. "I have always believed the Nerevarine Prophecy would come to fruition, though I always had my doubts it would occur in my lifetime."

"But you are- were- a Blade, a hand of the Emperor himself, the order that now attempted to kill you… I had a lot of time to think about things during my stay in Tel Fyr. In particular, one thing I asked my Blade captors about but received no answer: Of what concern is Dunmer religious prophecy to the Emperor and the Cyrodillic Empire? What do they have to gain from it?"

Caius in response gave a grim grin. "Is it not obvious?" he said. "The Tribunal Temple is and has always been one of the greatest powers in Tamriel. Its existence has successfully staved off invading influence for hundreds of generations in Morrowind. The Empire may be great in size and numbers but all such powers fail when faced with the isolationism of the Tribunal. The Empire has been led by a dynasty of emperors but the Tribunal has been led by living gods, the same three since its inception. The faith of its followers is strong and unbreaking and against it the Empire can not win.

But that is only half of what keeps the Empire and others out of Morrowind completely. Their other foe is the same foe of the Temple itself: Sixth House and its leader, Dagoth Ur. His threat to the Empire and the world is obvious: the spread of the Corprus disease and Dagoth Ur's desire to 'protect' his people, the Dunmer, and turn all other mer, men, and beast races into his twisted, corprus vision. If this threat is ever to be defeated and the Empire is to ever expand into Morrowind both the Temple and Dagoth Ur must fall. And fortunately for the Empire, a prophecy exists to predict both…"

"The prophecy of the Nerevarine," Zayden spoke aloud. Zayden felt foolish for not having realized this earlier. "So the Empire would take advantage of this second coming of Indoril to move in and plant themselves into Morrowind permanently… The enemy of my enemy is a friend… You must have understood this was the intent all along, Caius."

The old man nodded. "Of course I did."

"Knew and believed in?"

For a moment Caius shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "Still believe," Caius clarified.

This admission shocked Zayden. "After the Empire attempted to kill you, you still believe in their cause?!"

"I was sentenced to death for failure to perform my duties, not for my lack of faith. The Empire may say otherwise but my reasons are my own. I believe in the Empire and see their expansion into Morrowind as an ultimate good."

"Do you see me as a tool of the Empire then, Caius?" asked Zayden. "A pawn? A useful fool to achieve your ends?"

Caius seemed to grow angry at these accusations. "You are my friend," Caius insisted. "I rode across Vvardenfell and back to see to your safety. I could, indeed, have much more easily stayed amongst the Ashlanders. But I chose not to."

"And now that you've found me alive and breathing, what will you do now?"

"See your journey to its end. Not for the Empire, but to bring peace to my soul. This I promise you, Zayden."

Zayden could not quite grasp Caius's reasoning, but he saw in his friend's eyes that he was no enemy. He was indeed still his friend. "How can you still grant the Empire any legitimacy, after how they've treated you?" Zayden asked.

"I could ask the same of you, Zayden," Caius retorted. "You currently travel to Vivec at this very moment, to meet with the Great Houses. Fulfill the Fourth Trial?"

Zayden had to admit, Caius was not wrong. "You… You did not experience what I did when I first wore Moon-and-Star," Zayden explained. "What I saw, what I felt… The memories of an entire lifetime, one lived centuries ago… It is all too impossible to ignore. Like you I now feel compelled- pushed forward- to understand what I saw and follow this new path wherever it leads me."

"And so it shall be the same for me," Caius stated, "and I shall aid you in all ways possible. I can prepare you for your meetings with the three Great Houses of Vvardenfell. What do you know of the Great Houses, Zayden?"

"Only what Divayth Fyr could tell, given his partially outsider's perspective. Of House Telvanni he could say the most: a house of wizards, entirely devoted to the study and exploration of the deepest mysteries of magic, largely unbound and unhindered by any sense of rules or morality. 'Might makes right' for them. Interestingly, it was his house that Fyr said to approach first, believing that they would take my request to be named Hortator with little seriousness, granting it out of pure amusement."

"That follows some logic," Caius commented. "I would only fear their xenophobia toward you, Imperial. The Telvanni are no allies to the Empire either."

"And of the other houses?" Zayden asked Caius.

"House Hlaalu, I think, would be friendly to your request. They are a merchant house, their chief interest being trade and commerce. They are naturally welcoming to the Empire and their customs, seeing them as invaluable trading partners. They would see your potential rise as Nerevarine much as the Blades would, as a chance for the Empire's expansion into the province and a way to increase their profits.

House Redoran, however, may prove difficult. They are a house rich in Dumner tradition and preserving warrior's honor. For this they are natural allies with the Temple. It is highly likely members will challenge you to fight for the honor of being named Hortator. Spilling blood may be an inevitability."

"What of the Temple itself? I recall Fyr saying something troubling, that members of the Temple may attempt to kill me if they catch word that I am claiming to be Nerevarine. Do you think this true?"

"Perhaps an exaggeration on his part," dismissed Caius with a slight chuckle. "Powerful as the Temple would be in Vivec City, the act of the city ordinators cutting down any and every crazy person claiming to be Nerevarine would create a lot of corpses and a stain on their reputation. Caution is advised but the guard, I believe, will be on good behavior. I'm actually glad you brought this up, Zayden. Before we speak to any of the houses, your presence must be made known to them. The leaders of the houses will not simply allow anyone demanding to be named Hortator before them. You may be forced, Zayden, to do what your time in the Thieves Guild has taught you not to do: become noticed."

Zayden laughed but pondered this possibility. It seemed like another inevitability, the implications of which frightening him. "It seems my days in the shadows and as a relative unknown are quickly coming to an end," Zayden mused. He looked to his friend Hui who still kept an arm around Jeed-Ei, the woman now wrapped in a blanket. "I'm sorry to entangle you up in all this as well, friend. You and Jeed-Ei."

"I would not have come with you this far if I was afraid of being in the public eye," Hui laughed. "You need not worry about me. I will remain by your side. Always."

"What of you, Jeed-Ei? This need not be your journey as well," Zayden then asked her. She did not answer, instead looking to Hui. "Is something wrong? Can she not speak Cyrodillic?"

"No, only Jel," Hui explained. "She can understand Cyrodillic well enough…" Hui took a moment to translate something to Jeed-Ei and she spoke something back, something that seemed to surprise Hui and turn his expression grim. They exchanged a few more words before he turned back to Zayden. "... She wonders, Zayden, what will Nerevarine do about the enslaved. Will you advocate for their release, or will you preserve the customs of 'your people?'"

The question struck Zayden like a hammer to his chest. It was something he obviously had not considered at all. Zayden's instincts guided toward the path of abolition, but his new nature conflicted. It was possible he was no longer simply "Zayden." He was now potentially "Nerevarine" as well, a titilage that held with it the future of the Dunmer people. Slavery was seen as an ancient birthright of the Dunmer, especially in the face of the growing Empire threat. The Empire had long ago forbid the practice but made exception for the Dunmer and Morrowind partially for that very aforementioned reason, but most knew that this status would not last forever.

Zayden now understood, as Imperial, and if truly Nerevarine, he would eventually have to decide on this practice. Abolition may be better done by a figure of Dunmer faith than an invading force. But for the former, revolt against taking such a position would be intense and seen as a betrayal of the Nerevarine onto his own people. Staying the course, conversely, weighed much more heavily upon Zayden's heart. This would result in a continued silent suffering of the enslaved people…

"Zayden?" Hui said. The Imperial realized that he had been silent for the last thirty seconds, lost in thought and staring blankly at the floorboards in front of him.

"F-Forgive me," Zayden replied. "Her question, it just… Tell her that I will work toward abolition, but I can not promise results." It was the best answer he could give whilst still being honest. Hui translated an answer and Jeed-Ei seemed to give an approving gesture back. Zayden suddenly found himself finding it hard to look her in her eyes. Zayden abruptly excused himself and retreated to an empty part of the pontoon. No one followed him and soon the others split off to do their own things to make time pass. Hui and Jeed-Ei continued to huddle together and the former began reading with the girl some of his shrunken magic texts. Caius returned to the boy and began paying dice games.

Hours would go on in relative peaceful silence. The overcast skies began to burn away as the vessel drifted south. Eventually the sun's light broke through and began to warm the soaked land. It was a late-day sun fortelling a near evening. It would be well into nightfall before anyone caught their first glimpse of Vivec City.

The city was an amazing marvel of engineering to witness, even in the deepening night they arrived in. Its main construction was seven large "canton" buildings, each as large in width and length as a small village and seemed just as tall. The structure itself was pyramid in shape with a rounded dome top, numerous stairs and walkways wrapping around their exteriors to numerous levels. Caius explained to Zayden, Jeed-Ei, and Hui the purpose of the main seven structures. There were two residential cantons, Saint Olms and Saint Delyn, an entire canton built for each of the three Great Houses, an arena canton, two cantons for the Temple near the southern tip, and a Foreign Quarter canton where their boat was bound to dock to.

The pontoon lowered its sail and the ferryman and boy paddled the rest of the way within the city's canals. Each canton loomed immense over the vessel and the waterways were crowded with small personal craft and floating market stalls. The air was alive with voices and abuzz with market sounds. The pontoon drifted past row after row of these stalls to reach the city's center where it cut right and began heading to the northernmost Foreign Quarter.

The boat finally hitched itself to a dock and in quick fashion a gangplank was extended onto it by a dock hand. A Vivec ordinator promptly let himself across the plank and onto the vessel to meet its ferryman and passengers. The Temple ordinators were clad head-to-toe in a ornate set of golden bonemold armor with royal blue kilt, tall shield and a uniquely distinct helm. The helm was a face mask depicting a stern and handsome elven face, the head crowned in a tall mohawk of bright red hair. For some unknown reason, upon first seeing this face in the helm, Zayden felt a connection to its visage, as if he should know who the mask depicted.

The ordinator first began talking with the ferryman before turning his attention to the company. He first spoke with Caius who had already dawned his helmet. The ordinator treated the "Ashlander" with intense suspicion, warning Caius to stay within the law and that the ordinators would be watching their every move. One could hear the guard mutter the word "scum" beneath his breath before he turned his attention to the Imperial.

"What's your business here, outlander?" he asked.

"Guild business," Zayden told him, "with the Guild of Thieves."

The ordinator chuckled. "No Thieves Guild in the holy city, fool. Not even here in the Foreign Quarter." Zayden, of course, knew this couldn't be true but decided to play along with the guard's ignorance.

"I did not mean that there was," said Zayden. "I am to meet with compatriots and travel out of the city with them."

This seemed to satisfy the guard and he then turned his attention to the two Argonian. "What about them?"

"The man is a friend of mine, not of any guild affiliation, and the girl-" Zayden paused for the briefest of moments. "The girl is my slave." The lie made the two Argonians flinch. "I've only recently bought her to be my friend's wife a few days ago. As you can see we have yet to purchase her any real clothes. Such will be our first priority in the city."

"If you deem it necessary," the ordinator dismissed. "Very well. Welcome to Vivec. Your beasts will not be allowed in the city. I will have someone come by and stable them on the mainland near the silt strider landing north of here." The company thanked the guard and began to disembark the pontoon.

The company ascended up a wooden stairwell onto the lowest walkway that encircled the Foreign Quarter canton. This like the water markets was bustling with people even at this later hour. Zayden mentioned to the others his intended destination; a book store in this very canton where he knew the Thieves Guild operated. They had only walked for a few minutes before Zayden was suddenly grabbed at the shoulder from behind by Jeed-Ei and spun around. She began to hiss and curse at him in Jel and only stopped when Hui pulled her back.

"She is angry you referred to her as a slave," Hui translated. "And I, for one, am not pleased with this either."

"I'm sorry, Hui," Zayden apologized. "It was only meant to be a cover story. It will be the last time she will be referred to as such, if it can be helped." Hui wearily accepted the explanation with a slow nod and the company soon continued onward. With directions from a city resident they were soon on the right path to their intended book store. They entered the Foreign Quarter canton proper into one of its lower levels, the canalworks, a narrow maze of hallways, plazas, and corridors, and home to a number of shops. Their intended book shop was on the eastern side.

Inside the company was met by the store's owner, a brown-haired Breton by the name of Simine Franilie. He quickly welcomed the group and asked if they needed any help looking for something in particular. Zayden answered, asking for a book on a gentleman named "Jim." Simine grinned and asked the group to follow him to a shelf near the back of the store.

Simine reached for an unassuming book on the shelf and plucked it out. Immediately after sounded a clank of a heavy lock and the entire bookshelf and the wall behind it swung inward revealing a stairwell leading downward. The group descended and the door shut and locked behind them, the stairwell entering into a small speakeasy inhabited by many fellow thieves. All the eyes of the room quickly fell upon the newcomers with suspicion but upon studying Zayden further they just as quickly began to ease their guard.

Behind the bar was a finely dressed Dunmer man that motioned the group over and immediately began serving everyone a glass of matze without having been asked. "Welcome, stranger," said the Dunmer to Zayden. "To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking to?"

"Blackcap Zayden, of Balmora," the Imperial answered. The thieves sitting closest to Zayden at the bar tuned their heads in recognition of the name, the Dunmer similarly raising an eyebrow and a grin.

"The very man who helped us expand in Pelagiad? 'Rat Slayer?'" Zayden rolled his eyes at the return of that name but chuckled just as quickly. "You've done the Guild a fine service, brother! Welcome to Vivec. Your first round is on me. So what brings you to this holy city?"

"I had hoped to speak with Jim, if it is possible. I have very important business to discuss. Not exactly guild related, but important nonetheless. Also, my Argonian friend is in need of some clothes, if some can be spared."

"I think we have something she can wear, certainly. I'll see if he is available. I'm sure he will want to speak with you, having known of your exploits. Take a seat anywhere." The Dunmer gestured to a table with four stools and the group sat down as the man disappeared through a back door.

It wouldn't be long before the Dunmer returned and led everyone behind the bar and through the same door. At the end of a short corridor was a medium sized office where Gentleman Jim Stacey himself sat in a plush ornate chair smoking from a fancy churchwarden. Jim Stacey was a Redguard with finely weaved and oiled cornrows atop his head and finely groomed moustache. He was dressed both oddly and extravagantly in navy blue tailcoat over a puffy white shirt, cream breeches, tall white socks and black leather shoes. He took notice of the newcomers and with a smile stood up to shake everyone's hand.

"Welcome to Vivec and my fine establishment," he greeted warmly. "You must be Zayden, Imperial. Rat Slayer. Grand work in Pelagiad! Visited the tavern myself a few weeks back. Ahnassi is a fine kitty and the Halfway Tavern shall make a good place for our brothers and sisters. I owe you a debt for your work, friend." Jim turned his attention to the others and introduced himself to them properly. "I am Gentleman Jim Stacey, 'Master Thief' of the Guild of Thieves in Vvardenfell. You have all already met my second-hand-man, Crazy Legs. I own the bar and he runs it." The Dunmer gave a quick bow before excusing himself back to his work.

Jim went to a cabinet and began making drinks for the company, this time Cyrodillic Brandy, making a quick statement on its good year. He served a glass to each person, intentionally giving Jeed-Ei her's last. As he did he gestured to a wardrobe on the other side of the room. "I'm told you're in need of clothing? I think I may have a few clothing articles that will fit you in there. Feel free to take your pick." Jeed-Ei beamed a wide toothy smile before bolting off to sift through the offerings. "And no, I'd rather you didn't ask why I have women's clothing in my wardrobe. Or Argonian women's clothing at that."

"I'll assume you have good reasons," Zayden dismissed, he equally wishing to change the subject.

"How are your masters, Blackcap? Sugar-Lips and Zeela? I haven't seen the latter since she was here planning the Hlaalu heist."

"She made it back well enough, but not without injury. She regrets she could not accompany me here."

"It is understandable she could not. A mess of a job that was, all said and done, lives lost as there were… So, what does bring you here, Imperial?"

"Perhaps we should sit before I begin. The story is long…"

Jim and the three others took seats on nearby ottomans as Jeed-Ei continued to search through the wardrobe. Zayden began by showing Gentleman Jim his ring, Moon-and-Star, and asked if he knew what it was. He did not, simply remarking on its craftsmanship and that one could probably fetch a pretty sum fencing it. Zayden explained the ring's true importance in detail and recounted to Jim all the events from after his kidnapping. As the story unfolded Jeed-Ei would hop back and forth from the wardrobe holding up a different article of clothing, showing Hui in particular.

Jim throughout the telling seemed to absorb the account quite passively, reclined in his chair and puffing away from his pipe. No particular thing, from being spoken to by Azura or meeting the Dwemer within the Corprusarium elicited any strong reaction, as if such things were common knowledge to him. Zayden had to be reminded by Jim that he had previously been to Tel Fyr and had stolen the Skeleton Key from Divayth Fyr. Jim took particular amusement when Zayden told him that Zeela now was in possession of the key. But regardless, when the tale concluded, Jim simply straightened himself in his chair and calmly stated "This has been a wonderful story… But what does this all have to do with me?"

"Uhh…" Zayden was initially taken aback from Jim's lack of concern. Hui and Caius seemed to share in the feeling. "Has nothing I said meant anything to you? Do you not believe me?"

"My 'belief' is not necessary, Zayden. In truth, I'm not sure I believe a single word of this story of yours. Oh I'm well aware of the Nerevarine Prophecy, don't get me wrong. I'm just simply having trouble believing it's you. But I believe you a sane man, and no sane man would come all this way to make up an unbelievable tale. So, what have you come here?"

"I was hoping you could help me. You did just say you owe me a debt, yes?" Jim nodded, cursing his big mouth. "Perhaps it can be done and over with now… I need to meet with the three Great Houses to be named Hortator. If you could-"

"Bride them all?" Jim interrupted. "That could be a hefty sum, collectively, and not everyone can be so easily paid off. Especially some of those Telvanni."

"Not bribery. To be named Hortator by a house I need the approval of each of its leading members. And if word and rumor of a Nerevarine hopeful began to explode from Vivec, they would have little choice but to come and see him for themselves. No one has an ear to the streets like you, and with your influence-"

"An underground propaganda campaign then?" Gentleman Jim asked. "Hmm… I like the way you think, Zayden. Should be easy enough to accomplish… Ok. Consider it done." Jim sat up and went back to his cabinet to serve another round of drinks. "I have my contacts high and low, naturally. I can get the word whispered on the lips of every man and mer in the city. And then the heads of the houses will still have to take the bait and travel to the city to conviene. This will all take time… At least a week, I'd wager. I hope you weren't expecting to return home soon." Jim served the drinks and returned to his chair and pipe. "And I can not guarantee results. I assume you'll be staying in Vivec for this time?" Zayden nodded. "Then you'll have to find your own flop to crash in. St. Olms and Delyn are residential cantons only for people who live in the cityu. And the Foreign Quarter only has so many places for people low on coin."

"It's not as if we are destitute," Zayden laughed. "I'm sure, with all our purses put together we'll manage. Thank you, Master Thief."

"Please, 'Jim' is fine. You've given to the cause so I am willing to give back." Jim raised his glass and proposed a toast for the days ahead. The others joined in and finished their glasses. It was around that time that Jeed-Ei returned to the others appearing to have finally chosen something to wear. To everyone's curiosity it was perhaps the poorest, least extravagant thing she had yet taken from within the wardrobe. It was a long, soil brown robe with heavy flowing sleeves over beige tunic, undershirt, and pants, all unremarkable in appearance save for the fabric's good quality. She naturally wore no shoes and she had already ripped a crude hole in a seam in the back of the pant and robe to slip her tail through. She further wrapped a light brown length of cloth around her neck and head, wearing it in a tagelmust fashion like the native people of Hammerfell. She returned to Hui's side and chuffed in approval.

"A fine choice," Jim commended with a chuckle.

Caius gave an amused sound as well. "Of all the things she could have worn," he mused, "she concluded with this?"

"Perhaps," said Jim, "she doesn't want to draw attention to herself? Avoid the attention of anyone looking to return her to her previous master?" The company blinked in stun at how accurate Jim's guess was. "What? It's not so hard to realize she's a stolen slave. Was this also your doing, Blackcap?"

"Hui's, more accurately," Zayden replied. "I helped him escape his chains and so he asked that I help her."

"The Thieves Guild is usually in the business of stealing things, not people. You do know Twin Blades exists for abolitionists, right? Freeing slaves may not be the best thing to get known for if you are Nerevarine."

"Yes. I've begun to come to terms with this recently. But perhaps change is possible?"

Jim did not seem to agree but chose to drop the issue. After a few more formalities and finishing their drinks the company said their thanks and farewells before departing the speakeasy and bookstore. It was now deepening into evening when the group stepped back outside. Even with her new vail over her muzzle, it was clear that Jeed-Ei was now grinning for her new clothes. She walked like a feather upon the wind once back outside and with enough room to dance about. Hui by extension grinned as he watched her, happy to see her smiling.

The company made its way around the canton and up to a higher level to seek out an inn. One was eventually found and a room was rented. Up onto that moment Caius had been reserved and quiet, choosing to retire to bed almost immediately. But upon the next morning Caius seemed reinvigorated and acted with a renewed purpose. He began with Zayden for the days until the head of the Great Houses arrived in Vivec to fulfill what his purpose in the Blades would have been and pick up lessons where Divayth Fyr left off. Caius committed himself to teaching Zayden everything he would need to know about the houses and what to expect in his quest to be named Hortator by them.

Life for Zayden began to slightly resemble his early days in the Thieves Guild, save for the sparring. Every evening became filled with study, Caius having permission to borrow books from Simine's shop. The sessions were relentless for Caius knew there was limited time to prepare Zayden for his task. As this went on Hui and Jeed-Ei would leave and come back to the inn room at their whim to pass time in their own way, usually exploring the markets for alchemical ingredients and visiting shops. Hui similarly took advantage of Simine's offer and began pouring himself into more books of spells, magic, and alchemy. Jeed-Ei, as much as she could force herself, watched and studied alongside Hui as he went about his work. She caught onto the basics but was less successful in implementing them but she nevertheless tried and tried again.

Outside the confines of their quarters, for the first two days upon arriving to Vivec, the city and its people carried on as normal. Then on the third day the whispers and rumors began to surface. A tavern drunk in St. Olms, a news cryer in the Hlaalu Canton plaza, beggars in the waistworks and markets. Gradually, Jim Stacey's pieces began to reveal themselves, doing their part to spread the word. To the general public of Vivec City, ones not aware of the inner machinations pulling the strings, the rumors appeared as if from the Void, naturally yet from pure nothingness. But Zayden and his company, of course, knew better, and when they left their quarters during the day they would hear more and more of these manufactured rumors.

When word of a possible Nerevarine hopeful finally reached the ears of the Great Houses, House Telvanni, with their ability as wizards to teleport, were the first to assemble within their canton. Then over the next several days riding parties from across Vvardenfell arrived to Vivec bearing the remaining heads of houses Redoran and Hlaalu, the former the last to fully assemble. When the three houses were finally assembled and prepared to have revealed to them this Nerevarine, the rumors of his arrival were at a fever pitch among the city's residents and with it came a problem not Zayden nor Caius quite expected.

As the rumors of the Nerevarine grew so did claims of other people within the city falsely identifying themselves as the Incarnate. The number of claims began small but exploded exponentially. The city ordinators had the unenviable position of sorting through every scam artist and false claim-maker claiming the title of "Nerevarine." While most were obvious fakes and liars and quickly proven false, some proved to be convincing candidates upon first inspection, some even going so far as to craft replicas of the Moon-and-Star ring. The number of new potential Nerevarine grew to such an amount that the city ordinators began to make a spectacle of them. For two hours a day, starting an hour after high noon, the guard began bringing candidates to the outdoor plaza in front of the High Fane in the Temple Canton, central building of the Tribunal Temple in both Vivec and Vvardenfell. The great floating stone Baar Dur and The Palace of Vivec, the layered pyramid of the Palace Canton where the demi-god himself was said to live, loomed to the south as if observing the whole spectacle.

The matter, for public benefit and amusement, was handled by odinators with an air of mirth to the proceedings. Candidates would be asked to stand upon a literal soap box to make their claim. Then, if the candidate had a ring they claimed to be Moon-and-Star, a slave was brought out to have the ring put on their finger. Naturally all else who were given the ring to wear lived and the candidates were swiftly taken away by guard to make way for the next hopeful. Rumor said that hoaxers were jailed and would stay for months while other more grim rumors said they were killed.

It was upon one of these spectacles that Zayden, Hui, Caius, and Jeed-Ei travelled to the Temple Canton. It had been ten days since Gentleman Jim first set his propaganda campaign into action. A sizable crowd of onlookers had already formed and at the present time of day the line of potentials were several deep. Zayden's friends wished him luck but stayed mixed amongst the onlookers as Zayden continued onward, pushing his way through the throngs of people to reach the front and catch an ordinator's attention. After a quick look of the ring the guard seemed eager to bring him into the line.

One by one the remaining men ahead of Zayden were brought upon the soap box to make their claim as Nerevarine, each met with the heckles and jeers of the crowd. On this day less than half the men brought their own forgery of Moon-and-Star and inevitably each was forced to take their ring off and put it on a male Khajiit slave. The rings all failed to kill the slave and the candidates were quickly whisked away to be jailed. It was not very long before Zayden was finally brought up.

Jeers of "Outlander" were spattered about as the Imperial was brought and stood atop the soap box. He was ordered to state his name and he gave it, then ordered to make his case. Zayden took a deep breath and announced to the crowd the truth.

"I was brought to this land, Vvardenfell, under capture and by order of Emperor Uriel Septim VII himself." Already jeers and mocking gasps emanated from the crowd but Zayden persisted through it. "I refused, at first and for years upon my arrival, to follow the prophecy and chose instead to pursue my own life and my own adventures. Through it I gained many friends, allies, and the love of my wife." The crowd began to mock with wolf whistles and, for a split moment, it actually managed to get Zayden himself to grin.

"But then," he continued, "my refusal to follow the Seven Trials became known to those who first captured me, and so they captured me once more. They brought me deep into the Ashlands, to the Cavern of the Incarnate, where the ring 'One-Clan-Under-Moon-and-Star' was held." Zayden held up his right hand and presented the ring to all. Again the mocking sounded.

"When I put the ring upon my finger I witnessed an entire lifetime, one of eras past, fragmented but true. I witnessed the life of Hortator Indoril Nerevar, his experiences, his greatest accomplishments… an, ultimately, his betrayal. His betrayal by the demi-gods of the Tribunal!" The mirth of the audience quickly turned to harsh rejection. A few stones came soaring toward Zayden, acts quickly met with punishment by the nearby ordinators. "I do not claim to know the Tribunal's reasoning, whether they be for good or ill. The results of their actions are all around us and speak for themselves… But I know their actions to be a betrayal. A betrayal of their trust of and from a friend. And as Nerevarine I will persist to hold the Tribunal gods accountable! Sixth House will finally fall, Dagoth Ur will be silenced, and the Tribunal will answer for their crimes!" More protest erupted but Zayden again persisted.

"It was during my capture I was also attacked by creatures of Corprus, the demons of Dagoth Ur! I became infected with their disease and was brought to the Corprusarium of Divayth Fyr, Telvanni wizard. It was under his care I spent many days where he was ultimately able to cure me of the disease, thus fulfilling the Second Trial of the Nerevarine Prophecy… I have no memory of my past of my life in the mainland before my first day in Vvardenfell, thus fulfilling the First Trial." The crowd now turned to groans of disbelief. Zayden once more raised his hand to display the ring. "And this ring, the true Moon-and-Star, fulfills the Third Trial!"

Zayden's hand was suddenly grabbed by an ordinator and examined. "It is an impressive forgery!" the ordinator announced to the crowd. "One that nearly fools a man of the Temple such as myself! But it is no doubt still a forgery. You now have your choice, outlander: put the ring on the slave and prove your claim false or come peacefully to the jail now."

The onlookers laughed and taunted the Imperial to put the ring on the Khajiit. Zayden knew he could not, understanding fully well that anyone else that would put on Moon-and-Star would die… Even though he never witnessed anyone else wear the ring… Suddenly, before the Tribunal Temple and the large crowd, Zayden's mind began to swim with doubt. Could his visions have been a product of his own imagination, manifested from a deep inner desire to want the prophecy to exist within him? What would he do if the Khajiit did put on the ring and lived?

"Speak, Imperial!" the ordinator demanded. "Make your decision!" The crowd joined in and began to chant their demand for Zayden to act. Zayden turned his gaze to the frightened slave standing across from him, then to his friends in the distance. Zayden knew what had to be done, but he could not make it happen to this innocent person. Regrettably, to prove his claim, Zayden had to make another wear the ring. But it would not be this slave.

Zayden turned around and met the gaze of the same ordinator's mask. "Do you doubt my claim as Nerevarine, holy ordinator?" Zayden asked him.

"Of course!" he replied. "I doubt your claim as all the others have failed in theirs!"

"You have already said you believe this ring a forgery. If that is the case…" Zayden removed Moon-and-Star and held it out in front of the Ordinator. "Show me the faith of you and the Temple. Put the ring on now and prove its illegitimacy."

The Ordinator took a single step back and a new type of jeering came from the audience, one now directed at the guard. But behind it there was a new silence. A sizable portion of the people remained still, now willing to merely listen. "I-I…" the Ordinator began. It was obvious that none of the Vivec guard had dared put on any of the previous forgeries themselves, instead subjecting slaves to the task. Now presented with this new challenge the guard was clearly taken aback. "D-Don't insult my faith, n'wah!" the ordinator cursed. "To wear such a fakery would be a blasphemy to the Tribunal Temple. Now put it on the slave and stop wasting everyone's time!"

"Hmm… Very well, holy sir. I do not want to do this, but I will not kill this innocent slave, so if you leave me no other choice-"

Zayden thrust the ring forward toward the ordinator's hand. He in response pulled his hand back but the ring managed to reach halfway down the first segment of one of his fingers. That much was all it took to render the ordinator crumbling backwards like a soaked blanket fallen off a clothes line. The crowd gave a collective gasp before becoming deathly silent.

The other nearby ordinators reacted by unsheathing their weapons and surrounding Zayden. One more rushed over to the fallen man, removed his helm, and quickly examined him. "By the Gods," he exclaimed, "the man is dead!"

The ordinators tensed up. They all clearly wanted to strike and cut down Zayden where he stood but none dared. A long moment held in the stand off, no one moving another inch. The ordinator that examined the dead body stood up and took slow measured steps toward Zayden, extending a shaking open hand. "Give the ring to me," he demanded, his voice equally affected. "I choose, of my own will, to gamble my life to test the ring once more…" He turned his attention to his fellow ordinators. "If I should fall as well, brothers, let it be known that I declare this man's claim genuine! Let no one further surrender their lives. Let this Imperial, Zayden, be declared 'Nerevarine!'"

The surrounding ordinators, one by one, began to lower their weapons. Another chilling silence fell over everyone as Zayden passed the ring to the guard. He took and held it for a moment in his palm, turned his eyes toward the sky, spoke aloud a prayer and slipped on Moon-and-Star. Just like the other he crumbled and fell to the ground dead. The onlookers gasped once more, some bursting into cries. There was no further denying it.

On that day, the incarnate of Hortator Indoril Nerevar was known to the city and word would soon spread across Vvardenfell and Tamriel like wildfire.

His name was Zayden.